SEO charges & rates

[cr8ive1]

How do I find out what fair charges and rates are for SEO services?

[David Wallace]

You don't! :D

I'm kidding... sorta. I say that because rates are all over the place. You could find rates ranging from $50 and hour to hundreds an hour. I think you should find out who you are comfortable with who is also within your total project range. Just remember that the cheapest is not always best and neither is the most expensive.

[cr8ive1]

You don't! :D

I'm kidding... sorta. I say that because rates are all over the place. You could find rates ranging from $50 and hour to hundreds an hour. I think you should find out who you are comfortable with who is also within your total project range. Just remember that the cheapest is not always best and neither is the most expensive.

Thanks David... I think. So... $50/hr is a starting point? What should be paid is based on projects budget? Do I understand in the SEO field there is no guideline set for fair pricing as in marketing? Are bids based on how much you think someone is willing or able to pay? It is up to you to decide on what you feel is fair price for the work done? Let's say I got several bids on a project from several very different prices that covered everything listed. With the fluctuation of search engine algorithyms, key words, and link ratings it is a shot in the dark no matter who you go with? :confused:

[vayapues]

I feel your pain. ;)
It is not entirely a shot in the dark. That is to say, if you do your research on a company, or individual, you can be fairly confident in your decision.

Ask them to show you sites they have done SEO work for. Ask other SEOs about the reputation of the person you are considering. Ask them how they will approach your site, than bring that here and post it for feedback. Many here can tell you if it is a good proposal or not.

Why do prices vary? Because everyone from 11 year old school girls to 73 year old grandpas are doing SEO. Some are at the top of their game, and others are not. Some require full payment upfront, others 50% upfront, and others not until mile-stones are met. It is really just as diverse as any other industry.

I have seen SEO go for $20 or less an hour, but generally you get what you pay for. Anyone who is truly good can get $100 + an hour, and typically do. $400+ an hour is not unheard of, but is probably more than you need.

I personally charge a scale not based on what I think they will pay, but on how much I think they will annoy me. If they seem like someone who is going to call me every other day I charge a lot more. If they seem humble, willing to keep their hands out of what I am doing, and I know I won't hear from them too often, I charge less.

Good luck

[Carlos Chacón]

How do I find out what fair charges and rates are for SEO services?
SEO industry is changing daily. SEO quotes can differ from one to another. What I suggest you is prove what they are offering.
Something basic is to watch their own website for example. If you’re offering SEO services you SHOULD have your own website ranking and positioning on the top SE on different keywords.

This is just an example but it can give you an idea to how they’re doing their job.
Referrals are very important too, specially if they have some clients on the same ground that you’re looking.

Some people I’ve met consider my prices to “high” just because they find fewer prices around, which is not a good criterion to compare.

It’s important to consider the company or single person who’s going to work with your site. Ask, watch and compare what they offer because everybody will say that they are the BEST SEO firm on the country…..If yes, ask for some REAL evidence!

[Wavy Davy]

I sometimes let one off jobs buy me a surprise from my amazon.com wishlist

I have yet to be "disappointed"

-I have been sent some fantastic gifts - even the Sony Camera I really wanted but didn't really need!

I have three iPods one is 60gigs

Usually I wing it on price.

Due to my lack of overhead (home office) I do $40 and up. Please remember before panning me NO OVERHEAD!

I love working from home as I get my fitness, boating and pistol fixes in during the day.

PLUS I have a TV to my left with the English Premiership on and get to watch Chelsea stuff everyone while I work.

