Before you begin your search for a suitable agency, formulate answers to two key questions:
How much are you willing to pay? What ideal results do you expect to achieve?
The budget and timeline for your promotion will depend on these factors. Why? Let’s break it down.
About Timelines and Results
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, and it takes time to see noticeable and stable results.
Initial Results (3-4 months)
After starting collaboration with an SEO agency, you should expect initial results within 3-4 months. During this time, the focus is on analyzing your website’s current state, fixing technical errors, optimizing content, and creating an initial promotion strategy. Real changes in rankings and traffic are usually not immediately noticeable.
Hypothesis Testing (5-6 months)
After forming a strategy and obtaining initial modest results, specialists conduct tests of various hypotheses. This is necessary to understand which of the implemented changes are truly effective and which ones should be abandoned. During this period, the monitoring of website metrics, such as SERP positions, traffic quantity and quality, conversion rates, and more, takes place. This allows for adapting the strategy to real changes in positions and user behavior.
ROI on SEO Investment (1-1.5 years)
Even if you begin to notice initial positive results a few months into your SEO campaign, long-term return on investment is of paramount importance. Why? Because SEO is an investment in the future of your business. Over this timeframe (1-1.5 years), you will not only see a steady increase in traffic and sales but also evaluate how your SEO investments compare to other marketing strategies.
Certainly, these timelines can be intimidating. But the key is understanding that quality SEO takes time. It is an investment that, when approached correctly, will yield stable and long-term results.
About Pricing
In the SEO industry, like any other, prices can vary depending on numerous factors. When it comes to SEO service prices, it’s essential to understand that you’re not just purchasing a service package; you’re acquiring expertise.
Cost and Expectations
When determining your SEO budget, many companies ask, “How much will it cost?” The answer to this question can vary based on factors such as the scope of work, your business’s specifics, and promotion goals.
Let’s start with the obvious: the cost of the service often correlates with the quality and extent of services provided. But one of the main principles is that cheap doesn’t always mean poor quality, and expensive doesn’t always mean good. Instead of seeking the lowest cost, ask yourself: “What do I want to achieve, how much can I invest, and what are my long-term goals?”
To make it easier to answer these questions, you can establish some average price ranges in the market.
$600 – 1K per month
For small businesses. The budget can vary, but many companies in this category invest in the range of $600 – 1K per month. This typically involves basic optimization work and local promotion.
$1K – 2K per month.
For medium and large businesses. Such companies usually seek a more comprehensive approach to SEO, including content marketing strategy.
$2K per month and above.
For large projects and ambitious goals. Here, the cost can start at $2K and go higher. It usually includes comprehensive strategies, multi-level campaigns, and work in highly competitive niches.
Numerous factors affect the price
Remember that the price depends not only on the volume of work but also on the complexity of your project, your website’s current state, the competitive environment, and many other aspects. For example, promoting a website in a small town will be significantly cheaper than in New York.
Your budget can be of any size, and its magnitude directly affects the speed of achieving results.
About Choosing an Agency
Understanding the answers to the two aforementioned questions (about expected results and how much you’re willing to spend) will provide you with a clear understanding of your goals and expectations.
But what comes next?
Below is a checklist of standard criteria to consider when selecting an agency, in addition to price.
Experience in your industry. When choosing an agency, pay attention to their experience in your specific industry. Each industry has its unique aspects, and a strategy that works for one may not be suitable for another.
Case studies. Cases demonstrate an agency’s competence. They showcase real results and allow you to evaluate how successfully the agency handles tasks.
Ensure expertise. You can do this by reviewing the agency’s publications on social media, blogs, expert participation in industry conferences, educational courses, and seminars.
Reviews and recommendations. Don’t forget to take into account feedback from other clients about the agency. This will help you understand how reliable and professional your potential partner is.
Promotions and discounts can help you find a favorable offer.
Conclusion
Choosing a partner for SEO promotion is, first and foremost, a strategic decision. When the time comes to make this decision, two key questions can guide you: “How much are you willing to pay?” and “What ideal results do you want to achieve?” These questions not only help determine the budget but also provide an opportunity to understand the goals you set for your future partner.
It’s essential to realize that these questions are interconnected. High ambitions and expectations require corresponding investments. However, despite the importance of the financial aspect, the most crucial thing is the desire for a high-quality result. Approach the choice of an SEO agency consciously, analyze experience and competence, and your investment will be justified. Successful partnership and promotion of your business online are built on well-formulated questions and long-term perspective.