An SEO consultant gives expert advice and strategy; an agency usually also does the work. Hire a consultant when your team can implement, and an agency when you need delivery capacity. Ahrefs' 2024 survey found consultants average about $3,250 a month.
By Trux Nguyen, Founder and Director of Unitrux, with 5 years in marketing and SEO. Published 25 October 2026. Last updated 25 October 2026.
Consultant versus agency
| Consultant | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Main value | Strategy and advice | Strategy plus delivery |
| Best when | You have people to implement | You need hands as well |
| Typical cost (Ahrefs 2024) | About $3,250 a month on average | Agencies charged 138% more than freelancers |
Our expert view
We work in both modes: advisory for teams that implement themselves, and full delivery for those that do not. The deciding question is who will do the work.
Demand
In Google Keyword Planner (United States, retrieved 25 October 2026), "seo consultant" shows 1,000 to 10,000 monthly searches, with top-of-page bid estimates around $43.
Related reading
- Hiring an SEO Freelancer vs an Agency
- What to Look for in an SEO Contract
- SEO Audit Cost
- SEO-Friendly Website Design
- SEO Migration
- Shopify SEO
- 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 a consultant cheaper than an agency?
Sometimes per month, but you supply the implementation.
What should a consultant deliver?
A clear, prioritized plan and regular review.
Can a consultant handle AI search strategy?
Yes, if they track and understand AI visibility.
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
- Google Ads Keyword Planner, volume ranges and bid estimates for the keywords named in this article, retrieved 25 October 2026.
- Ahrefs, "SEO Pricing: How Much Does SEO Cost? 439 People Polled," updated 15 August 2024: https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-pricing/
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