If you’ve found yourself Googling ‘How much does SEO cost in 2025?’ you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get asked. Right up there with ‘How long does SEO take?’ and ‘Can you make me number one on Google by next Tuesday?’

Spoiler alert: probably not. But we can tell you what it’ll cost.

Whether you’re a small business owner in Bristol or a growing eCommerce brand in Leeds, SEO is still one of the best ways to get seen online. But let’s be honest, SEO pricing in the UK can feel like the Wild West. One agency quotes £400 a month. Another wants £4,000. Both say they’ll boost your visibility. So what’s the real deal?

That’s exactly what we’re breaking down in this blog.

At Nautilus Marketing, we like to keep things transparent, jargon-free (and a little bit cheeky). We’re not here to confuse you with buzzwords or empty promises. Just a solid breakdown of what SEO costs in 2025, what affects those prices, and how to make sure you’re actually getting your money’s worth.

What do we mean by ‘SEO cost?’

Before we get stuck into pounds and pricing, let’s clear something up. When people ask how much does SEO cost, they’re rarely asking the same thing. SEO isn’t one task or tool. It’s a whole ecosystem of moving parts. We’re talking on-page tweaks (like improving your site content and structure), off-page signals (such as backlinks and online mentions), technical fixes (think site speed and crawlability), local SEO for map packs and regional searches, and content strategy. It’s a lot. And that’s why costs vary so much.

Who you work with also plays a big role. You might hire a freelancer who specialises in one area. Maybe you opt for an agency like us that offers the full works. Or you bring someone in-house if you’ve got the budget. Each of these choices comes with different SEO pricing, strengths and limitations.

For example, a solo freelancer might charge less but won’t have the same bandwidth or tools an agency brings. An in-house hire gives you dedicated time, but with overheads and salaries in the mix, it’s a long-term investment.

Then there’s how the service is priced. SEO pricing models come in a few flavours. Some charge by the hour. Others prefer monthly retainers. You’ll also see project-based fees for one-off jobs like audits or migrations. And then there’s performance-based pricing, where payment is tied to specific outcomes. We’ll break each of these down shortly. For now, just know that SEO cost isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on what you need and who’s doing the work.

SEO pricing models in the UK

Let’s talk money. SEO services in the UK come with different pricing setups, and each one suits a different kind of business. Whether you’re a one-person show or running a growing empire, there’s a model that can fit. Just don’t expect a universal rate. SEO pricing depends on who you’re working with and how they package things.

Monthly retainers

This is the most common model in the UK, and for good reason. SEO takes time. It’s not a one-hit wonder. Monthly retainers give you consistent support, regular reporting and ongoing improvements.

Typical cost:

  • Small businesses: £300 to £1,000
  • Medium-sized companies: £1,500 to £4,000
  • Larger brands: £5,000 and up

Pros:

  • Reliable, steady work
  • Easier to budget for
  • Builds momentum over time

Cons:

  • Can feel expensive if you don’t understand what’s being done
  • You need to commit for a few months to see results

At Nautilus, most of our SEO clients are on retainers. That’s where we get to build real progress (and flex our nerdy skills). It’s also where we can manage your SEO cost more effectively over time.

Hourly rates

Some SEO consultants charge by the hour. This model is good for one-off advice… and helps keep your SEO cost flexible.

Typical cost:

£50 to £150 per hour depending on experience

Pros:

  • Great for ad-hoc support
  • You only pay for the time used

Cons:

  • Costs can rack up quickly
  • Not ideal for long-term SEO work

Project-based pricing

Got a specific job in mind? Like an audit, a technical clean-up, or optimising a batch of pages? Project-based pricing covers a defined scope of work with a fixed fee.

Typical SEO cost:

From £500 to £5,000 depending on complexity

Pros:

  • Clear start and end
  • Fixed cost upfront
  • Perfect for one-time tasks

Cons:

  • No long-term support
  • May not cover follow-ups or future tweaks

Performance-based SEO

Sounds tempting, right? Only pay when results are delivered. Usually, this means payment is tied to rankings or traffic goals. But there’s a catch.

Typical SEO cost:

Varies wildly. Some charge a base fee plus bonuses.