David

[cr8ive1]

I want to thank all of you who took the time to reply. From what I gather there is no set rate for SEO or SEM work. It is based on your knowledge of the SE market, your ability to stay on top of the latest SE trends, your web design skills, editorial & content creation skills, graphic design skills, industry knowledge, People skills, Sales ability, and confidence level in your skills and ability. I don't think I am too far off on this?
I was vague in my questioning because I wanted to make an informed decision on my first proposal to a big client. They are the first of a few I have lined up and I don't want to blow my first proposal based on overpricing. From what I've seen so far this would be hard to do. I want to be paid a fair price for my work because I am extremely thorough and have a jack of all trades background in all the above with the exception of SE Optimisation and SE Marketing Campaigns. I know the biggest challenge is asking what you are really worth (which I have NO problem doing). I have an extremely strong sales background and the ability to sell myself is no problem. My skills in market research, graphic design, marketing, and content developement are above average in all areas. I have been trying to decide whether to pursue things on my own or work for someone else to get a reputation for my work? I know of course that I would make much less for someone else but also wouldn't be paying self employment taxes etc. either.
I guess I'm intrigued by the comments that $400 plus an hour are not uncommon? My girlfriend owns her own ad agency and netted over $200k last year. I'd rather do that and buy more handguns, ipods, and stuff than just wing it and hope that someone takes care of me. What does someone at the $400/hr level do vs. someone at the $40/hr level? I know there has to be a difference in the level of confidence, ability, and quality of work to start with. ANY comments would be appreciated. I am at this point going to just do it and see what happens. The fun part is selling someone on doing something for them without promising them a perfect result or even a satisfactory one. I will NOT refund someone after doing extensive keyword research, market research, content developement, etc. because I feel that if I let you know up front that given all the right things you may still not be ranked within the top ten and I do my part and everything within reason (no black hat stuff) to get you there that I should be paid for all that research, time, and actual work done. Does that make sense to anyone else?

Thanks! :)

[Wavy Davy]

Thanks for the dig mush....

I am semi retired, know what I am doing and want low maintenance clients.

Last year, not including iPods, I made - not too far off the sum you mentioned above.

Why in the h would I, for one, want to take on more stress??

I know a 76 year old techie that does SEO and he's really good at it. He takes whatever he feels like from the clients of choice - his choice.

<snip>Please do not self-promo</snip>

By the way I just got my Canon Digital Rebel XT from a client via Amazon - 2 hours work - now who's a waster... Work smart not like an idiot

Winker :rolleyes:

[cr8ive1]

Don't take it to heart Davy :) I really DO appreciate your feedback and I'm very happy that you replied. Thank you for replying. I'm an NRA member, love to sail, love my 185mph Gixxer, and have more toys than I should myself. I'm glad to see that someone doesn't feel that they have to charge a minimum fee of $50 up to $400. It gives me a deeper insight into the kind of people currently offering SEO services and what thier motivations for pricing are. My target clients are high maintenance and have very deep pockets but will call you out if they feel they are being exploited (even if unintentionally which I am trying to avoid on my part). I am trying to close a very niche client. To do so I am trying to make sure my facts are accurate and that I can back my pricing up or have to back down and walk away if not. Usually only have one shot at these things as you are probally well aware of. Again, thanks for your feedback. Glad to hear that you are doing so well for yourself as that is what really matters.

> [QUOTE=Wavy Davy]Thanks for the dig mush....

> I am semi retired, know what I am doing and want low maintenance clients.

[Wavy Davy]

Now I feel guilty for having a dig back ;)

Live and let live eh?

If you think about the camera situation I made $400 an hour with no grief or hassle....

I would have bought it anyway so saved money there.

I never rip people off either (that wasn't mentioned but I will bring it up) a lot of one offs set their own pricing and I never promise the world.

If someone insists on a WP4 report I will do it for free.............

[Anonymous]

I suspect everyone in the SEO industry charges as much as he feels it'd be fair for him/her. This involves skills, time, job location, client-annoyance rate, etc. As everyone is different and comes from different backgrounds, the prices vary. The best way to know if you have found the SEO, look at their previous jobs and see for results. See if doing the same for you would be an overkill or not.

[Wavy Davy]

I upped my prices drastically recently...

I'm now charging $100 + change an hour and getting it easily.

My older clients still buy me cool stuff from amazon and that's nice as they are low maintenance. Many are ppc these days and almost "set and forget" when campaigns are up and running smoothly.

I have a client that I recently fired for being a loud mouth jerk and I refunded him $2000 which I was happy to do

Working from home allows me these luxuries and putting my prices up and over $100 per hour has worked.

I think I was too low before and am pleased that I stumbled into this thread ;)