How much does SEO cost? (2026, small businesses)
Published 4 November 2026
For a small business, SEO usually costs about $500 to $1,500 a month (£400 to £1,200, €500 to €1,500) from a freelancer or local agency. Agencies average about $3,200 a month in the largest survey we found. Doing it yourself costs mostly time. These are sellers' figures, not guarantees, and no price buys a position on Google.
The numbers come from published surveys and price guides (listed at the end). Each region is quoted in its own currency and we have not converted them, because the sources differ in size and method. Treat every figure as a range to test against real quotes.
What SEO providers charge a month, on average
US dollars, linear scale.
How much does SEO cost per month?
| Route | Typical cost | Source and region |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, small business | About $1,150 to $1,350 a month on average | Ahrefs survey of 439 providers, worldwide, US dollars |
| Local SEO provider | About $1,557 a month on average, agencies $1,819 | Same survey |
| Agency retainer | About $3,209 a month on average | Same survey |
| Small projects in Germany | €500 to €1,000 a month, mid-sized companies €1,500 to €4,000 | One German agency's 2026 guide, euros |
| Freelancer or small agency in the UK | £300 to £1,000 a month | UK sellers' guides, pounds (see our UK guide) |
| Do it yourself with a plugin | Basic plugins are free, plus your time | You decide what to write |
| Software that sends approved changes (WdBasic) | $0 to $79 a month, plus tax where it applies | Our pricing page |
The same Ahrefs survey found that 63% of providers charge between $500 and $5,000 a month, and that the average hourly rate is about $111. It was published in December 2023 and updated in 2026, so prices may have moved since.
How much does SEO cost per hour?
Hourly work suits a contained job, such as an audit or fixing one problem. Ahrefs reports an average of about $111 an hour worldwide, with $100 to $150 the most common band. UK guides quote £40 to £100 an hour for freelancers and £70 to £300 for agencies. German freelancers are quoted at €90 to €120 an hour in one survey.
Why do SEO prices vary so much?
Price follows the hours and the competition. A shop in a crowded market needs more content and links than a plumber with one service area. Three things explain most of the gap:
- Scope: a few page fixes and a Google Business Profile, or a full content programme.
- Who does it: a freelancer, a local agency or a larger team.
- Competition: the more businesses chase the same search, the more work it takes to compete.
Is SEO worth it for a small business?
It can be, if people search for what you sell and Google can read your site. Results usually take months and nobody can promise a position or a number of visitors. First check the basics: clear page titles and descriptions, a working sitemap, pages that answer real questions. They are cheap to fix and expensive to ignore.
What should an SEO quote include?
Ask for these in writing before you pay:
- What will be done each month, in plain terms.
- Who does the work, and whether you can speak to them.
- What you approve. Nothing should change on your site without your say-so.
- How links are earned. Avoid anyone who buys links in bulk.
- How you will see progress, for example through your own Google Search Console.
- The notice period. Be wary of 12-month lock-ins.
Where WdBasic fits
WdBasic is not an agency and does not replace strategy. If you have a WordPress site, our free plugin connects it to an audit in plain language, and we propose specific changes (titles, descriptions, FAQs, technical fixes) that you approve before anything is published, with undo. Free covers the audit and three improvements a month. Paid plans are Monitor at $7, Assistant at $24 and Growth at $79 a month, before tax, with no contract. See how the service works or compare plans and prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SEO cost for a small business?
Most published guides put it between about $500 and $1,500 a month (roughly £400 to £1,200 or €500 to €1,500) for a freelancer or local provider. Agencies average around $3,200 a month in the Ahrefs survey. Prices vary with scope and competition.
Can I do SEO myself for free?
Yes, for the basics. Free plugins give you fields for titles and descriptions, and Google Search Console is free. The cost is your time and knowing what to write. WdBasic's free plan audits your WordPress site and proposes three improvements a month.
How much does WdBasic cost?
Free costs $0. Monitor is $7 a month, Assistant $24 and Growth $79, all before tax, with no contract. Annual billing gives two months free. See the pricing page.
Are cheap SEO packages worth it?
Be careful below about $500 or £500 a month. One UK seller's guide warns that at that level you should expect largely automated work rather than strategy. Ask exactly what you would receive each month and what you get to approve.
How long does SEO take to work?
Usually months, not weeks. Nobody can promise a position on Google, so be wary of anyone who does.
Sources
Checked in November 2026. Prices change often, so check the current page.