Pros:

  • Low risk upfront
  • Motivates the provider to deliver results

Cons:

  • Not always transparent
  • You could end up paying more in the long run
  • Sometimes based on vanity metrics

Be cautious with this model. It can work, but it often overpromises. Some shady providers rely on tricks to show fast wins that don’t stick.

In the end, the best pricing model depends on your goals, budget and how involved you want to be. If you’re unsure, ask questions. A good SEO team (like us, just saying) will always be clear about what’s included, what it costs, and why it matters.

How much SEO typically costs in the UK (2025 figures)

Let’s cut to the chase. You want real numbers. So here they are.

SEO pricing in the UK depends on a few key things. How big your business is. What your goals are. And how much heavy lifting your website needs.

To keep things simple, we’ve broken it down by business size, with examples to give you a feel for what you’d actually get for your money.

1. Small businesses and startups (£300–£1,000 per month)

If you’re a local business, a solo founder, or a startup dipping your toe into SEO, this is usually your bracket. It’s ideal for getting the basics right without blowing the budget.

What you might get:

  • A website audit to see what’s working (and what’s not)
  • Keyword research for your local area or niche
  • On-page fixes for key pages
  • Google Business Profile optimisation
  • Basic monthly reporting

Example package:

A dog groomer in Manchester pays £500 a month for local SEO support. They get four pages optimised, a monthly blog and a monthly check-in call. Rankings have steadily climbed over six months. No wizardry, just solid, consistent SEO.

Things to know:

This price range usually doesn’t include lots of content creation or link-building. You’ll likely need patience too. Results take time, especially on a small budget.

2. Mid-size businesses (£1,500–£4,000 per month)

This is the sweet spot for growing businesses that want to ramp up their visibility. At this level, SEO becomes more strategic and involves more hands-on work across your site.

What you might get:

  • In-depth technical and content audits
  • Competitor analysis
  • Regular content creation (like blogs or landing pages)
  • Ongoing keyword tracking and page tweaks
  • Monthly reports with actionable insights
  • Some link outreach or digital PR

Example package:

A furniture retailer in Kent spends £2,000 per month with a UK agency. Their package includes two blogs, one landing page rewrite per month, backlink outreach, and monthly strategy meetings. Within eight months, organic traffic has doubled.

Things to know:

This is where you can expect a more proactive approach. You’re not just maintaining a presence. You’re building momentum. And with the right team behind you, the results should start to show in your bottom line.

3. Larger businesses and enterprises (£5,000–£10,000+ per month)

If you’re an established brand, national company, or eCommerce giant, your SEO needs are on a different level. You’re not just chasing a few local keywords. You’re battling big competition and aiming for serious traffic.

What you might get:

  • Fully managed SEO strategy
  • International targeting if needed
  • Technical SEO at scale
  • Regular content campaigns with assets, blogs and landing pages
  • High-quality backlink building and digital PR
  • Custom reporting dashboards
  • Dedicated account manager and full team support

Example package:

An online fashion retailer works with an agency at £8,000 per month. Their package includes two weekly blogs, constant site optimisation, PR campaigns, and content designed to rank nationally. Their SEO now outperforms paid ads in terms of conversions.

Things to know:

At this level, SEO isn’t a line item. It’s part of the company’s growth engine. Expect more strategy, more collaboration, and more moving parts. The return on investment can be huge, but only if you’re working with the right people.

A quick note on cheap SEO

Yes, you can find SEO providers offering packages for £99. And yes, they might even promise results. But ask yourself… what can someone realistically do for that price?

Probably not much beyond automating reports or stuffing a few keywords into your site. At Nautilus, we don’t do shortcuts. They might work short-term, but they never last.

What should you pay?

It depends on your goals. If you want to rank in your local town, you won’t need the same budget as a national chain. But whatever your size, your SEO investment should match what you want to achieve.

And if you’re still unsure? Drop the Nauti Nerds a message. We’re always happy to give honest advice and walk you through what SEO pricing might look like for your business.

SEO prices by business type and industry

Let’s be real. No two businesses are the same, and neither are their SEO prices and needs. A local cake shop won’t need the same strategy (or budget) as a national insurance firm. SEO pricing often hinges on how competitive your space is and how wide you want to cast your net.

Below, we’ve broken down SEO prices by business type and industry to show you what affects the numbers.

