How much should you really budget for SEO?
Here’s the truth: SEO pricing is all over the place.
Some businesses spend just $500/month.
Others invest $10,000+.
And if you ask an agency, you’ll probably hear: “It depends.”
That’s why we built the SEO Cost Calculator.
Instead of guessing, you can plug in your details and get a data-backed estimate in seconds.
Let me show you how to use it (and how to actually interpret the results).
Step 1: Know What Each Input Means
When you open the calculator, you’ll see a mix of dropdowns and sliders. Each one represents a factor that directly impacts SEO pricing.
Here’s what they mean (in plain English).
Service Level
This sets your starting price point.
- Freelancers = budget-friendly.
- Agencies = comprehensive (but pricier).
- Consultants = strategy-first.
For example, agencies typically start around $3k–$5k/month, while freelancers can be as low as $1k.
Physical Location
More branches = more local SEO work.
Each location needs its own business profile, citations, and landing page.
Target Audience
Local campaigns are usually cheaper.
National or global campaigns?
More content, more links… more budget.
Aggressiveness
Want slow-and-steady growth?
That’s one budget.
Want to sprint?
Expect to invest more.
Pages to Optimize
A 10-page local site is cheaper to optimize than a 200-page e-commerce store. No surprise there.
Sliders (Competition, Age, Rankings).
These are multipliers. For example:
- A brand-new site in a competitive niche = higher costs.
- Already ranking on page one? Your budget drops.
💡 Pro Tip: Play around with these sliders. You’ll see exactly how competition, site age, and keyword positions impact your monthly spend.
Step 2: Hit “Calculate” and Check Your Range
Once you’ve filled everything in, hit the button. The calculator will give you a monthly investment range.
Example: $3,200 – $5,400 per month
Here’s how to read that:
- The low end is your best-case scenario (low competition, stronger starting point).
- The high end is your “battle plan” budget (think aggressive campaigns, tough industries).
Let’s walk through a scenario.
Say you choose “Agency” as your service level. Target “National.” Add 50 pages. Set competition to medium.
The calculator might spit out something like $6,500 – $9,000 per month.
That doesn’t mean you have to pay $9k. But if an agency quotes you in that range… you won’t be shocked.
Step 3: Use Your Results to Plan Smarter
Now you’ve got a number.
Here’s what to do with it.
Budget realistically
If the calculator says $2,000–$4,000/month, don’t expect to dominate nationwide on a $500 budget.
Compare paths
Switch between freelancer, local SEO, and agency. Notice how the pricing changes. that’s what you’re really paying for.
Prioritize
If the high end makes you sweat, start small. Go local. Optimize 10–20 key pages.
Build momentum, then scale up.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the calculator as a planning tool. Run different scenarios (“what if we add another location?”). It’ll help you forecast SEO spend as you grow.
Industry Data You Should Know
And just to back this up with real data:
- A survey of 250 U.S. businesses found the average SEO spend is $2,500/month.
- Hourly rates average $51/hour.
- Small businesses usually spend $100–$2,500/month.
- Enterprises often invest $5,000+ per month.
So if your calculator result is somewhere between $3k–$5k? You’re not alone. You’re right in line with what mid-sized businesses are already spending.
Final Word
SEO pricing feels like a black box. But when you break it down by service level, scope, and competition… it’s actually pretty logical.
The SEO Cost Calculator just makes those numbers visible.
So give it a try.
Test different scenarios.
See how your monthly range shifts.