How Much Does SEO Cost in 2025?

A Realistic Breakdown

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) costs in 2025 aren’t one-size-fits-all—they depend heavily on your goals, industry, and strategy. Here at LBA we have seen jobs ranging all over the place. From $3000 a month to as high as $75,000 a month.

Every project is just a bit different. And, as usual, the answer is the usual "it depends". We can get you close to what to expect however!

Here’s how pricing typically breaks down:

Monthly Retainer Models

Ongoing SEO—from strategy to execution—usually runs:

• Small local businesses: $500–$2,500/month

• Mid-sized companies: $1,500–$7,000/month

• Large or enterprise brands: $5,000–$20,000+ monthly (backlinko.com)

Hourly Consulting

Pay-as-you-go SEO—great for audits or piecemeal tasks:

• Typical hourly rates: $50–$250/hour

  • Lower end (entry-level or overseas): $50–$100/hr

  • Higher end (experienced U.S.-based pros): $125–$250/hr

Project-Based SEO

For one-off needs like audits or migrations:

• Costs usually range from $1,000–$10,000+ depending on scope (boulderseomarketing.com)

SEO Pricing by Campaign Type

SEO Campaign Type Typical Monthly Cost Automated Local SEO $300–$500 Basic Local SEO $500–$2,500 Comprehensive Local SEO $3,000–$5,000 National/E-commerce SEO $3,000–$10,000+ Specialized Enterprise SEO $10,000–$20,000+

• Automated local SEO handles basic directory listings ($300–$500/month) (foxxr.com, learn.heytony.ca, reddit.com)

• Small-scale local adds targeted localized content & ads ($1,500–$2,500) (foxxr.com)

• Comprehensive SEO covers auditing, content, technical SEO, backlinks, and reporting ($3,000–$5,000) (foxxr.com)

What Influences SEO Pricing?

1. Competition & industry
   Highly competitive sectors (like legal, finance, health, SaaS) cost more—monthly costs ranging $2,500–$5,000+ (onthemap.com)

2. Business size & website complexity

   • Small sites: $1,500–$3,500/month

   • Mid-size: $3,000–$7,000

   • Large or enterprise: $10,000–$25,000+ (seoprofy.com)

3. Scope & deliverables

   • Simple on‑page tweaks and keyword research cost less

   • Technical audits, content creation, outreach, backlink campaigns drive up costs (onthemap.com)

4. Geographic location of provider

   • U.S./Canada/UK agencies: premium pricing

   • Freelancers or overseas providers can be 3–5× cheaper (backlinko.com, reddit.com)

5. AI & answer-engine readiness
   In 2025, SEO isn’t just keyword-focused. Agencies that optimize for AI answer engines, featured snippets, and generative models (answer engine optimization / AEO & generative engine optimization / GEO) charge a premium (en.wikipedia.org, outerboxdesign.com)

Real-World Averages (2025)

• Monthly retainers: Most fall between $1,000–$2,500, though small businesses often opt for under $1,000 and enterprise brands may invest $5,000–$10,000+ (backlinko.com)

• Hourly rates: $50–$100/hr typical; seasoned pros in Western markets charge $125–$250/hr

• Per-project fees: Generally $500–$5,000+, rising to $10,000 for extensive work

Why Prices Keep Climbing

Many SEO agencies have recently increased rates or plan to in 2025 due to inflation, higher operational costs, and expanding service scopes—especially to include AI optimization (reddit.com)

Avoid SEO Pitfalls

A cautionary real-world case from Melbourne: a small business spent nearly $20,000 over 17 months on SEO and saw traffic decline to just a few visits monthly. The issue? Lack of results, transparency, and accountability (news.com.au)

Tips to protect your investment:

• Ask about deliverables and reporting (traffic, rankings, conversions)

• Avoid agencies promising guaranteed top rankings

• Compare strategies, case studies, and client retention rates

Is SEO Worth It?

Absolutely—when done well.

• Even a basic $500–$1,000/month campaign can deliver measurable ROI over time (foxxr.com, reddit.com, reddit.com)

• Higher-tier packages offer greater impact—thorough audits, content, link equity—but investment should align with business goals and competition

• Outsourcing vs. in-house: agencies bring expertise and economies of scale; in-house offers control but often at higher internal cost

How to Budget for SEO in 2025

1. Define your objectives – traffic growth? Local leads? E-commerce conversions?

2. Choose a pricing model – retainer for ongoing needs; hourly/a-la-carte for specific deliverables

3. Request transparent proposals – with clear KPIs and monthly benchmarks

4. Scale as you grow – start small and increase investment with ROI

5. Monitor performance – track your search traffic, keyword visibility, and conversions

Summary

• Typical Monthly Costs: $500–$10,000+, based on business size and ambition

• Hourly Rates: $50–$250/hr

• Project Costs: $1,000–$10,000+ for audits, migrations, big fixes

• AI-Aware SEO: Expect premium pricing for AEO and AI-optimized strategies

SEO is an essential long-term strategy in 2025—but its cost depends on where you stand now and where you're headed. With clear goals, vetted vendors, and transparent reporting, SEO can be one of your most reliable growth channels.