Local business – keeping it close to home

If you’re targeting customers in your area (like a florist in York or a dog walker in Cardiff), your SEO needs are more focused. You’ll be aiming to show up in the map pack, get good reviews, and appear for searches like “best [your service] near me.”

Expected cost: £300 to £1,500 per month

Why? You’re not battling national brands. Local SEO is more about Google Business Profile tweaks, on-page fixes, and backlinks from local directories or press.

Keep your site simple, mobile-friendly, and fast. Google loves that stuff.

National brand – reaching the whole UK

Now we’re in bigger league territory. National brands face more competition and that means more SEO work. You’ll need content targeting lots of keywords, backlinks from trusted sources and a well-optimised site that works like a charm.

Expected cost: £2,000 to £6,000+ per month

Why? You’re competing against bigger players. The strategy has to cover more ground, with tighter tracking, regular updates, and constant tweaks. Google’s always changing. If you’re playing nationally, you need to stay on your toes.

eCommerce – products, products, products

eCommerce SEO is a different beast. You’re not just selling one thing. You’ve got product pages, category pages, filters, site search, and all sorts of crawl traps to manage.

Expected cost: £2,500 to £10,000+ per month

Why? It’s more technical. You’ll also need product descriptions that actually help you rank, plus content to support those products. Oh, and your site architecture matters more than you’d think.

Never copy-paste supplier product text. It tanks your rankings faster than you can say “duplicate content.”

Competitive industries: finance, law, insurance

SEO in high-stakes sectors is tough. You’re not just trying to beat your neighbour. You’re up against companies with deep pockets and big marketing teams.

Expected cost: £3,000 to £10,000+ per month

Why? These spaces are crowded, and trust signals matter more. Expect a focus on E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authority, trust), link-building from strong sites, and long-form content written by people who know their stuff.

Some law firms spend over £100K per year on SEO. Madness? Maybe. Effective? Yep.

Niche businesses and startups

Got a very specific product or service? That can actually work in your favour. Less competition means you might not need to go head-to-head with the big boys, but you still need to be found.

Expected SEO cost: £500 to £2,000 per month

Why? While the search volume might be lower, you still need to educate your audience, build trust, and be visible in all the right places.

Need help explaining what you do? That’s where content-led SEO shines. It’s about building demand and awareness.

B2B vs B2C – same game, different pitch

SEO for B2B isn’t always about volume. It’s about quality leads. You’re often dealing with longer sales cycles and more technical language. B2C, on the other hand, tends to focus on quick wins, eye-catching content, and direct conversions.

B2B pricing: £1,500 to £6,000 per month

B2C pricing: £1,000 to £5,000 per month

Why? B2B often involves more strategy and education. B2C needs faster-paced updates and product-focused SEO. Whether you sell software or socks, the end goal is still the same: to be found when people search for you.

Different industries bring different challenges. That’s why SEO pricing isn’t plucked from thin air. At Nautilus Marketing, we never offer cookie-cutter quotes. Instead, we look at what your business actually needs, then we build a plan to match.

What affects SEO cost the most?

By now, you’ve probably gathered that SEO isn’t one-size-fits-anything. The SEO cost can vary wildly depending on what your website needs and what you’re trying to achieve. Here’s a breakdown of the main factors that impact how much you’ll pay.

1. The scope of the work

This is the big one. What actually needs doing?

Are you just looking for a quick keyword tidy-up? Or do you need a full-blown overhaul that includes tech fixes, content planning and link outreach?

Here’s what might be included:

  • Technical improvements (speed, crawlability, mobile usability)
  • On-page work (titles, meta descriptions, content updates)
  • Content strategy and production (blogs, landing pages, guides)
  • Link building and digital PR
  • Reporting and analysis

The more moving parts involved, the higher the cost. At Nautilus, we tailor each SEO plan to what you actually need. No fluff. No filler.

2. Website size and health

Big websites take more time to manage. A 10-page brochure site is very different to a 2,000-product eCommerce platform.

Things that affect pricing:

  • Number of pages to optimise
  • Structure of the site
  • Past SEO efforts (or lack of them)
  • Errors that need fixing (broken links, duplicate content, missing metadata)

We’ve worked on websites that are in tip-top shape… and others that feel like they’ve been stitched together with digital duct tape. Guess which ones need more work?

