How Much Does an SEO Expert Cost in 2024?

Your business might get to new heights traditionally. But this is for a shorter term. At the end of the day, your business will work in your favour if the search engine wants to. Thus, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) needs to come into play to make your business stand out from the crowd in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs). Though there are various benefits to SEO, you as a service seeker must first determine the cost of SEO in order to identify the best fit for your business’s digital presence goals. This blog post breaks down the factors that influence pricing, helping you understand what contributes to SEO costs and make all-rounder decisions for your business.

What are the Key Factors that Shape the Monthly Cost of an SEO Expert?

Many variables take the front seat when calculating SEO service costs. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of the key factors that play a role in analysing the cost of an SEO expert.

1. Keyword Targeting

SEO specialists need to invest more time and resources in optimizing your website content, building backlinks, and potentially SEO Strategies to compete with established players. This extra effort translates to higher costs.

2. On-Page and Off-Page SEO

Basic SEO packages might just have an eye on on-page optimization, which involves optimizing your website’s content and structure for relevant keywords. This is a worthwhile step, but it’s only part of the puzzle. In-depth SEO services go beyond your website and involve building backlinks, which are essentially links from other websites pointing to yours. These backlinks act like votes of confidence for your site in the eyes of search engines and can significantly increase your overall ranking for better keywords. Building high-quality backlinks is a time-consuming (and often expensive) process, which is why quality SEO packages cost more.

3. Your Business Blueprint

Your business’s size, goals, and budget dictate the scope of SEO work needed. Be realistic about your budget and adjust expectations accordingly.

4. Industry Competition

The fiercer the competition in your industry, the more effort is required to achieve your desired SEO results. This translates to potentially higher costs.

5. Project Complexity

Larger websites, websites that are just built from scratch, or projects with extensive technical challenges demand more resources, time, and expertise, leading to a higher price tag.

6. Location, Location, Location…

The SEO service provider’s location can significantly impact costs. The target geographical area also influences local SEO pricing. Those serving a global market tend to charge more than those targeting local markets.

7. Expertise is Priceless

The experience and reputation of an SEO agency play a role in pricing. Established experts may charge more due to their proven track record.

8. SEO Toolbox Essentials

SEO professionals use various tools to improve your website’s ranking. The cost of these tools can be factored into the overall service price.

9. Service Selection

The number of SEO services offered by a provider influences the price. Some offer all-inclusive packages, while others focus on specific SEO areas.

What Do SEO Services Typically Include?

The specific services you receive will depend on the provider and your chosen cost model. However, some common SEO services include:

• SEO strategy development
• SEO audit
• Keyword research
• On-page and off-page optimization
• Technical SEO improvements
• Competitor analysis
• Link building and outreach
• SEO reporting
• Local SEO for ‘geographically’ targeted campaigns
• Content creation and optimization
• Return on investment (ROI) tracking

What are the Most Common SEO Pricing Models?

1. Monthly Retainer

This model is ideal for ongoing SEO needs. It typically covers services like SEO audits, keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, content creation, and reporting. According to Ahrefs’ SEO report 2024 report, the most popular pricing range is $501–$1,000/ month.

2. Hourly Rates

This is best suited for smaller, one-time SEO projects like audits, recommendations, or implementation tasks. The most popular hourly rate is $75 to $100 as per the Ahrefs.

3. Project-Based Pricing

This model works well for well-defined SEO projects with clear deliverables and timelines. Common examples include SEO audits and project-specific optimizations. According to the Ahrefs, the per-project fee ranges between $2,501 and $5,000.

What is the Average Cost of SEO Services?

Globally, SEO services range from a monthly investment of $500 to $10,000 or an hourly rate of $50 to $200. Project-based costs can settle between $1,000 and $10,000. Remember, these figures are estimates, and your specific needs will determine the final cost. If we just talk about the UAE, the monthly cost of SEO service providers or hiring a digital agency/SME with SEO expertise will typically range between AED 1,500–AED 10,000.

Estimated SEO Costs by Services Offered in UAE

Here are the SEO service costs in UAE based on typical offerings:

1. Basic SEO Package (AED 500 – AED 2,000 per month)

What are the SEO services? Keyword research, on-page optimization (title tags, meta descriptions, headers), and basic link building (local citations, directory submissions).
Ideal for? Small businesses with limited budgets or those new to SEO.

2. Mid-Level SEO Package (AED 2,000 – AED 4,000 per month)

What are the SEO services? All in a Basic Package, plus advanced link-building strategies (guest blogging, forum marketing), content optimization, and some technical SEO fixes.
Ideal for? Small to medium-sized businesses looking for improved online visibility and traffic.

3. Local SEO Package (AED 1,500 – AED 5,000 per month)

What are the SEO services? Focuses on increasing local search ranking (Google My Business optimization, local citations, online reviews management).
Ideal for? Brick-and-mortar businesses targeting customers in their area.

4. Ecommerce SEO Package (AED 3,000 – AED 10,000 per month)

What are the SEO services? Optimizes brand stores/platforms for product-specific keywords, internal linking structure, and conversion rate optimization (CRO).
Ideal for? E-commerce businesses aiming to increase online sales.

5. Enterprise SEO Package (Depends)

What are the SEO services? Highly customized plans for large companies, including international SEO (if needed), ongoing content strategy, competitor analysis, and advanced technical SEO audits.
Ideal for? Large businesses with complex websites and aggressive online growth goals.

The Bottom Line

The right SEO strategy can deliver significant returns. Here’s a quick recap:

• SEO costs vary depending on your industry, website size, competition, and desired services.
• Common pricing models include monthly retainers, hourly rates, and project-based fees.
• Expect to pay anywhere from AED 500 to AED 10,000 per month for SEO services in the UAE, depending on your specific needs.

Don’t Let SEO Costs Hold You Back

Whether you’re a small business owner or a large enterprise, availing the best digital marketing services is everything for the online success of your business. By collaborating with a licensed  freelancers in UAE & Agencies , you can develop a strategy that fits your budget and goals.

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How to Choose the Right SEO Partner?
A: While cost is important, it shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor. Beware of rock-bottom prices, as ineffective SEO practices can harm your website in the long run. Focus on reputable and experienced service providers with a proven track record.

Q: How long does SEO take to show results?
A: SEO results can take 4-6 months to become noticeable, but this timeframe can vary.

Q: What to choose between Freelancer and Agency?
A: While analysing the potential of agencies vs freelancers, the best choice depends on your needs. Freelancers are a good fit for small, one-time projects, while agencies excel in handling ongoing SEO campaigns. Wizer offers access to both experienced plus licensed professionals and SEO agencies/ SMEs to cater to your specific project needs and budget.

Q: How to measure SEO effectiveness?
A: The metrics used to measure SEO effectiveness depend on your SEO goals, service expectations, and business KPIs. Traffic, rankings, leads, sales, and revenue can all be valuable indicators of your SEO campaign’s success.

Ready to Get Started?

Wizer can help you connect with experienced and licensed SEO experts in the UAE. Get in touch today and take your first step towards driving top search engine rankings, and business growth.

Also Read: How Much Does Social Media Marketing Cost in the UAE?