SEO for a small business often costs a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month. Ahrefs' survey of 439 SEO professionals, updated 15 August 2024, found SEO costs about $2,917 a month on average, local SEO about $1,557 a month, and that 23% of SEOs charge $500 to $1,000 a month. Your own price depends on your market, competition and how much foundation work is needed.
By Trux Nguyen, Founder and Director of Unitrux, with 5 years in marketing and SEO. Published 25 October 2026. Last updated 25 October 2026.
Market figures
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Average monthly SEO cost | $2,917 |
| Average local SEO cost | $1,557 per month |
| Share charging $500 to $1,000 a month | 23% |
| Average hourly rate | $111 |
| Agencies vs freelancers | Agencies charged 138% more on average |
Source: Ahrefs survey of 439 SEO professionals, updated 15 August 2024.
What drives the price
Competition in your city and category, the number of locations and services, the state of your website, and whether you also want AI search visibility work. A single-location plumber in a small town needs far less than a multi-location clinic in a big city.
How to budget
Start with an audit, fix the foundation, then fund ongoing work in proportion to what one new customer is worth to you. If one job is worth $5,000, the maths of SEO looks very different from a business where one sale is worth $50.
How we quote
Itemized, month-to-month, starting with a free AI visibility audit.
Related reading
- SEO Cost per Month
- Local SEO Pricing
- SEO Packages for Small Business
- AI SEO for Small Business
- AI SEO Pricing
- Is SEO Worth It for a Small Business in 2026?
- SEO Audit Cost
- What to Look for in an SEO Contract Before You Sign
- SEO KPIs That Matter in 2026
- All SEO guides for business owners
About the author
Trux Nguyen is the Founder and Director of Unitrux, with 5 years of experience in marketing and SEO. Areas of work: SEO, AEO, GEO and AIO, local SEO, content strategy, schema markup, keyword research, Google Ads and analytics. Contact: [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Is cheap SEO worth it?
Very cheap SEO often means automated or risky work. Look for clear deliverables.
Can I pay per result?
Some providers offer it, but results definitions are easy to game. Read terms carefully.
How long before I see a return?
Usually months, not weeks.
Limits and honest expectations
Search engines and AI assistants change their answers over time and no one controls them. Results vary by industry, city and competition, and we do not guarantee a position, a mention or a number of leads. We report what is measurable, plainly.
Sources
- Ahrefs, "SEO Pricing: How Much Does SEO Cost? 439 People Polled," updated 15 August 2024: https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-pricing/
- Google Ads Keyword Planner, volume ranges and bid estimates for the keywords named in this article, retrieved 25 October 2026.
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