Key Takeaways
Are you planning to outsource your enterprise SEO efforts but unsure about the marketing budget?
You’re not alone. We understand how daunting it can be to compare quotes, analyze service offerings, and evaluate agency reputations. That’s why we’ve decided to shed some light.
Based on our research from numerous SEO agencies, we can inform you that enterprise SEO pricing ranges between $11,500 to $21,500. However, the actual cost can vary significantly from one agency to another, depending on several factors that we will discuss in detail later in this article.
So, grab a cup of coffee and join us as we explore everything you need to know about enterprise SEO pricing.
What is Enterprise SEO?
Enterprise SEO is simply Search Engine Optimization tailored specifically for large businesses and enterprises. Like traditional SEO, the goal is to boost rankings on search engine result pages (SERPs), increase traffic, generate leads, and drive sales. However, the approach to Enterprise SEO is different from traditional SEO.
This Enterprise SEO guide shows that SEO for Enterprise involves optimizing much larger websites, often with thousands of pages, requiring a more sophisticated and scalable SEO strategy. On the other hand, Traditional SEO focuses on smaller websites with fewer pages and simpler structures, allowing for more straightforward optimization techniques.
Due to the complexity of enterprise SEO, companies' in-house SEO team often need to collaborate with external agencies to achieve their business goals. These agencies bring specialized expertise and advanced enterprise SEO tools enabling them to meet the companies requirements faster.
How much does enterprise seo cost compared to traditional seo?
Enterprise SEO is more demanding than traditional SEO, leading to a significant difference in pricing. Based on recent market analyses, the cost of Enterprise SEO typically ranges from $11,500 to $21,500 per month. This broad range reflects the various services and levels of engagement offered by different SEO agencies.
For example, full-service Enterprise SEO packages, which might include strategy development, keyword research, content creation, and custom reporting, generally start at around $12,000 per month. In contrast, specialized services like content marketing can range from $3,500 to $7,500 per month, focusing primarily on regular content creation and technical audits.
Traditional SEO, on the other hand, is more affordable, with prices starting at about $250 to $3,000 per month. These services usually cover basic optimization tasks suitable for smaller websites or local businesses.
So, when it comes to enterprise SEO vs Traditional SEO, enterprise SEO services are more expensive than small business SEO due to the increased resources and expertise that are required to optimize large, complex websites.
What factors affect an SEO agency's pricing?
When considering enterprise SEO pricing, several factors come into play. SEO agencies' fees will vary and a lower price does not necessarily indicate better service. It's important to understand the factors that influence these costs. Here are some key factors to consider:
Size of your website
Bigger websites with more pages tend to require more work to optimize. This is because there’s more content to optimize, more backlinks to build, and more potential technical challenges to address. All these amounts of work will sum up to increase the price tag of an SEO agency. The reverse is the case of smaller websites—less work compared to bigger sites and, a lesser price tag.
Your business goals
Another determinant of the pricing of enterprise SEO pricing is the complexity of your goals. For instance, the cost an agency charges for ranking a specific set of keywords is typically lower than the cost of boosting overall organic traffic. And the same is applicable to organic leads which can be more costly than both.
When targeting specific keywords, the effort involves focused optimization strategies, such as on-page SEO, targeted content creation, and backlink building for those particular keywords. In contrast, achieving an overall increase in organic traffic requires a more comprehensive approach, including broader content marketing, site-wide SEO audit, technical SEO improvements, and ongoing adjustments to adapt to search engines algorithm change. Thus, the broader your SEO goals, the higher the associated costs are likely to be. Organic leads on the other hand take extra effort as it involves a variety of strategies, including content marketing, conversion rate optimization, and targeted outreach, all of which require ongoing attention and resources
Services included
Enterprise SEO agencies offer a variety of services, from topic research and on-page optimization to enterprise SEO link building and content creation. Some other services often offered are SEO audits, local SEO, competitor analysis, and ongoing performance tracking and reporting.
Each of these services contributes to the overall SEO cost, so the more services you require, the higher the total expense will be. Therefore, when choosing an SEO agency, it is essential to prioritize the services that align most closely with your specific goals.
Experience and expertise
SEO agencies with a proven track record and professionals with enterprise SEO skills typically command higher fees. This is because their expertise, experience, and successful case studies positively influence enterprise SEO metrics. While these higher fees might seem costly at first, they often prove to be more economical in the long run.
Competition in your niche
SEO is a survival of the fittest game. If the Big Dogs in your industry are taking the desired spots on the SERPs, the enterprise SEO agency will need to put in more effort. And more effort translates to a higher cost.
Key services that should be included in an enterprise SEO service
Before partnering with an agency for your enterprise, there are some key services you must look out for to fully enjoy the benefits of enterprise SEO. These are the services that move the needle.
Keyword research
This service serves as the background of effective SEO. To fully realize the impact of all other SEO efforts, it must be executed correctly. The chosen keywords should not only match what your target audience is searching for but also align with your business objectives. Additionally, key metrics such as search volume, difficulty level, and trending patterns must be carefully considered.
Technical SEO audit
A technically “sick” website will never perform well regardless of the quality of content you publish or the cost of the backlinks built. The SEO agency must carry out a thorough evaluation of your website's health from an SEO perspective. This includes identifying and fixing crawl errors, improving site speed, and ensuring mobile-friendliness. You can see these enterprise SEO audit checklists to see areas your site might be lacking.
Content optimization
Content appears to maintain its reign as the king of the internet, as it is the cornerstone of any successful website. However, the benefits of content can only be enjoyed if it is of high quality. It is the quality of the content that truly makes a difference when it comes to SEO.
