What Affects the Price of SEO for Small Businesses?
By ERIN LARISON
COO, Larison Media
If you’ve ever tried to price SEO for your small business, you’ve probably seen quotes that are all over the place. One agency says $400 a month, another says $3,000.
So what gives? Why does SEO pricing seem so inconsistent?
The short answer: it depends on what you’re getting. The long answer — and the one that helps you make a smart decision — is that SEO pricing depends on your market, your goals, and how much work it takes to get results.
Let’s break that down.
1. Your market and competition
If you’re in a smaller town where only a handful of businesses are fighting for the top spots on Google, your SEO can be more affordable. But if you’re in a larger or more competitive area — say, you’re a contractor in Nashville or a boutique in Phoenix — it’s going to take more time and effort to get noticed.
More competition means more content, more backlinks, and more time invested. That’s why smaller markets might spend $750 to $1,500 a month, while businesses in bigger, more competitive cities often invest $1,500 to $3,000 or more.
2. What’s actually included
“SEO” can mean very different things depending on who you’re talking to.
Some companies only make small website tweaks or post a couple of blogs. Real SEO includes strategy, keyword research, content creation, local optimization (your Google Business Profile, citations, reviews), and ongoing updates.
That full-scope approach takes more work — but it also delivers better, longer-lasting results.
3. Your website’s foundation
If your website is outdated, slow, or wasn’t built with SEO in mind, part of your investment will go toward fixing those issues first.
That might sound like an extra expense, but it’s really step one. You can’t build long-term growth on a shaky foundation.
4. Your goals and timeline
SEO takes time — usually several months before you start seeing consistent results.
If you’re patient and want to grow steadily, your plan can be more modest. If you want faster results, like expanding into new service areas or launching new products, that means a higher level of effort — and a higher price point.
5. The expertise behind it
Not all SEO partners are equal. Some just “do SEO.” Others understand your industry, your audience, and how people actually search for businesses like yours.
That difference in expertise shows up in both price and results.
So what should a small business expect to spend?
Most local businesses that see meaningful results invest between $1,000 and $2,500 per month in SEO.
Could you spend less? Sure. But cheap SEO usually means shortcuts — and shortcuts don’t bring customers.
At Larison Media, we focus on results that matter: being found by the right people, driving real leads, and building long-term visibility that actually grows your business.
If you’re ready to see what that could look like for you, let’s talk. We’ll walk through your goals, your market, and what kind of SEO plan makes sense for your budget.
