Ask three agencies what SEO costs and you get three completely different answers. That is because SEO is not a product but an ongoing effort: the price depends on what needs to happen and how competitive your keywords are.
This article covers common prices, where the differences come from and how to avoid paying for months without seeing results.
How much does SEO cost per month?
Freelancers and specialists typically charge 75 to 125 euros per hour. Agencies usually work with monthly retainers of roughly 500 to 2,500 euros per month. A local business with a handful of services often sits at the lower end; national webshops in competitive markets at the top.
Watch out for retainers without clear deliverables. Always ask: what exactly gets done this month, and where will I see it?
What drives the price?
Three things determine most of the price: the technical state of your site, the competition on your keywords and how much content is needed to earn those positions.
That is why good SEO work always starts with keyword research: you know upfront which terms are attainable and what they may cost.
When does SEO pay for itself?
Expect three to six months before you see serious movement, longer in competitive markets. That is not a sales line but how Google works: authority takes time to build.
The math is simple though: a visitor from Google costs you nothing extra afterwards, while ads keep charging per click. From the moment you rank, every month gets cheaper.
How I approach it
No vague retainers but a fixed quote upfront: keyword research and a technical check first, then a concrete plan with prices per part. See my SEO services or pricing, or ask your question via the contact form.