For example, TripleDart SEO agency was able to enhance Contify’s organic traffic by 9% in 6 months through effective SEO strategies and leveraging thought leadership content. Therefore, the agency you choose should be committed to enhancing the content on your website.
Also, it's important to remember that content optimization doesn’t always require creating new content from scratch; it can also involve updating and refining existing content.
Link building
Google has implemented thousands of algorithm updates since its inception. Despite these changes, quality backlinks remain a top search engine ranking factor. Although Google attempted to downplay the significance of backlinks with their latest update, the results SEOs are achieving through link building clearly show that high-quality backlinks are still crucial.
If you're in the B2B SaaS industry and seeking an SEO company that excels in these services, consider TripleDart. With their growth mindset and results-driven approach, they have successfully driven growth for numerous B2B enterprises. You can explore their case studies on this page.
Types of enterprise SEO pricing models?
Several different SEO pricing models may be used for enterprise SEO services. Some common options include:
Hourly-based pricing model
What is it?
Hourly-based SEO pricing for enterprise SEO refers to a pricing structure in which the client pays for the SEO services based on the number of hours that the service provider works on the project. This means that the client will be billed for the actual time that the service provider spends working on the project, rather than paying a fixed price for a specific set of deliverables.
Who is it for?
Hourly-based SEO pricing can be a good option for clients who need a high level of flexibility and customization in their digital marketing services, as it allows the service provider to adjust their work plan and focus on specific areas as needed. It can also be a good choice for clients who are not sure exactly how much work will be required to achieve their SEO goals, as it allows them to scale their investment in SEO services as needed.
What to consider?
Before going for an hourly-based SEO pricing model, it is important to note that these can be more expensive than other SEO pricing models, as it does not provide the same level of cost predictability. Always consider your marketing budget and needs before deciding on an hourly-based SEO pricing model for your enterprise.
Retainer-based pricing model
What is it?
Retainer-based SEO pricing for enterprise SEO involves a pricing structure in which the client pays a fixed fee on a monthly or quarterly basis for a set amount of SEO work. The client and the service provider will typically agree on a specific scope of work and a set of deliverables that will be completed each month, and the service provider will work to achieve these deliverables within the agreed-upon time frame.
Who is it for?
Retainer-based SEO pricing can be a good option for clients who need a predictable, ongoing investment in SEO services and who have a clear idea of the work that needs to be done to achieve their SEO goals. It can also be a good choice for clients who want to establish a long-term relationship with an experienced SEO agency and who are willing to commit to a set level of work over an extended period.
What to consider?
Keep in mind that retainer-based pricing for SEO services may require a higher upfront investment than other pricing models, as the client will be paying a fixed fee regardless of the actual amount of work that is completed each month. It's important to carefully consider your budget and needs before deciding on a retainer-based pricing model for your enterprise.
Project-based pricing model
What is it?
Project-based pricing for SEO refers to a pricing structure in which the client pays a fixed fee for a specific set of digital marketing services that are delivered over a defined period. The client and the service provider will typically agree on a detailed project plan and a set of deliverables that will be completed by a specific deadline, and the service provider will work to achieve these deliverables within the agreed-upon time frame.
Who is it for?
Project-based pricing can be a good option for clients who have a well-defined set of SEO goals and who need a specific set of services to be completed within a specific timeframe. It can also be a good choice for clients who are looking for a one-time investment in enterprise SEO solutions and who do not need ongoing support or maintenance.
What to consider?
Project-based pricing for SEO services may require a significant upfront investment, as the client will be paying a fixed fee for the entire project upfront. It's important to carefully consider your budget and needs before deciding on a project-based pricing model for your enterprise.
Performance-based pricing model
What is it?
Performance-based pricing for SEO refers to a pricing structure in which the client pays a fee based on their website ranking on search engines. The client and the service provider will typically agree on a set of specific SEO goals, such as increasing organic traffic or improving the visibility of specific keywords, and the service provider will be compensated based on the extent to which they can achieve these goals.
Who is it for?
Performance-based pricing can be a good option for clients who are looking for a high level of accountability and who want to pay only for results. It can also be a good choice for clients who are willing to take on more risk in exchange for the potential for higher rewards.
What to consider?
Like project-based pricing, performance-based pricing for SEO services also requires an upfront investment, as the service provider will need to plan, execute, track, and improvise the SEO strategy for the next time for better results. Unless the agency is a reputed one, it is suggested not to proceed with a performance-based pricing model for your enterprise business.
Should you bundle enterprise SEO with other marketing services?
The decision depends on your company's unique situation. For a large enterprise with a complex marketing structure, bundling services might enhance coordination across departments. Conversely, a lean marketing team with strong internal expertise might benefit from keeping SEO separate. Assess your resources and goals to determine whether you need a conductor to unify efforts or in-house talent to manage each channel independently.
Consider also the agency you're working with. Do they excel in both SEO and other marketing disciplines? Find a partner whose expertise matches your specific needs and don’t make any of these enterprise SEO mistakes.
Whether you bundle services or keep them separate, focus on building a powerful marketing strategy. Think about your goals, resources, and the expertise you have or need to bring on board. With the right approach, your online presence will flourish.
FAQ
Hiring SEO professionals vs. DIY SEO
Hiring professionals can provide expertise, save money for costly seo tools and save time, but it can be costly. DIY SEO is more budget-friendly but requires time and a learning curve. For an enterprise business that wants to save time and focus on core business operations, hiring an enterprise SEO consultant is better.
How to set a budget for SEO
Consider your business goals, competition, and the scope of SEO needed. Allocate a budget based on the level of expertise required and the expected return on investment.
How much should you spend on SEO?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on factors like your industry, competition, and goals. Generally, businesses may allocate 5-15% of their revenue to marketing, with a portion dedicated to SEO.
