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What should I charge for SEO services?

by Coby
11 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hey Warriors,

I was approached by an offline company that has an online e-commerce site to do some SEO work for them. For specifically they want to rank on the first page of Google. I have analyzed the competition (I actually have non-competing sites in the same niche) so I know I can do the job easily...

But how much do I charge? I know there is normally an upfront fee and a recurring monthly fee or something...

They have already hinted at needing work for a site/company they are purchasing soon as well, so I think this could turn out to be a very good long-term relationship.

I really have no clue where to start with the pricing. They implied they weren't afraid to pay, but I want to be fair to them while also making it worth my time...

What do some of you warriors charge for similar services?

Thanks in advance
#charge #seo #services
  • Profile picture of the author Al_Warrior
    First of all, never under promise. If you think you can rank high in 3 months, tell them that It will take you 4-6 months to get it done, when they see results before what you promise, they will be amazed about your service.

    I think, you should charge 2 fees: The first one would be to make them rank in first page or position and the second one would be a monthly fee to maintain that position. You know SEO is a never ending process, unless you have a super-duper authority site.

    To test the waters and since this is your first gig of this magnitude, you can tell them around $2-3k to make them rank high (some companies have packages of $10k!!) And maybe a small monthly fee of $199 to keep that position once you are in first page.

    I hope this would help....cheers....
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    • Profile picture of the author Coby
      Originally Posted by Al_Warrior View Post

      I think, you should charge 2 fees: The first one would be to make them rank in first page or position and the second one would be a monthly fee to maintain that position. You know SEO is a never ending process, unless you have a super-duper authority site.

      To test the waters and since this is your first gig of this magnitude, you can tell them around $2-3k to make them rank high (some companies have packages of $10k!!) And maybe a small monthly fee of $199 to keep that position once you are in first page.

      I hope this would help....cheers....
      Cool, this is about what I was thinking, with the two fees. I was actually thinking 200 a month maintenance fee plus 1k to rank... So we are on track.

      Thanks for the input Anyone else like to chime in?
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
        I don't typically do anything less than $500/monthly for just SEO work.

        A lot of my work is in the $800-1200/month range.

        One question I like to ask is, "What is your monthly advertising budget?" Or "How much are you currently spending on print advertising?"

        These questions give you a good idea of what you can present for a price without making their eyeballs pop out of their heads.
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  • Profile picture of the author robertwin45
    I think one of the biggest factors is establishing yourself in the market and as your reputation grows people will be willing to pay more for your services - this takes some time (and we're not there yet) but I'm confident that this will see an end to the aforementioned issues.
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    • Profile picture of the author Coby
      Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

      I don't typically do anything less than $500/monthly for just SEO work.

      A lot of my work is in the $800-1200/month range.

      One question I like to ask is, "What is your monthly advertising budget?" Or "How much are you currently spending on print advertising?"

      These questions give you a good idea of what you can present for a price without making their eyeballs pop out of their heads.
      They mentioned they were spending $600 a month advertising on the niche's largest forum. So the $500 a month might fly...

      Originally Posted by robertwin45 View Post

      I think one of the biggest factors is establishing yourself in the market and as your reputation grows people will be willing to pay more for your services - this takes some time (and we're not there yet) but I'm confident that this will see an end to the aforementioned issues.
      This is why they approached me, they are aware of several of my sites that rank on the first page of Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author dungdenvn
    It's different price for different service. What are you offering ?
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    • Profile picture of the author Coby
      Originally Posted by dungdenvn View Post

      It's different price for different service. What are you offering ?
      Here is what they want....

      To rank on the first page and stay there.


      So, this would include link building and monthly maintenance.
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  • Profile picture of the author dadamson
    Work out all the costs involved in hiring people, software, or any other expenses that might be involved, add them all together and add in your time, and there is your price.

    I recommend doing a few different packages to cater for different client demands,

    Cheers,
    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author robertwin45
      Originally Posted by dadamson View Post

      Work out all the costs involved in hiring people, software, or any other expenses that might be involved, add them all together and add in your time, and there is your price.

      I recommend doing a few different packages to cater for different client demands,

      Cheers,
      Dave
      I totally agree with Dave at this point. Once you gain your reputation, it's easy for you to charge higher than normal because they completely believe in you.

      The price should classified into separate parts: Site Review + Consulting, On-page SEO/code, Link Building, Monthly Retainer for Ongoing SEO...Charging per page can give the customer a lot of flexibility. Depending on their budget, they can decide the amount of work they can afford.
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    • Profile picture of the author Coby
      Originally Posted by dadamson View Post

      Work out all the costs involved in hiring people, software, or any other expenses that might be involved, add them all together and add in your time, and there is your price.

      I recommend doing a few different packages to cater for different client demands,

      Cheers,
      Dave
      Cool. I plan to do most of it myself. Might eventual outsource the link building. I don't plan on adding anymore clients or focusing on this biz model. I just want to take on this one client for the moment and go from there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sweely99
    Well, since they were the ones approaching you -- I don't think you should be too worried about charging them a lot. I mean, they were the ones contacting you after all
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