3. Current rankings and future goals

If you’re already ranking on page one for some keywords, you’re in a strong spot. Improving your position will still take work, but less than starting from scratch.

On the flip side, if your site doesn’t show up for anything relevant, you’ll need a more involved strategy to gain traction.

More ambitious goals = more input.

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

  • Want to go from page 2 to page 1? Doable with steady work.
  • Want to go from invisible to top 3 for competitive terms? That’s going to take time, content, links, and elbow grease.

At Nautilus, we’ll always be honest about how far away your goals are and what it’ll take to get there.

4. Your target location

Local SEO and national SEO are very different beasts. The same goes for international targeting.

Local SEO

  • Optimising for searches in a specific area
  • Focuses on map listings, local directories, and nearby keywords
  • Less competition, lower SEO cost

National SEO

  • Competing across the UK
  • Requires broader keyword targeting, more content, and better links
  • Medium to high SEO cost

International SEO

  • Multiple countries, languages, and search behaviours
  • Includes hreflang tags, country-specific domains or folders, and complex strategy
  • High cost (and worth doing right)

A local cafe in Brighton and a global software firm won’t need the same methodology. Neither should be paying the same price.

5. Your platform or CMS

What your site is built on affects how easy (or painful) it is to optimise. Some platforms play nicely with SEO. Others? Not so much.

Common platforms and how they behave:

WordPress:

Flexible, widely supported, and SEO-friendly when set up correctly

Shopify:

Great for eCommerce, but has limitations (like URL structure)

Wix/Squarespace:

Improving, but not ideal for advanced SEO

Custom-built sites:

Varies massively – could be brilliant or a total nightmare

If your platform puts up a fight, the SEO work will take longer. More time equals more SEO cost. But don’t worry, the Nauti Nerds have handled all sorts. Even the stubborn ones. Contact us today!

SEO pricing isn’t just pulled out of thin air. They’re based on real factors that impact how much work is involved and how long it’ll take. That’s why at Nautilus Marketing, we never offer cookie-cutter quotes. We look at your website, your goals, and your setup, then we build something that makes sense for you.

DIY SEO vs hiring an expert

Trying to decide whether to go full DIY, hire a freelancer, or bring in an agency? You’re not alone. It’s a question we hear a lot, usually from business owners who’ve watched a few YouTube videos and thought, “How hard can this be?”

Spoiler: harder than it looks.

Can you do SEO yourself?

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: it depends how much time, patience, and brain space you’ve got.

There are plenty of beginner guides out there. You can learn the basics, run your own audits, write some content, and even start building links. But unless you’re living for keyword tracking and schema markup, you might struggle to keep it up long term.

DIY SEO pros:

  • Low upfront cost
  • You stay in full control
  • Great for learning how your site works

DIY SEO cons:

  • Time-consuming
  • Easy to miss technical stuff
  • Mistakes can do more harm than good
  • You’ll be guessing at what works

We’ve met business owners who did a great job on their own. We’ve also met plenty who accidentally blocked their entire site from Google. Oops.

Hiring a freelancer

A good freelancer can be a solid option if you need support without the full agency setup. Many specialise in specific areas like content writing, technical audits, or local SEO.

Freelancer pros:

  • Lower cost than an agency
  • More flexible working style
  • Can feel like an extension of your team

Freelancer cons:

  • Limited capacity
  • May lack tools or backup
  • Not ideal if you need help with everything

Just make sure they’re transparent and don’t promise the moon. “Page one in two weeks” is usually code for “I’m winging it.”

Hiring an agency (like us!)

An agency gives you the full package. Strategy, content, tech fixes, link outreach, tracking, and everything in between. Plus, you’ve got a team, not just one person working behind the scenes.

Agency pros:

  • More hands on deck
  • Access to tools, data, and reporting
  • Broader knowledge and experience
  • Strategy-led, not guesswork

Agency cons:

  • Higher monthly cost
  • Not all agencies are created equal

At Nautilus Marketing, we don’t do cookie-cutter campaigns. We figure out what your site actually needs, then make a plan that fits. No fluff. Just focused, nerd-powered SEO pricing that gets results.

