How much does SEO cost?
In a survey of SEO providers by Ahrefs (updated Aug 15, 2024), the most popular monthly retainer was $501 to $1,000, and 42.8% of respondents charged between $501 and $2,000 a month. Prices vary by provider and scope, so ask for a written list of what will be done and a price for that list. Doing some of it yourself costs only your time.
By the Full Board AI team. Updated October 2026.
Source: Ahrefs, "SEO Pricing" survey of SEO providers (ahrefs.com/blog/seo-pricing), read Oct 13, 2026. It surveys SEO providers, not plumbers or roofers, so treat it as a rough guide.
How to compare quotes
- Ask for the exact deliverables each month: pages, fixes, listings, reports.
- Ask how they report, and which numbers they will show you.
- Ask who does the work and what you must provide.
- Avoid anyone who guarantees a ranking. Google says it never accepts money to include or rank sites in its search results.
- Remember that you are responsible for the actions of any company you hire, Google says.
Source: Google Search Central, "Do you need an SEO?" (developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/do-i-need-seo), read Oct 13, 2026.
FAQ
Can I do SEO myself?
Many basics are free: your Business Profile, clear service pages and review requests.
Monthly or one-time?
Both exist. One-time work fixes a site. Monthly work keeps adding pages, listings and reviews.
What should I measure?
Calls, form fills and booked jobs from search.
Not sure where your business stands on these today? Our free Missed-Calls Map preview shows which competitor shows up first in each town you serve.
Where to go next
See the full set of answers, learn what Full Board AI does, get the full trade playbooks, read the pricing guide, or just preview your Missed-Calls Map, free.
See where your local marketing really stands.
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