Do you want to invest in local SEO but fear the costs will spiral out of control? You can manage your local SEO cost with the right approach, and we’ll show you how. This ensures you can make the most of a limited budget or scale your business with a bigger one.

In any case, negotiating a better deal will always save you money or provide better service. With that in mind, we’ll share several ideas for negotiating a competitive price and service. 

Keep reading for the best ways to save money on your next SEO geotargeting project! 

A person holding a mobile device that’s showing Google.

What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO (search engine optimization) optimizes a business’s online presence to increase visibility in local search results. You can use the strategy to target customers searching for services or products in a specific geographic area. 

Some of the top local SEO strategies include optimizing the Google Business Profile and managing online reviews. These help businesses appear in search queries with specific geographic location names, such as country, city, or neighborhood. 

A calculator alongside coins. 

How Much Does Local SEO Cost: 5 Different Pricing Types

Do you want to invest in local SEO for your business? Then, you’ll need to know the SEO costs to understand the investment better. This will help you allocate a budget and determine if you can afford it in the first place. 

1. Hourly Rate for Local SEO

Many SEO specialists charge an hourly rate for local SEO services, which typically range from $75 to $200 per hour. The exact cost depends on the agency’s experience, location, and project complexity. You can shop around and find a competitive rate.

This approach suits businesses that need specific and short-term tasks. This includes SEO services like website audits, on-page optimization, or local keyword research. Furthermore, clients can control their spending by paying only for the hours worked. 

However, for long-term projects, costs can add up quickly. Assessing whether an hourly model aligns with your overall SEO plans is essential. 

2. Monthly Retainer for Local SEO

A common pricing model for local SEO is a monthly retainer, which typically ranges from $500 to $5,000 per month. This fee covers ongoing content creation, local link building, Google Business Profile management, and regular reporting. 

Are you wondering if the monthly retainer is a good idea? It’s ideal for businesses seeking continuous improvement and long-term results in local search rankings. The cost typically varies based on the scope of work and the industry’s competitiveness. 

The word “competitive pricing” circled in red. 

3. Project-Based Pricing for Local SEO

For businesses needing specific local SEO work. This includes a website overhaul or one-time optimization. The range of services that a service can complete will be on their business website. Also, the costs typically range from $1,000 to $30,000 depending on the project’s scope, complexity, and the agency’s expertise. 

This model is ideal for businesses looking for targeted improvements. However, before spending a lot of money on an SEO project, you must test them. Give the SEO expert a smaller task to test the quality. You’ll avoid the negative scenario of losing a large sum of money because of poor quality service.

4. DIY Local SEO Costs

For small businesses with limited budgets, a DIY approach to local SEO can be cost-effective. With this approach, there are no direct labor, tools, and resource costs. 

However, you will need to pay for keyword research platforms, website optimization tools, and review management software. These can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per month. 

Additionally, business owners will need to invest time in learning about SEO best practices. You may want to purchase a course or learn through free material and first-hand experience. However, this process is much less predictable and takes longer than hiring a service. 

5. Performance-Based Pricing

In some cases, SEO agencies offer performance-based pricing. The idea here is to only pay when the service shows positive results. This model may involve paying a percentage of the revenue generated from local search. Or, a fixed fee based on achieving certain performance goals. 

While this may seem attractive, it may be risky if performance goals are not met. Additionally, it’s problematic if the SEO agency controls how success is measured. Therefore, performance-based pricing is less common and usually applies to highly competitive industries.

The words “Digital Marketing” with white tiles on a wooden backboard. 

Negotiate a Lower Average Cost of Local SEO 

Negotiating a lower price for local SEO services requires a strategic approach to balance affordability and quality. Therefore, start by clearly defining your goals and budget so you know exactly what services you need and can communicate this to the SEO specialist. You’ll find that by narrowing the focus to essential services, you may reduce the overall cost.

Next, research multiple agencies and freelancers to compare pricing. This lets you understand market rates and leverage that information in your negotiations. It’s also helpful to request custom packages tailored to your budget and needs. Take this approach rather than opting for pre-set pricing tiers that may include unnecessary services.

Furthermore, be willing to negotiate payment terms. For example, you can request a lower monthly retainer with a longer contract duration or agree to performance-based milestones. Also, offering to pay upfront or in lump sums gives you more bargaining power.

Finally, if you’re a small business, highlight your long-term potential as a client to appeal to SEO experts looking for lasting relationships. This can motivate services to invest in your business relationship by offering a discount upfront. 

A laptop that’s showing Google. 

How To Save Money on Local SEO Costs

You can use several strategies to reduce the cost of your local SEO efforts. Applying a combination of these methods can scratch every marketing dollar in your arsenal. Furthermore, you can use these strategies and tips to any niche. 

Use Free SEO Tools

Many free SEO tools help businesses save on local SEO costs. Tools you can choose include the Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and Google Keyword Planner. They are great for tracking performance and conducting keyword research without spending extra money. 

While free tools may lack some advanced features, they can be enough for small businesses to start. You can use a range of free tools, so you have a mix of options to complete each project. You’ll see that it is possible to save a lot of money with this approach. 

