Enterprise SEO Pricing in 2024: A Guide to Getting Your Money's Worth [SEO Agency Explains]

Enterprise SEO pricing costs from $100 per hour to $25,000 or more per month.

We’ll explain the different pricing models and the cost breakdown below.

We’ll also discuss different services you can expect, how to choose a solid enterprise SEO agency with a good price, and red flags when potential agencies disclose their prices.

Plus, we’ll share our in-home tips and case studies.

Let’s jump straight into it.

What Is Enterprise SEO?

Enterprise SEO is a specialized approach to search engine optimization for larger businesses with extensive websites and complex needs.

This strategy focuses on improving search visibility and organic traffic for enterprise-level companies. 

These websites have hundreds or thousands of web pages.

That’s why enterprise SEO means managing a wide range of tasks, from comprehensive SEO audits to advanced content optimization.

The prices are higher in enterprise SEO, but optimizing your website for search engines is essential if you have a large business.

• Lead generation: Enterprise SEO helps maintain and improve search engine rankings, driving organic traffic and increasing conversion rates. 
• ROI: An effective SEO strategy can lead to a significant return on investment by aligning SEO goals with overall business goals. 
• Competitive edge: As competition in many industries intensifies, enterprise companies need robust SEO solutions to stay ahead. 

Typical Cost Ranges for Enterprise SEO

Let’s see how much you can expect to pay for your enterprise SEO strategy by reviewing three different pricing models. We’ll share our insider tips as an enterprise SEO company, so keep reading.

1. Monthly Retainers for Enterprise Websites

Monthly retainers are a common pricing model for enterprise SEO services.

You’ll typically get ongoing optimization and regular support. 

Insider tip: We recommend this enterprise SEO pricing model if you need continuous improvement in search engine rankings and sustained organic traffic growth. 

Common Monthly Retainer Costs 

For enterprise-level SEO, monthly retainers generally range from $5,000 to $25,000 per month. These costs can vary significantly based on the complexity of the project, the competitiveness of the industry, and the scope of services provided.

• Lower range ($5,000 - $10,000 per month): Suitable for companies with fewer technical challenges and less competitive keywords. Services typically include basic SEO audits, keyword research, on-page optimization, and content creation.
• Mid-range ($10,000 - $15,000 per month): For businesses with moderate competition and more extensive SEO needs. This might cover comprehensive SEO audits, advanced link building, technical SEO, and robust content marketing strategies.
• Upper Range ($15,000 - $25,000+ per month): Best for highly competitive industries or large, complex websites. Services include all aspects of SEO, such as detailed technical audits, international SEO, extensive content marketing, and dedicated account management​.

What Is Typically Included in a Monthly Retainer

Monthly retainers for enterprise SEO include a wide range of services to ensure comprehensive optimization and support. For example, our enterprise SEO agency offers:

• SEO audits: Regular comprehensive SEO audits to identify issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Keyword research: Ongoing research to identify and target relevant and competitive keywords.
• On-page SEO: Optimization of website elements such as meta descriptions, headers, and content to improve search visibility.
• Technical SEO: Addressing technical aspects like site speed optimization, mobile usability, and fixing crawl errors.
• Content creation and optimization: Producing high-quality content that aligns with SEO goals and optimizing existing content.
• Link building: Building a strong backlink profile through relevant, authoritative links.
• Local SEO: Optimizing for local search queries and managing Google My Business profiles.
• Reporting and analysis: Regular performance reports and analysis to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.
• Account management: Dedicated account managers to provide personalized support and strategy adjustments​.

Why Invest in a Monthly Retainer?

The monthly retainer pricing models ensures you have a consistent SEO strategy that adapts to changing algorithms and competitive landscapes.

This ongoing effort helps you improve search engine rankings, driving organic traffic, and ultimately achieving higher conversion rates.

2. Project-Based Pricing for Enterprise Websites

For enterprise businesses, the costs for one-time SEO projects range from $2,000 to $10,000, with some projects extending up to $45,000 depending on the needs and goals of the business. 

The cost of project-based SEO pricing varies so significantly based on the scope and complexity of your SEO campaign.

These projects might include comprehensive SEO audits, large-scale technical SEO fixes, or significant content overhauls.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Basic SEO campaigns ($1,000 - $2,000): Suitable for smaller, less complex tasks such as keyword research, content optimization, or basic SEO audit, and some link building.
• Mid-range projects ($3,000 - $7,000): These might include more extensive technical SEO audits, site speed optimization, or a focused content marketing campaign.
• High-end SEO campaigns ($7,000 - $10,000+): Typically, these involve large-scale overhauls such as complete website redesigns with SEO integration, extensive link building campaigns, or comprehensive content creation strategies.

