The Cost of Local SEO: A Guide to Making Google Love Your Small Biz

cartoon image of a man debating between seo and ads

Are you curious about how much local SEO will cost you? It’s a contentious topic that frequently prompts lengthy discussions. The truth is that each local SEO pricing model is unique in its own way and more robust in particular areas, much like a snowflake.

Think of it this way: asking how much local SEO costs is like asking how much a car costs. The answer will depend on what you’re looking for and what “upgrades” are essential for your business.

Now, here’s the real shocker: most local SEO agencies charge anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 a month. Can you hear your wallet crying? But wait, it gets better (or worse, depending on how you look at it). Sometimes, you might stumble upon a cheaper price for the exact same services. This is because the cost of local SEO is closely tied to the years of industry experience the company has under its belt.

In other words, you get what you pay for—and sometimes, you get lucky and find a hidden gem that’ll perform miracles for your business without breaking the bank. So buckle up, folks, and get ready for a wild ride as we explore the cost of local SEO.

What does local SEO company pricing include?

Hold on to your wallets, folks, because we’re about to dive into the depths of the cost of local SEO. But before we do, let me stress one thing: the price you’ll pay will depend on a few key factors.

First, your location. The bigger the area you want to conquer with your optimized content, the higher the cost. After all, more resources and platforms equal a heftier bill.

Second, competition. The tougher the competition in your niche, the longer and harder it’ll be to climb the local SEO ranks.

And last but not least, your business needs. You’ll need to decide how fast you want to see improvement and at what scale.

Now, let’s get back to the main attraction – what services you can expect from hiring a professional SEO agency and how much it’ll cost you. Get ready for a wild ride as we explore the cost of local SEO!

cost of local seo
  1. Local SEO Audit

Ready to invest in your local SEO success? Get ready to dig deep into your pockets, because the cost of local SEO can range from a one-time payment of $250 to a monthly package that’ll set you back anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500.

But before you start writing checks, it’s important to get a good look at where your business stands in the world of local search. Enter the SEO audit – this little gem will give you the lowdown on your local landing pages, URLs, local SEO positions, what keywords you’re already ranking for, and where you’re killing it (or not). Plus, your Google My Business listing will be put under the microscope to analyze reviews and competitors’ benchmarks.

Armed with this information, your consultant will work their magic and come up with a local SEO strategy that’ll bring your business to the top. So, get ready to dish out some cash for the cost of local SEO and watch your business soar!

  1. On-page SEO

It can cost you from $100 to even $5,000 paid one-time separately or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package.

Wanna make sure your website is the belle of the local search ball? Then listen up, because on-page optimization is key! Without proper on-page optimization, you’ll be stuck at the back of the line while your potential customers dance with the competition.

That’s where local on-site SEO comes in – it’ll give your homepage the makeover it deserves by adding geo-specific keywords to your titles and meta descriptions, improving your URLs, and setting up local schema to signal to search engines what services or products your business offers and where.

And it doesn’t stop there! Local SEO agencies might also create service, city, and industry pages, and even give your website a general user experience upgrade. That could mean working on site speed, mobile-friendliness, fixing code, adding (or replacing) buttons, or even restructuring the whole shebang.

Need some help with your on-site SEO? No problem! Use the On-Page SEO Checker – it’s free, baby! Just plug in a URL and keyword, and you’ll get a report card on your on-site SEO. Plus, you’ll even get tips on how to fix the most critical issues. Score!

  1. Content Management

Can cost you from $50 to $2,500 monthly, oftentimes is included in a package.

Hold on to your hats, folks, because the local SEO content game is about to get real! When you hire an SEO firm, you’re not just getting a team of word wizards, you’re getting a whole bunch of optimization wizards as well. And trust us, they’re ready to cast their spells on your website.

Local SEO content is all about the written parts of your website, including your blog, product or service pages, guest posts, and everything else in between. An SEO firm will tweak your existing content and craft a top-notch strategy that will help boost your rankings, all while handling the content creation for you.

Think of well-written blog posts with all the right SEO keywords as your secret weapon. They’ll help improve your online reputation and bring in relevant traffic to your website. And if you optimize your blog for local search, visitors will find you when they’re searching for products or services in your area. Sure, optimizing your content will bump up the local SEO cost, but it’ll also guarantee you a high Google ranking, which means more people will come across your posts when they’re searching for information related to your niche.

And the best part? High-quality content can earn you backlinks, which will give your rankings an extra boost. The more unique and expert-level content you share, the more other businesses and individuals will use it as a reference, giving you a valuable link back to your page.

Are you on a budget but still want to up your local SEO game? Well, don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank to see results. By taking on some of the content creation yourself, you can save some dough and put it towards a professional local SEO audit to get your strategy on track.

