If you’ve ever asked a marketing agency ‘how much does SEO cost?’ you’ve probably been told, “it depends.” And while that answer is technically true, it’s not very helpful. So let’s break it down properly.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the best long-term investments you can make for your business. Done right, it brings steady, organic traffic without paying for ads every month. But because SEO covers so many moving parts from technical setup to content creation, the costs can vary quite a bit depending on what you need.
The Main Factors That Affect SEO Cost
- The size of your website
A five-page brochure site is a different story from a 200-page e-commerce store. The more pages you have, the more time is needed to optimise titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content. Bigger websites also need regular crawling and monitoring to ensure everything continues to perform well. - Your current performance
If your website already has a solid foundation, you’ll need less work upfront. But if it’s slow, poorly structured, or not indexed properly, a chunk of the budget goes into technical fixes first. These early improvements may not feel exciting, but they’re essential for search engines to actually find and trust your site. - Competition in your industry
Ranking a local café in a small town is easier than ranking a national finance brand. The more competitive your keywords, the more content, links, and time it takes to climb the rankings. Competitive industries often require a combination of SEO tactics, like creating high-quality articles, building backlinks, and improving user experience to stay ahead. - Goals and scope
Some businesses just want to appear for local searches like “plumber in Oxford”. Others want to dominate national rankings or expand internationally. Your goals directly affect how much ongoing work is required, including whether your SEO plan focuses on technical fixes, content marketing, or link-building. - Agency experience and transparency
You’ll find SEO providers offering everything from £99 a month to £5,000+. The difference usually lies in the level of expertise, strategy, and communication. A good agency will show you what you’re paying for, explain the process in plain English, and tie it to measurable results.
Typical SEO Pricing in the UK
Here’s a realistic look at what you can expect to pay for SEO services in the UK:
- Freelancers or small agencies: £250–£800 per month
Ideal for small businesses or local SEO campaigns. Expect basic keyword research, on-page optimisation, and some blog content. This level of service can be great for smaller companies that just need a steady local presence rather than national exposure. - Established agencies: £800–£2,500 per month
Suitable for businesses that want consistent growth, link-building, and monthly reporting. This tier usually includes strategy, content planning, competitor tracking, and technical monitoring. The focus is on achieving measurable improvements over time, not quick fixes. - Large or national campaigns: £2,500+ per month
For brands in highly competitive industries where serious investment is needed to outperform rivals. These campaigns often involve full-scale content teams, digital PR, and extensive analytics.
There are also one-off SEO projects, often costing between £500 and £2,000. These might include a technical audit, keyword strategy, or a full site optimisation before a relaunch. A one-off project can be a great starting point for smaller businesses that want to set a strong SEO foundation before moving into ongoing monthly support.
Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better
It’s tempting to go for the lowest quote, but good SEO takes time and expertise. If someone promises “page one in 30 days”, run. SEO is about building authority and trust with search engines over time. Shortcuts like keyword stuffing or buying backlinks can actually harm your site, leading to penalties or lost rankings.
Think of SEO like fitness. A crash diet might show fast results, but they won’t last. Consistent and steady progress through well-researched keywords, great content, and technical upkeep creates results that endure.
What You Should Get for Your Money
A trustworthy SEO provider should deliver:
- A clear plan and realistic expectations
- Keyword research tailored to your business
- Technical improvements to your site
- Regular performance reports
- Ongoing optimisation as your site grows
They should also educate you along the way, so you understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Transparency is key, if you can’t see where your money is going, that’s a red flag.
At Brew House Creative, we build SEO into every website we create, meaning you start from a strong foundation. From there, our ongoing SEO plans focus on sustainable growth, not gimmicks. Our goal is to help your website do the heavy lifting for you, so it attracts the right audience even while you sleep.
How to Know If You’re Getting Good Value
The best way to measure SEO value isn’t by looking at the number of keywords you rank for, but by looking at what those rankings actually bring in; website visits, enquiries, or sales. A smaller number of well-targeted searches that lead to conversions is far more valuable than ranking for hundreds of irrelevant terms.
A good SEO strategy should also adapt as your business evolves. Search trends shift, algorithms update, and your competitors change tactics. The right agency will keep you ahead of those changes and continually refine your approach.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does SEO cost? Anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds per month, depending on your goals, competition, and the quality of the provider. But instead of thinking of SEO as a cost, see it as an investment, one that continues to pay off long after you’ve made it.
At Brew House Creative, every website we deliver is SEO-optimised from day one, with optional ongoing SEO support that fits your business and budget. If you’re ready to grow your audience the smart way, get in touch to learn how we can help you get found faster.
Written by Alan Ward
