How Much Does It Cost to Hire an SEO Company in the UK

Imagine having a beautifully designed website, but no one ever finds it. It is like opening a shop in the middle of nowhere without a single road leading to it. This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in—it helps people find your website easily.

SEO is not just about ranking higher on Google; it is also about attracting the right customers to your website, increasing sales, and building a strong online presence. But how much does it actually cost to hire an SEO Company in the UK?

However, the answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Some businesses spend a few hundred pounds a month, while others spend thousands, depending on their needs.

SEO costs depend on the agency’s experience, the scope of work, and how competitive your industry is.

In this guide, we will learn different SEO pricing by type of agency, factors that influence costs, and what you can expect when hiring an SEO company in the UK.

Whether you run a small business or a large one, we will help you understand how much to budget for SEO and the cost to hire an SEO company in the UK.

Benefits of Investing in Professional SEO Services

Investing in professional SEO services is like planting seeds for your business’s growth. Over time, these efforts lead to more visitors to your website, stronger brand awareness, and higher sales.

Here is why working with an SEO company can make a big difference for your business.

Increased Website Traffic

SEO helps your website rank higher on search engines like Google. Imagine your business appearing on the first page whenever someone searches for products or services you offer—exciting, right?

An SEO company uses strategies like keyword optimisation, content creation, and link building to bring more organic traffic to your site. Unlike paid ads like PPC marketing that stop delivering the moment you stop paying, organic traffic through SEO keeps flowing consistently.

Better User Experience

SEO is not only about pleasing search engines but also about enhancing user experience. An SEO expert like James Dooley optimises your site’s loading speed, ensures it works well on mobile, and creates an easy-to-navigate structure.

Have you ever clicked on a website that took too long to load? Frustrating, right? It is also a known fact that almost 40% of visitors leave your website if it takes longer to load.

However, professional SEO ensures your visitors don’t face such issues, keeping them engaged and reducing bounce rates.

Higher Conversion Rates

SEO-driven traffic isn’t random; it’s aimed at people who are already interested in what you offer.

For example, if you have an online shoe store, SEO helps your site appear when someone searches for “best running shoes in the UK.” This targeted traffic means more people are likely to buy your product, leading to higher conversion rates and, ultimately, more revenue.

Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness

SEO requires an initial investment, but its benefits are long-lasting. Unlike pay-per-click ads that stop bringing traffic once you stop paying, SEO keeps bringing visitors without extra costs.

Once your site is well-optimised and ranks high, it continues to attract visitors, making SEO one of the most cost-effective marketing tools in the long run.

Competitive Advantage

Think about it: your competitors are likely investing in SEO. If you don’t, you might risk falling behind. Hiring a professional SEO company helps you stay competitive, rank higher than your competitors, and reach more customers.

SEO professionals always watch what your competitors are doing and adjust your strategies to help you stay ahead.

Average Cost to Hire an SEO Company in the UK

The average cost to hire an SEO company in the UK ranges from £500 to £20,000+ per month. The cost of hiring can vary depending on factors like your business size, industry competition, the agency’s expertise, and the scope of services required.

You can take a closer look at the below table, which includes the average costs you can expect.

🔘The table shows that if you have a small business, the SEO company can charge £500 - £1,500 per month. This package is ideal for local businesses, startups, and small enterprises. It usually includes basic SEO services like implementing fundamentals of keyword research, on-page optimisation, and local SEO. 

🔘Medium-sized businesses with a mid-range budget may have to pay £2,000 - £5,000 per month, which covers services like content creation, technical SEO, link building, and regular performance reporting. It suits businesses aiming for regional or national reach.

🔘An SEO company can charge £10,000+ per month to larger enterprises, which includes content marketing, high-quality backlinks, and advanced technical optimisations.

Breakdown of SEO Costs

SEO pricing is not the same for everyone. This is because SEO prices depend on various elements like the type of services required, competition level, and business goals.

The cost to hire an SEO company in the UK also varies based on the services you opt for. Here is a detailed breakdown of what you might be paying for.

Keyword Research & Strategy

Cost: £300 - £1,000

Keyword research is the most essential part of the SEO. An SEO company finds the most relevant and high-performing keywords for your business,  ensuring your content targets what your audience is searching for. This includes analysing competitor keywords, search volume, and keyword difficulty.

Content Creation & Optimisation

Cost: £100 - £500 per article

Content is king in SEO. Professional SEO services help create high-quality and engaging content that your audience finds relatable and is optimised for search engines.

This can include blog posts, product descriptions, landing pages, and more. Each piece is created with targeted keywords, meta descriptions, and proper formatting to improve your site’s ranking.

Technical SEO & Website Audit

Cost: £500 - £5,000

Technical SEO focuses on improving the backend of your website. This includes improving your site load times, fixing broken links, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and creating a clear site structure.

Regular audits identify and resolve technical issues that may affect your SEO performance.

Link Building Campaigns

Cost: £1,000 - £5,000 per month

Building high-quality backlinks from trusted websites is important for improving your site’s ranking and authority. SEO companies create link-building strategies, reach out to authoritative sites, and secure backlinks that enhance your SEO.

