With the rapid digital evolution, businesses need to leverage local SEO to stay ahead of their competitors. According to the way search engines rank results, local businesses must have a strong online presence in order to catch the eye of a customer in their vicinity. Freelance local SEO consultants have the expertise businesses need to improve their online presence. However, the most common question everyone asks is: what is the cost of local SEO? The cost of local SEO is crucial for businesses seeking to invest in this service.
As a local SEO expert with 8+ years of local SEO experience, I can tell you that I’ve worked with businesses that have done it right and businesses that haven’t, and everything in between. In this blog, we are going to guide you through what a freelance local SEO consultant does, factors that affect local SEO pricing, and the best freelancing local SEO for you.
What Is a Freelance Local SEO Consultant?
A freelance local SEO consultant is a professional who specializes in assisting businesses in optimizing their websites and online presence for local search results. Local SEO focuses on optimizing keywords specific to a geographic area and making sure a business shows up on the search results to users in that geographic area. This encompasses controlling listings in local directories, optimizing Google My Business (GMB) profile, local backlinks, etc.
In contrast to bigger SEO agencies, a freelance local SEO consultant excels in personalized services and a more extensive and tailored approach for each client. Freelancers tend to take a different mindset when it comes to working with clients, leveraging their specialties with more flexibility and customization based on the client’s budget and needs. And for local businesses who want to appear at the top of search results, a freelance consultant can offer more personal service and tailor their strategies to help you climb the rankings.
Having worked for my own local SEO consultancy, I have seen first-hand how businessess can benefit from ranking higher on Google for the right local keywords and having an optimally set up Google My Business profile. The effects have been significant for customer engagement and local traffic, with many clients reporting increases in their search rankings and overall sales.
What Influences the Pricing of Local SEO
Asking what influences the pricing is one of the first questions businesses have when looking into local SEO costs. So, what do freelance local SEO consultants consider when pricing their services? Some of these include the complexity of the project, competition within the local market, and the specialized SEO services required.
Cost of Local SEO Services in a Highly Competitive Industry: If you run your business in a highly competitive industry (e.g., real estate, law, etc.), you will need a lot more work to rank in the search results, making local SEO services more costly. On the other hand, businesses with some less competitive sectors or ones in smaller towns might face cheaper local SEO pricing.
Also, what type of services you require can have a major impact on pricing. A consultant can provide a comprehensive range of services such as keyword research, on-page optimization, local link building, and GMB optimization. Or, you may mostly take a targeted approach, focusing on specific facets of local SEO that will impact the overall price.
In my experience working with clients from smaller local shops to more substantial service-based companies, I’ve seen a wide range of costs. A big letter solution for an aggressive field is going to cost you more, but the long-term ROI on it will also prove beneficial.
Local SEO Services Average Cost
How much does local SEO cost? The average cost of local SEO is hard to determine due to the variation in prices depending on the services and experience of the consultant, as well as the scope of the project. But I can give you some anecdotal estimates based on my work with companies of different sizes.
A simple local SEO service can cost you somewhere between $300 to $1000 per month, depending on the quality of service. This includes Google My Business profile optimization, local citation building, and local keyword optimization performed on the website.
Local SEO packages that cover more extensive work, such as recurring content, links, and detailed reporting on a monthly basis, might cost up to $1000-$5000 a month.
However, for a freelance local SEO consultant, these prices can be on the low end relative to larger SEO agencies. Freelancers typically have lower overhead than larger agencies, which can make them a more affordable option for small businesses.
Though on the contrary, a more seasoned consultant with a proven track record of success may demand a higher fee for their services, the return on investment (ROI) can make the expense worthwhile.
Having worked with hundreds of local businesses, I can confidently say that engaging the services of freelance local SEO consultants can help companies rank better in local search, which invariably leads to more leads and sales. Costs may, of course, vary, but the ROI generally justifies the investment, especially for businesses with a very high focus on local customers.
What Is Included in Local SEO Cost?
To make sense of it, though, you need to understand what exactly you’re going to be paying for. Local SEO freelance consultants usually offer a diverse range of services that help enhance your website’s local visibility. These services may include, but are not limited to.
GMB Optimization: One of the most essential local SEO activities is to properly optimize your Google My Business (GMB) profile. Your business name, address, phone number (NAP), hours, and other crucial data are correct and optimized for local search queries, with the help of a consultant. This move is essential for boosting your presence in local search results, especially in Google’s local pack.