Do It Yourself (DIY) Local SEO

One of the best ways to save money on local SEO is by doing it yourself. With free online resources, you can learn SEO basics and handle tasks like optimizing your Google Business Profile. 

You’ll see that getting a lot done with a small SEO budget is possible. However, it will take a lot of time, which you may want to spend on other business tasks. 

Tools like Google Analytics and free keyword research platforms also help track progress without extra costs. Signing up for these tools is fast and even quicker if you already have a Google account. 

Only Outsource Specific Tasks

Instead of hiring an agency for a full-service SEO package, consider outsourcing only specific tasks. These tasks might include generating local SEO backlinks or optimizing content for your business website

This approach allows you to control costs by paying only for specialized services. Meanwhile, you can handle simpler tasks like content updates, social media management, or review monitoring in-house. 

For example, you can outsource the tasks that are your weaknesses and complete the tasks that are your strengths. This means that you will have more potential customers than ever before. 

Negotiate Long-Term Contracts

Consider negotiating long-term contracts with SEO experts to save on local SEO costs. Many agencies offer discounts for extended partnerships. That’s because they prefer the stability of long-term clients. Therefore, commit to a longer time frame to secure lower monthly rates while ensuring ongoing SEO support. 

Additionally, some agencies might agree to performance-based pricing, where you pay based on the results achieved. You only pay more if the agency can drive more customers. This helps manage risk while getting the best service possible. 

Collaborate With Local Influencers

Partnering with local influencers or bloggers can boost your SEO at a lower cost than traditional advertising. You’ll find that local influencers can create content that promotes your business and shares positive experiences. This includes links back to your website. 

These backlinks help increase your website’s authority, which can improve local search rankings. 

Furthermore, you can offer influencers free products, services, or discounts in exchange for their promotion. This is less expensive than paying a monthly retainer to a top-tier SEO agency. 

Question marks painted on trees. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Now, let’s turn our attention to the FAQ, which will help shed some more light on the cost of local SEO. You will better understand how to budget and get even more answers! 

How much does local SEO typically cost?

Local SEO costs vary based on the specialist, services offered, and business needs. Typically, monthly retainer fees range from $500 to $5,000. In comparison, hourly rates for SEO experts can fall between $75 and $200. 

Depending on the scope, some businesses prefer project-based pricing, ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. The cost depends on factors like the industry’s competitiveness, the business’s geographic range, and the amount of work required. 

Is local SEO worth the cost?

Local SEO is worth the investment for most businesses aiming to attract nearby customers. It increases visibility on search engines for a fair price and drives more targeted traffic and potential sales. 

The return on investment (ROI) for local SEO can be high. It’s especially true for businesses in competitive local markets. While upfront costs may seem significant, the long-term benefits justify the investment.

Can small businesses afford local SEO services?

Yes, small businesses can afford local SEO by choosing cost-effective strategies. For instance, some agencies offer packages tailored for smaller businesses with lower budgets, ranging from $300 to $1,000 per month. 

Additionally, businesses can opt for DIY methods or outsource only specific tasks. Free tools and resources are also available for businesses looking to manage their SEO efforts in-house. Ultimately, this makes local SEO accessible even for those with limited budgets.

What factors influence the cost of local SEO?

Several factors influence the cost of local SEO. Top examples include the competitiveness of your industry and location. You also need to consider the number of locations your business operates in and the scope of services required. 

More competitive markets demand greater SEO efforts, which drives up costs. The amount of content needed, backlink building, and the complexity of technical optimizations also contribute to price variations. 

How long does it take for local SEO results to show?

Local SEO results typically take 3 to 6 months to become noticeable. It will depend on the competitiveness of your market and the quality of your SEO efforts. Overall, more competitive industries require more time. 

While local SEO is a long-term strategy, consistent work and tracking progress over time will yield improvements. You’ll see increased search rankings, website traffic, and customer engagement.

A person selling to local customers. 

Try Local SEO for Your Business

Now that you understand what you can expect to pay for local SEO services, you can decide on a plan forward. Use the strategies in this article to save money. For instance, you can negotiate or pay for specific tasks. 

Make sure that you understand the local SEO costs ahead of time so you can save up. You’ll see that reducing costs is possible while dramatically enjoying high-quality service. Hence, even small businesses can find the funds to boost their local SEO performance. 

GeoPlugin can also improve your geolocation marketing. For example, you can target customers by turning IP addresses into geolocation data. This is easy with GeoPlugin because of the optimized user interface and the extensive customization.

So what are you waiting for? Give GeoPlugin a try, and you’ll love the results.

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GeoPlugin Team
The GeoPlugin Team is a dedicated group of seasoned writers, and tech enthusiasts committed to making geolocation technology accessible to all web users. Our team combines expertise in digital advertising, IP geolocation, and web development. They also have a history in digital marketing, specializing in writing content about the tech industry, AI, and cybersecurity. At GeoPlugin, we understand the importance of knowing where your visitors are located to enhance website functionality and user experience. Our blog team’s articles provide you with the knowledge to leverage geolocation data effectively.