How much should you actually be paying for SEO? If you’ve asked three agencies and got three different answers, you’re not alone. Prices vary wildly because “SEO” can mean anything from a quick technical tidy-up to a full content and UX programme running every month.
In this guide, we’ll break down the main ways SEO agencies charge their clients – from monthly retainers to hourly/day rates, one-off projects and even performance-based agreements – so you can see what you’re really getting for your money.
We’ll also share typical UK price ranges, and how we handle it at Lumen SEO with transparent, flexible billing.
Common Pricing Models for SEO
SEO pricing can vary widely depending on how the work is structured. To help you make sense of it, here’s a breakdown of the most common pricing models and how agencies – including Lumen SEO – typically charge for their services.
1. Monthly Retainer (on going SEO)
This is a consistent, monthly partnership where an agency manages and optimises your SEO on an ongoing basis.
This often covers everything within an SEO campaign including strategy, content, technical improvements, reporting etc. Ideal for long-term growth and competitive industries needing ongoing optimisation.
2. Hourly / Day Rate
This is a super flexible approach where clients pay only for the time spent on their SEO.
At Lumen SEO, we very much follow this model to keep things as simple and transparent as possible, i.e. billing by the hour so you only pay for the actual work done.
Our initial SEO campaigns typically run for three months, after which we offer an optional maintenance plan with no contracts or hidden fees.
3. Project-Based / One-Time Fixed Fee
This is a one-time payment for a specific deliverable such as an SEO audit, site migration, or strategy setup. This model is best for businesses that need targeted SEO work with clearly defined outcomes.
Ps. at Lumen SEO, our SEO audits are completely free. Request your free SEO audit here!
4. Performance Based
With this pricing model, payment is tied to achieving specific results such as improved rankings, traffic growth, or lead generation.
This model aligns incentives but can be more complex to measure accurately.
The Benefits of Hourly Billing for SEO
There’s a reason we’ve used the hourly billing structure from the very beginning – it’s simple, flexible, and clients only pay for the time actually spent.
Hourly SEO is a great fit if you:
– Want SEO benefits on a modest budget – You can start small, prioritise the highest-impact tasks, and scale up only when you’re ready and have the budget for it.
– Run a local business in a low-competition niche. A few focused hours on technical fixes, local listings, reviews, and on-page tweaks can move the needle fast.
– Have a small site that needs essentials, not a full programme. Think: keyword mapping, metadata, internal links, speed wins, a handful of quality citations or links.
– Need expert guidance rather than full execution. Pay for strategy sessions, audits, or implementation checklists you or your team can take.
– Already have a solid presence and want maintenance. Keep your brand competitive with periodic content refreshes, technical health checks, and light link acquisition.
At Lumen, we agree priorities, estimate hours, and grant you access to our transparent, up-to-date work portal so you see exactly where your money goes. You can also pause, ramp up, or refocus at any time – ideal for SMEs that need flexibility.
How Much Do SEO Agencies Actually Charge?
Different providers package their services in different ways, and the model you choose can have a big impact on flexibility, results, and budget management.
Typically speaking…
One person businesses or anyone with a small budget will probably be paying around £100-600 per month on their SEO. This often includes basic on-site SEO (optimising your Google Business profile, backlink work etc.) and technical maintenance.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) are often paying anything between £600 – £6,000 per month, and at Lumen, we typically work with clients in this bracket. At this level of service, you’re looking at a serious and sustained SEO campaign to help established businesses or new businesses grow their online presence fast. This will include all aspects of SEO running together, and some agencies (like ours) also look at UX, which looks at making your website more attractive and easier to use to potential customers.
The final type of business are enterprise-model businesses and very large corporations (we’re talking big fashion brands, government sites, media firms, etc.), which can pay anything over £6000 per month for SEO work. The bigger the website, and the more customers it has, the greater the complexity.
Ready to Improve Your Rankings?
An SEO audit is one of the best ways to check your website’s health, understand what’s working, and uncover what needs improving, and we’re here to help!
Claim your completely free SEO audit here, or contact us here to find out more about our services and how we can help you.
No Comments