Types of Projects Suited for Project-Based Pricing 

1. SEO audits

‍Detailed assessments of a website’s SEO health. These audits analyze technical issues, content performance, link profiles, and overall SEO strategy.

Comprehensive SEO audits are essential for identifying areas of improvement and typically range from $1,000 to $10,000.

2. Technical SEO fixes

Addressing technical issues that affect site performance, such as page speed optimization, mobile responsiveness, and fixing crawl errors.

Costs for these projects can vary widely but usually fall between $2,000 and $7,000, depending on the complexity of the website.

3. Content marketing campaigns

‍Creating and optimizing high-quality content aimed at improving organic search visibility.

This can include blog posts, product descriptions, and other content types.

These projects often cost between $1,000 and $5,000.

However, you can expect to pay more, especially for comprehensive content strategies and large-scale implementation.

4. Website redesigns

‍Redesigning a website with SEO best practices integrated from the ground up is costly.

This can involve restructuring site architecture, enhancing user experience, and ensuring all new pages are optimized for search engines.

These large-scale projects are among the most expensive, typically costing between $10,000 and $20,000.

5. Link-building campaigns

‍Strategic efforts to acquire high-quality backlinks from authoritative sites to improve search rankings.

Effective link-building campaigns can be labor-intensive and expensive, generally ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Insider tip: We recommend project-based pricing models for businesses that need flexibility to tackle specific SEO challenges without committing to long-term contracts.

But before you commit to this pricing plan, understand all the costs and types of projects available.

That way, you can better plan your SEO budget and achieve targeted improvements in your search engine performance.

3. Hourly Rates for Enterprise Companies

Hourly rates for enterprise SEO services also vary significantly based on the provider's experience, location, and the specific services required.

On average, SEO agencies in the United States charge between $100 and $250 per hour.

However, top-tier agencies and highly experienced consultants may charge up to $300 per hour or more​.

• Lower range ($100 - $150 per hour): Typically includes general SEO tasks like keyword research, on-page SEO, and basic content optimization.
• Mid-range ($150 - $200 per hour): Involves more specialized services such as technical SEO audits, advanced link building, and comprehensive content marketing strategies.
• Upper range ($200 - $300+ per hour): Usually for highly experienced SEO experts or top agencies handling complex, enterprise-level SEO projects, including international SEO and detailed technical fixes.

As an enterprise SEO company, we noticed lots of pros and cons for hourly billing.

Hourly Billing PROS

• Flexibility: Hourly billing allows you to pay for only the services you need when you need them. This is ideal for short-term projects or specific tasks such as an SEO audit or a content update.
• Transparency: You can see exactly how much time is being spent on each aspect of your SEO strategy, so you have a clear picture of where your money is going.
• Cost control: Since you can monitor the hours spent on SEO tasks, you can manage your marketing budget better. This can prevent overspending on unnecessary services.

Hourly Billing CONS

• Unpredictable costs: Unlike fixed-price contracts, hourly billing can lead to unpredictable expenses. If a project takes longer than expected, costs can quickly escalate beyond your initial budget.
• Potential for inefficiency: There might be less incentive for the SEO service provider to work efficiently, as more hours result in higher earnings. This can sometimes lead to extended project timelines.

Factors Influencing Enterprise SEO Pricing

We’ve seen different pricing models and SEO costs so far.

And, to be fair, enterprise SEO is not cheap.

So, let’s look at what goes into it:

Size and Complexity of the Website

Larger websites with hundreds or thousands of pages require more extensive SEO efforts.

This includes more detailed SEO audits, ongoing content optimization, and a higher volume of relevant backlinks.

More pages mean more work for SEO experts to ensure each page is optimized for relevant keywords and meta descriptions. This involves regular updates and monitoring to maintain high search rankings. 

Technical complexity is another critical factor.

Websites with advanced functionalities or complex architectures need more intensive technical SEO audits. You must address issues like loading speed and mobile optimization fast to enhance search engine performance and user experience.

Existing SEO Issues

Websites with significant SEO problems require more time and resources to fix.

This can include addressing penalties from search engines, rectifying poor link-building practices, or overhauling outdated content strategies. 

Experienced SEO agencies will conduct a thorough SEO audit to identify and prioritize these issues.