However, my friend, pay attention! Going down this path without keeping a close eye on your rankings is not something you want to do. This is where a local rank tracker is useful. It will monitor all changes to your rankings, let you know if anything is off, and give you time to adjust your approach before it’s too late. Think of it as your personal local SEO lookout.

cost of local seo for companies
  1. Google My Business Optimization

Can cost you from $200 to $500 monthly or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package.

Alright, buckle up folks because we’re about to dive into the wild and wacky world of Google My Business listings! This little gem is the key to unlocking the secrets of local SEO success.

Think of it as a virtual handshake with your local audience, showing them everything they need to know about your brand and where you’re located. And that’s where local SEO specialists come in – they’re the masterminds behind making sure your GMB profile is top-notch and ready to take on the competition.

From creating monthly posts to adding eye-catching images and special offers, these SEO pros will stop at nothing to make sure your GMB profile is the bee’s knees. So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to see your local SEO positions soar!

  1. Local Citation and Link Building Management

Local citation can cost you from $150 a month if maintained separately or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package. Link Building can cost you $150-200 for a link, but can also be added into packages.

Ahoy matey! Looking to set sail on the high seas of local search optimization? Then you better be hoisting your local citations up the mast! Ye’ll need to make sure your business is listed on all the major directories, from Wase to Angie’s List, from TripAdvisor to MojoPages, from Yelp to Yellowpages, and all the little niche ones that be trusted by the locals.

And why’s that, ye ask? ‘Tis because links from other websites be like a beacon in the night, signaling to the search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. The more links ye have, the higher ye’ll rank. And since your business be stayin’ close to home, ye won’t be needing a big treasure chest for link building. Some local SEO agencies will do it by hand, but most now use an automated service called Yext to distribute your website far and wide, making sure not a single potential customer gets away. Arrr!

  1. Reviews and Online Reputation Management

Can cost you from $25 to $250 monthly or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package.

All right, listen up, people! Having a sound strategy and managing your online reviews are equally crucial for local SEO. Let me explain it to you in simple terms: When making a purchase, 80% of people rely on online reviews, so you need to be sure you’re representing yourself well there.

Google Maps is watching you, and I mean that in the creepiest way possible. They take your review rating into consideration when deciding which local results to show first. So if you’re getting low ratings, it’s like the internet equivalent of a public shaming, and it can drop your reputation real quick.

Now, that’s where local SEO comes in. They got you covered with reputation management, which is like a secret agent working 24/7 to protect your online reputation. Some local SEO companies will even automate the process of getting fresh reviews, and others will use email marketing and social media to encourage customers to leave a review. And if you really want to step up your game, some local SEO agencies even have account managers who will respond to any review that pops up and keep your online credibility intact.

  1. Social Media Management

Can cost you from $100 to $1000 monthly or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package.

Listen up folks, incorporating social media marketing into your local SEO strategy is like hitting a home run in the World Series! Social media is like the VIP entrance to the party of engagement with your potential customers. You can share all the cool stuff you got going on, like those sweet deals and upcoming events, in the most interactive and easy way possible. Sure, there’s a ton of social platforms out there, and adding all of them to your local SEO services might make your wallet cry, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Your local SEO agency can take the cheap route and just create a couple of social media accounts that most of your customers use. Then they can post content like they’re just sending a text to a friend. This option might not give you the visibility boost you need, but it’ll keep you present in the online world.

Or, if you’re feeling fancy, the SEO experts can create a full-blown SMM strategy, like a chef making a five-star meal. They’ll analyze your market and create unique, valuable content just for your target audience. And the cherry on top? They’ll also promote your biz with some ads, so more people can see your posts. It’s like having a billboard in the middle of Times Square!

  1. Reporting

Can cost you from $80 per month or from $1,000 to $2,500 monthly when included in a package.

cost of local seo for small businesses

Get ready to join the nerd squad, because Local SEO reporting will have you nerding out over all the juicy performance details! With all the metrics and data tracked, you’ll finally have a bird’s eye view of what’s been done and the results it’s brought to the table. And don’t worry, the monthly reporting is already included in the cost of your local SEO services, so you can keep a close eye on your investment and make sure you’re getting more bang for your buck!

Final Thoughts

Oh boy, if you own a business in a certain neighborhood, you better buckle up and get ready to invest in some local SEO magic! I know, I know, the cost of local SEO can make your wallet cry, but just think of all the exposure and sales that’ll come pouring in!

Don’t believe me? Check out my latest blog post, where I spill the tea on 18 mind-blowing benefits of local SEO. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

If you would like help with your business’s SEO and get a free SEO consultation, contact JC Web Designs today.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top