Local SEO Services

Cost: £500 - £2,500 per month

If you have a local business, SEO companies help optimise your Google My Business profile, which helps you rank higher on Google My Business Listing.

It also helps manage local citations and ensure your business appears in local search results. This service is essential for attracting customers from your local area.

E-commerce SEO

Cost: £2,000 - £7,000 per month

E-commerce SEO focuses on improving product pages and category pages and adding structured data to enhance visibility in search engine results. SEO companies also ensure your online store is user-friendly and optimised for conversions.

Main Type of SEO Services and Their Costs

There are various types of SEO services, and each helps target specific aspects of a website’s performance and online visibility.

However, we will learn the three primary types of SEO services: On-page, Off-page, and Technical SEO.

Understanding these types and their costs can help businesses choose the services and SEO companies based on their needs.

On-Page SEO

Cost: £500 - £5,000

On-page SEO focuses on optimising each page on your website to rank higher in search results. It includes keyword optimisation in your content, headings, and meta tags.

Content enhancement ensures your content is engaging, image optimisation reduces load times, and internal linking makes it easier to navigate your site.

The cost depends on the number of pages optimised and the complexity of the work involved.

Off-Page SEO

Cost: £1,000 - £5,000 per month

Off-page SEO improves your site’s authority through external actions. Off-age SEO includes:

🔘Acquiring backlinks from trusted sources.

🔘Promoting content across the platforms through social media marketing.

🔘Increasing visibility through influencer outreach and brand mentions.

The cost of this type of SEO service varies based on the number and quality of backlinks and how competitive your industry is.

Technical SEO

Cost: £500 - £5,000

Technical SEO optimises your website’s infrastructure. It includes site speed improvements, mobile optimisation, and structured data implementation.

It also involves fixing crawl errors and securing your site with HTTPS. The cost depends on the website’s complexity and technical issues that need fixing.

SEO Pricing by Type of Agency

The cost to hire an SEO company in the UK depends on the type of agency you hire. Each option offers different levels of service, expertise, and pricing, making it essential to choose one that aligns with your business needs and budget.

Freelancers

Cost: £50 - £150 per hour

Freelancers are often the most affordable option for businesses with tight budgets, like startups and small businesses. They usually offer flexible services like keyword research, on-page SEO, and content optimisation.

However, since freelancers work independently, they may have limited access to resources or tools compared to agencies.

Some freelancers have extensive experience, while others may not have the advanced tools to team support that larger agencies provide. This option is ideal for businesses that need basic SEO without paying the high costs of larger firms.

Small SEO Agencies

Cost: £500 - £2,500 per month

Small SEO agencies offer a good balance of cost and quality, making them an excellent choice for growing businesses. They provide services like local SEO, keyword optimisation, technical audits, and link building.

With a small team, they can give you more personalized attention and customised strategies. These agencies bring a lot of experience and often deliver good results at an affordable price, making them a popular choice for local businesses and small companies.

Mid-Sized SEO Agencies

Cost: £2,500 - £7,500 per month

Mid-sized agencies are equipped to handle bigger SEO projects. They offer a full range of services like content marketing, technical SEO, competitive analysis, and large-scale link building.

With more resources and expertise than smaller agencies, they are great for medium to large businesses.

While their services may cost more, the value they provide with detailed strategies, in-depth analysis, and ongoing improvements often makes the cost worth it for businesses looking to grow and improve their online presence.

Large SEO Agencies

Cost: £7,500 - £20,000+ per month

Large SEO agencies work with big businesses that have complex digital marketing needs. They offer complete SEO services, including international SEO, advanced analysis, technical audits, and detailed content strategies.

Their high costs come from having a lot of resources, experienced teams, and access to top SEO tools.

Large agencies provide dedicated account managers, regular reports, and ongoing improvements, making them a good choice for businesses that want to rank high in search engines and reach a global audience.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Hire an SEO Company in the UK

SEO costs in the UK are influenced by many key factors that determine the scope and complexity of the services provided. These factors affect not only SEO prices but also the cost of hiring an SEO company in the UK. Here are some of the essential factors you should consider.

1. Industry Competitiveness

The first factor that affects the cost of hiring an SEO company is the competitiveness of your industry. Industries like finance, legal services, real estate, and e-commerce are very competitive and need more effort for SEO.

So, if your new business idea is related to these fields, you should know that it will require detailed strategies, including advanced keyword research, high-quality content creation, and link-building campaigns to rank more than competitors.

As a result, the higher the competition, the more time and resources will be required, leading to increased SEO costs.

2. Website Size and Complexity

The size and complexity of your website affect SEO costs. A small website with just a few pages is easier and costs less to optimise than a large e-commerce site with thousands of product pages.

Larger websites need more keyword research, content optimisation, and technical audits, which increases the cost to hire an SEO company in the UK.

Websites with complex features, like complicated navigation or dynamic content, need specialised technical SEO, making the process more time-consuming and expensive.

3. Service Scope

The type of SEO services you choose will also influence the cost. Basic SEO packages that focus on on-page optimisation and keyword research are usually more affordable.

However, comprehensive SEO services that include technical audits, content marketing, link building, and continuous monitoring are more affordable.