Industry Competitiveness

In highly competitive industries, numerous businesses are vying for the same target keywords, so it’s more challenging to achieve top search engine rankings.

This competition requires more aggressive and sustained SEO strategies, which can drive up costs. 

However, high-quality content creation, link building, and regular SEO performance monitoring are essential to stay ahead of competitors.

Niche-Specific Challenges

Each industry has unique characteristics that affect how SEO strategies are developed and implemented.

For instance, technical SEO audits may be more critical in industries with complex product descriptions or specialized content types. 

Besides, industries like finance or healthcare face stricter regulations.

That’s why healthcare SEO, for example, requires more meticulous content optimization to ensure compliance and credibility.

Scope of Services Required

Different businesses need various SEO strategies to achieve their goals.

The point is to invest in the right enterprise SEO service to achieve your goals.

Insider story break

One of our clients was struggling to rank their high-quality content.

The keyword optimization was on the spot, and the content was genuinely relevant.

They also had built some links to it.

The problem was an unidentified Google penalty.

Apparently, some of the backlinks they were getting came from link farms.

Luckily, the issue was easy to fix.

We contacted the first agency they worked with, and they removed the toxic links.

That said, here are other SEO services you can consider:

• On-page SEO: On-page SEO focuses on optimizing individual pages to improve search engine rankings. This includes image optimization, meta descriptions, internal linking, and ensuring high-quality content. Comprehensive SEO audits are essential to identify areas for improvement and implement effective on-page strategies.
• Off-page SEO: Off-page SEO involves activities outside your website that impact your search rankings. Link building is a critical component here, and it entails getting relevant backlinks from authoritative sites. Guest posting and social media engagement are also part of off-page SEO, enhancing your website’s authority and visibility.
• Technical SEO: Technical SEO addresses the backend aspects of your website that affect its performance. This includes speed optimization, mobile-friendliness, and fixing any technical issues that might hinder search engine crawling and indexing. Technical SEO audits help identify and resolve these issues, ensuring a smooth user experience and better search rankings.
• Content creation and marketing: Content creation and marketing are vital for engaging your target audience and improving search visibility. Producing various content types, such as blogs, articles, and videos, helps attract and retain visitors. Effective content marketing strategies also involve promoting this content to reach a broader audience and drive organic traffic.
• Local SEO: For businesses targeting local markets, Google Maps SEO is essential. This includes optimizing your Google My Business profile, managing local citations, and ensuring your website appears in local search queries. Local SEO helps attract potential customers in your vicinity.
• SEO management: This is a tailored approach to SEO that covers all SEO services you need. A monthly SEO management plan gives you a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals. And that’s how you maximize return on investment.

Remember: It’s important to understand the scope of the services required to plan your SEO budget and select appropriate SEO packages.

Geographical Targeting

Geographical targeting also impacts enterprise SEO pricing because it dictates the complexity and extent of your SEO strategy.

• Local focus: Local SEO services can drive foot traffic and boost local search visibility. They’re also typically less expensive than other SEO approaches.
• National focus: Targeting a broader audience across the country requires more extensive efforts. This includes optimizing for competitive keywords and implementing comprehensive SEO strategies to outrank nationwide competitors.
• International focus: International SEO is essential for global businesses. This involves optimizing for multiple languages and regions, managing hreflang tags, and ensuring content is relevant to diverse audiences. International SEO strategies are more complex and resource-intensive, impacting the overall cost.

SEO Goals and Objectives

Short-term goals might include quick boosts in search rankings or targeted traffic increases.

Long-term goals typically focus on sustained growth, improved conversion rates, and higher return on investment. 

Long-term goals usually require a more consistent and comprehensive SEO strategy, so they’re more costly.

But that’s not always the case.

A short-term site revamp can cost a five or even six-figure sum.

Case Study Break: Arielle

Executive resume website Arielle was struggling in the competitive executive resume market.

We helped them with targeted keyword research and link building.

In fact, we built over 400 quality backlinks for Arielle on authoritative websites.

You can also do your math, considering that a specialized link-building campaign price starts at $3,000/ month.

However, this type of effort led to a 300% increase in B2B sales-qualified leads and got Arielle from 9,000 to 70,000 monthly visitors. 

Also, this collaboration wasn’t a one-time project. It took us two years to see these results.

Insider tip: Define key performance indicators such as organic traffic growth, keyword rankings, and conversion rates to measure your SEO efforts.

The more specific and ambitious your goals, the more resources and expertise might be required.

Agency Expertise and Reputation

Experienced SEO agencies with a proven track record charge premium rates but deliver superior results.