Local Keyword Research: A freelance local SEO consultant will do extensive keyword research to find out local search terms that are most relevant and high-converting for your type of business. These then will be implemented into your website’s copy to help you show up for local searches.
On-Page Optimization: You need to optimize meta tags, title tags, header tags, and content on your website to include relevant local keywords. So, a consultant might also edit your internal linking structure to improve crawlability and user experience across your site.
Local Link Building: Building local backlinks from relevant websites (i.e., local news outlets and directories) is key to improving your local authority/ranking. A local SEO consultant will try to get backlinks from local businesses, organizations, and industry-relevant sites.
Measuring Success: The importance of local citations for local SEO Local Citations: You need to ensure that your business is mentioned correctly across local directories like Yelp Yellow Pages and other niche-based local directories. These citations are managed and cleaned up by a freelance consultant who delivers consistency across the web.
From what I’ve seen, an all-around effort with local SEO yields measurable increases in organic traffic as well as foot traffic for businesses. That’s going to differ depending on your specific industry and region, but a holistic local SEO strategy pays dividends in the long haul.
The cost of Local SEO for small businesses
Local SEO Costs & Small Businesses: Is Local SEO in Your Budget? The answer is contingent upon your business goals, industry type, and the kind of services you need. This is how a good local marketing strategy can be a game changer for small businesses reliant on local customers. On average, local SEO services for a small business typically cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500 per month, but done right, the return on investment can be substantial.
A local restaurant I recently worked with, for example, wanted to its visibility in a highly competitive market. We created a customized local SEO strategy, dealing with their GMB profile, picking up local citations, and backlinks from local companies. Within months, they saw their local search visibility skyrocket, translating into more reservations and increased foot traffic.
While these costs could be a bit high for small businesses, imagine the potential they have to bring in qualified, local traffic, which leads to increased revenue. Local SEO has a high ROI compared to other types of advertising and can be relatively low to maintain over time, as long as you adjust to the growth of your business.
Final Thought
Is it a wise long-term investment to hire a freelance local SEO consultant?Freelance local SEO consultant services can be one of the best investments in terms of increased visibility with local customers. Local SEO can be expensive, but businesses that invest in experienced SEO services typically receive high returns in the form of improved search rankings, more local visitors, and ultimately more leads or sales.
When compared to the certain cost of traditional advertising methods, the average price of a nearby search engine marketing strategy can be pretty low-cost for many small organizations.In my view, the price of local SEO is the price we must pay, considering its long-lasting results.
From tailoring strategies for small businesses fighting for competitive advantages to larger companies dominating the local SERPs, a freelance local SEO consultant can help you find your niche and produce quantifiable results. The trick is to identify a consultant with an extensive history of success who can offer services that are adapted to your unique needs. But, with the right approach and investment, local SEO can be your company’s game changer for long-term results in the digital marketplace.
FAQ
How much does an SEO freelancer charge?
SEO freelancers typically charge between $50 to $150 per hour, depending on their experience, expertise, and the complexity of the project. Some may offer fixed-price packages ranging from $500 to $5,000 or more for specific services such as keyword research, on-page optimization, or content creation. Rates can vary based on the scope of work and the industry.
How much does it cost to hire an SEO consultant?
The cost of hiring an SEO consultant can range from $100 to $300 per hour depending on their experience, reputation, and the complexity of the project. Some consultants offer monthly retainers starting at around $1,000 to $5,000 per month for ongoing SEO strategy, implementation, and reporting. Prices can vary depending on the level of service and the consultant’s track record of success.
How much should I charge for local SEO services?
For local SEO services, the typical pricing can range from $500 to $2,500 per month, depending on the scope of the services you provide. This may include optimizing Google My Business listings, local keyword optimization, citation building, and improving local search rankings. For one-time services like local SEO audits or local business website optimization, fees can range from $500 to $3,000.
How much do SEO freelancers make?
SEO freelancers can earn an average of $50,000 to $100,000 per year, though this can vary significantly based on experience, specialization, and the number of clients they work with. More experienced freelancers with a strong portfolio or niche expertise can potentially earn upwards of $150,000 per year. Freelancers working with high-profile clients or on large-scale projects may also command higher fees.
Is it worth paying for SEO?
Yes, investing in SEO can be highly worthwhile for most businesses. SEO helps improve search engine rankings, which can lead to more organic traffic, brand visibility, and higher conversion rates. While it requires an upfront investment, SEO provides long-term benefits by attracting a steady stream of targeted visitors without relying on paid ads. The ROI can be significant, particularly for businesses that rely on online sales or leads.
