Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What Does SEO Cost for Small Businesses?
Small business SEO typically costs $300–$1,500 per month when working with a freelance consultant. One-time setup projects range from $500 to $3,000 depending on site size and competitive landscape.
Floor
$300
per hour
Typical
$800
per hour
Premium
$1,500
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Local vs. national targeting
- Industry competition level
- Current site health baseline
- Whether content creation is included
- Number of target keywords
- Reporting requirements
Real quote breakdowns
Local Bakery
A single-location bakery wanting to appear in 'bakery near me' searches.
Breakdown
GBP optimization, 1 local blog post/month, citation monitoring, monthly report.
Independent Accountant
A solo CPA practice targeting small business accounting clients in their city.
Breakdown
Local SEO, 2 service pages optimized, review strategy, monthly ranking report, quarterly strategy call.
Regional HVAC Company
A 10-person HVAC company serving a metro area and 3 surrounding suburbs.
Breakdown
Multi-location local SEO, GBP management for 2 profiles, seasonal content, link building, bi-weekly reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Is SEO worth it for a small business?
Yes, for most small businesses with local or online competition. Organic search is one of the highest-ROI channels long-term — but results take 3–6 months and require consistent effort.
What's the minimum budget a small business needs for SEO?
For a freelance consultant, $300–$500/month can cover local SEO basics. Below that, you're better served by a DIY approach using free tools until budget grows.
Should a small business hire a freelancer or an agency for SEO?
Freelancers usually offer better value for small budgets. Agencies typically have minimum retainers of $1,500–$2,500/month and assign junior staff to small accounts.
How do I show ROI to a small business SEO client?
Connect SEO metrics to business outcomes: track phone calls from organic search (via call tracking), form submissions, and, if e-commerce, revenue attributed to organic traffic.