What to expect at different budget levels

£0 to £300/month: You’re likely DIY-ing it or working with a newbie freelancer. Expect small wins, slow pace, and limited input.

£500 to £1,500/month: Basic SEO support. Could be a local-focused strategy or a small-scale content plan.

£2,000 to £5,000/month: A more strategic approach with regular updates, technical fixes, and real growth potential.

£5,000+ per month: Full service. Perfect for brands with big plans, big websites, or big competition.

If your budget is tight and you’ve got time to spare, DIY might be a good place to start. But if you’re serious about growing online, working with the right expert can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes.

And if you want to chat through what might suit your business best? You know where to find the Nauti Nerds.

Red flags: when “cheap SEO” costs more

We get it. Everyone loves a bargain. But when it comes to SEO, cheap isn’t always cheerful. In fact, it can end up costing you more in the long run.

Bad SEO isn’t just a bit sloppy. It can tank your rankings, trigger penalties, or leave your site buried so deep in Google that even you can’t find it.

Hidden costs of bargain-bin SEO

If someone’s offering SEO pricing for £99 a month, ask yourself… what exactly are they doing?

Because it probably isn’t:

  • Researching keywords properly
  • Creating fresh, helpful content
  • Earning quality backlinks
  • Fixing technical issues

What you might get is keyword stuffing, copied content, and dodgy link schemes. And once Google catches on? You’ll be spending a lot more trying to undo the damage.

Signs they’re too cheap to trust

  1. Vague reports
  2. No clear strategy
  3. Promises of instant results
  4. Overuse of “secret methods”
  5. Refusal to explain what they’re doing

If it all feels a bit mysterious, it’s probably not worth your time (or your budget).

Good SEO takes time

There’s no magic switch. Real SEO is about building visibility, trust, and relevance over time. It’s a long game. But it’s one worth playing.

At Nautilus, we’d rather be upfront than overpromise. We won’t hit you with bargain SEO prices and empty reports. We’ll give you a clear plan, honest timeframes, and proper support. No shortcuts.

Because fixing bad SEO? That’s way more expensive than getting it right from the start.

What to look for in an SEO quote

Not all SEO quotes are created equal. A fair one should break down what you’re actually paying for, not just toss out a monthly figure and hope you nod along. Look for clear deliverables like technical audits, keyword tracking, on-page optimisation, content creation, and link outreach. If it just says “SEO – £500/month,” that’s not a quote, that’s a shrug. A good provider will explain what they’re doing, why it matters, and how it’ll be tracked. That way, you know where your money’s going.

Before signing anything, ask questions. Lots of them. What tools do they use? How do they measure progress? Will you get reports? What happens if results are slower than expected? If they get cagey, walk away. At Nautilus, we believe pricing should be as clear as your website navigation (well, after we’ve worked on it). Vague SEO pricing usually means vague work. And in SEO pricing, vague gets you nowhere.

Check out also this video about “How Long Does IT Take To See Results From SEO & Ads?”

Ready to invest in SEO that actually works?

So, how much does SEO cost in 2025? As you’ve seen, there’s no single answer. A local café won’t need the same strategy (or budget) as a national law firm. What matters is finding an SEO setup that fits your goals, your business size, and your current position online.

Here’s the quick recap:

  • SEO pricing in the UK can range from £300 to £10,000+ per month
  • Pricing depends on factors like your site’s health, your industry, and the scope of work needed
  • Different pricing models suit different businesses. Monthly retainers are the most common, but you’ll also see hourly, project-based, and performance-led options
  • Cheap SEO isn’t always a win. It can cause more harm than good if corners are cut

Whether you go DIY, freelance, or full agency, the right choice is the one that gets results without the nonsense

At Nautilus Marketing, we don’t do smoke and mirrors. We don’t rely on jargon or flashy gimmicks. What we do offer is honest advice, nerd-powered strategies, and a team that genuinely cares about getting your site where it needs to be. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take things up a level, we’ll help you figure out what’s realistic for your budget, and what’s going to deliver real impact.

Want a no-obligation chat about your SEO cost goals? Drop us a message. We’ll take a proper look at your site, explain what’s worth doing, and build a plan that makes sense. No pressure. No waffle. Just good SEO.