That’s because agencies specializing in enterprise SEO understand larger businesses' unique challenges and requirements.

Their experience is proof they can handle complex projects and provide tailored solutions.

Captain Obvious insider tip: Agencies with a history of successful SEO campaigns for enterprise companies can provide case studies and client testimonials.

Choosing the Right Enterprise SEO Service

Now that you’ve seen different enterprise SEO pricing models and factors affecting these prices, let’s see how you can leverage this info.

To pick the right enterprise SEO service, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Before selecting an enterprise SEO service, it's essential to understand your business goals. 

We always ask our prospective clients if they aim to increase brand awareness, improve conversion rates, increase sales, or something else.

Understanding their business goals helps us define their SEO goals.

So, start by expressing your needs to potential SEO service providers so they can meet your specific objectives with SEO.

Step 2: Evaluate SEO Agencies

When evaluating SEO agencies, consider the factors below:

• Their experience with enterprise clients: Look for agencies with a proven track record of handling larger businesses and complex websites. Ask to see case studies with real-world examples of the agency’s success in improving search engine rankings and organic traffic for enterprise clients.
• Comprehensive SEO packages: Ensure the agency offers a comprehensive range of SEO services. That’s important because the SEO audit may show you need different services. For example, you may think you need content creation, but link building may be more appropriate – or vice-versa. Besides, a holistic approach is essential for comprehensive optimization.
• Transparency and reporting: Choose an agency that provides clear, regular reports on SEO performance. Transparency in their processes and results builds trust and allows you to track progress towards your SEO goals.

Step 3: Budget Considerations

Setting a realistic budget is crucial when choosing an enterprise SEO service. 

Consider the scope of services you need and the typical costs associated with them by reviewing our list of enterprise SEO prices above.

While it might be tempting to opt for the lowest-priced service, remember that quality SEO requires a significant investment.

Insider tip: You don’t necessarily need to pay a higher rate to a famous SEO agency just for the sake of it.

Instead, to maximize your return on investment, pick a solid, data-driven SEO agency with proven results.

And make sure they explain the exact services you need to get you from point A to point B in terms of your SEO and business goals.

Red Flags to Watch Out For in SEO Pricing

We've encountered numerous clients who were previously offered contracts from other SEO agencies that made unrealistic promises or concealed their true costs. 

Here are some key warning signs to watch out for:

1. Guarantees of Immediate Results

One of the biggest red flags in SEO pricing is when an agency guarantees immediate results.

SEO is a long-term investment and takes at least three months to show improvements. 

Promises of instant search engine rankings are unrealistic and a sign of black hat SEO tactics, which can harm your site’s reputation and lead to penalties from search engines​.

2. Lack of Transparency in Pricing

Transparency is essential in understanding what you are paying for.

If an SEO agency is vague about its pricing structure or reluctant to provide detailed cost breakdowns, this is a major red flag. 

You should expect clear explanations of their SEO pricing models, including the services in each package and the expected outcomes.

3. Unbelievably Low Prices

While it's important to find SEO services that fit within your marketing budget, prices that seem too good to be true often are. 

Quality SEO requires a reasonable investment to cover comprehensive audits, technical fixes, and ongoing optimization efforts. Agencies offering very low prices might: 

• Cut corners.
• Deliver subpar results​.
• Lack the necessary expertise.
• Not dedicate sufficient resources to your campaign. 

4. Overemphasis on Link Quantity Over Quality in Cost Breakdown

Link building is a critical aspect of SEO, but focusing on the quantity of backlinks over their quality is bad for business. 

We've seen clients whose previous agencies pursued mass link-building strategies, resulting in irrelevant or low-quality backlinks. 

These can hurt your site's credibility and search engine rankings. 

A reputable SEO agency should prioritize acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative sources, albeit that means a higher upfront cost​.

5. No Customized Pricing Strategy

Every business is unique, and so are its SEO needs. Be wary of agencies that offer one-size-fits-all SEO pricing packages without taking the time to understand your specific business goals and challenges. 

An effective SEO service provider should offer tailored pricing strategies that align with your industry, target audience, and competitive landscape​.

Wrapping Up

If you have read so far, you now know the prices involved in an enterprise SEO plan.

Even more importantly, you know how to assess whether the enterprise SEO agency you pick will deliver quality services that reflect their prices.

But if you need more help getting started, let’s set up a free strategy call.

We’ll explain the personalized services you need and prices to consider even if you don’t end up choosing our agency.