The bigger the service package, the higher the cost, as agencies need to spend more time, tools, and expertise. Businesses should consider their needs and choose a service that fits their goals and budget.

4. Agency Expertise

The experience and reputation of the SEO agency you choose also affect the cost. Agencies with a strong track record, skilled teams, and access to top SEO tools usually charge more.

Their expertise helps create better SEO strategies, leading to better results and higher ROI. On the other hand, less experienced agencies or freelancers may offer lower prices, but the quality of their services might not be as reliable.

Hiring a well-known agency can provide long-term benefits, making it a good investment for businesses looking to grow steadily.

5. Customisation and Tailored Strategies

SEO strategies that are customised for your business goals are usually more expensive than general ones. Customized strategies need more research and time to create, making them more effective for your business.

Tailored SEO plans often give better results, but they cost more because they require more effort and focus on your unique needs.

6. Agency Location and Size

Another factor that affects the cost is the location and size of the SEO agency. Agencies in major cities like London often have higher costs, which may be reflected in their prices.

Smaller agencies in less expensive areas may offer better prices, but their service level can vary.

Larger agencies with more staff and resources may charge more because they offer a wider range of services and have more people working on your project.

Hidden Costs You Should Be Aware Of

When hiring an SEO company, the initial quoted price may not always show the full cost of the service. It is important to be aware of hidden costs that can arise throughout the process.

🔘Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring

SEO is not a one-time job; it needs ongoing work to maintain your rankings and adjust to changes in search engine algorithms.

Many agencies offer initial SEO services but may charge extra for ongoing maintenance and monitoring. These costs usually cover regular SEO audits, updates, content changes, and performance reports.

Without proper maintenance, your website may lose its rankings over time, making this an important cost that is often forgotten.

🔘Content Creation and Copywriting

High-quality content is an essential part of any SEO strategy. Some agencies include content creation in their packages, while others may charge extra for it.

Tasks like copywriting, blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions can add to the cost. That is why it is important to clarify whether content creation is included in the SEO pricing or if it is an additional service.

🔘Link Building

Building high-quality backlinks is an important part of SEO, but it often comes with extra costs. Many agencies offer basic link-building, but getting links from trusted websites can be expensive.

Some agencies charge per link or offer packages based on the quality and quantity of backlinks. If link building is key to your strategy, ensure you understand all the costs involved.

🔘Technical SEO Fixes

While basic technical SEO may be included in some packages, more advanced fixes could cost extra.

Depending on the size of your website and the extent of technical issues, these costs can add up. Ensure you know what level of technical SEO is included in the package and what will cost extra.

🔘Paid Advertising and Social Media

Some SEO agencies offer packages that include paid ads and social media management. While SEO mainly works on improving organic rankings, some agencies can suggest using paid ads (like Google Ads) or social media ads to help your efforts.

These ads are separate from your regular SEO costs and can add extra expenses depending on your campaigns.

Trends Affecting SEO Costs in the UK

SEO keeps changing, and many marketing trends and strategies can affect SEO costs in the UK. Staying updated on these trends can help businesses plan for changes in pricing and adjust their strategy.

🔘Voice Search Optimisation

Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are being increasingly used by many, which makes voice search important.

This trend is affecting SEO costs as businesses now need to optimise their content for conversational keywords and phrases due to the need for better keyword targeting and content changes.

🔘Mobile-First Indexing

Google’s shift to mobile-first indexing means that mobile versions of websites are prioritised for ranking.

With mobile devices accounting for most web traffic, optimising websites for mobile is non-negotiable. This trend requires additional work on website design, speed, and user experience, increasing SEO service costs.

🔘AI and Automation

The use of AI trends and tools for keyword research, content optimisation, and data analysis is becoming essential. While these tools improve efficiency, they come with high costs, especially for agencies that use advanced AI-driven platforms.

🔘Focus on User Experience (UX)

As Google increasingly values user experience (UX) as a ranking factor, more businesses are focusing on improving their website’s UX, which may require additional resources and expertise.

Agencies may charge extra for UX-related services such as user testing, site design improvements, and conversion rate optimisation, impacting SEO costs.

🔘Video and Visual Content Optimisation

As video content grows in popularity, optimising videos for SEO is becoming essential. This includes improving titles, descriptions, and tags and making engaging content to boost visibility.

Image optimisation for faster loading and better ranking in image search is also key. Agencies offering video and visual SEO services may charge more because these tasks are more complex.

🔘Increased Demand for Local SEO

Businesses are focusing more on local SEO to attract nearby customers. As the demand for local listings, Google My Business optimisation, and localised content rises, so do the costs associated with these services.

Why Hiring Arramton Infotech for SEO Services Can Be Beneficial for You?

Arramton Infotech is a reliable SEO company with years of experience helping businesses succeed online. They offer personalised SEO strategies that meet your business goals, industry, and target audience.

Their services cover everything from on-page and off-page SEO to technical optimisation and content marketing. With regular reports and clear analytics, you will always know how your SEO campaigns are performing.

Rather than just providing quick fixes, Arramton Infotech focuses on delivering long-term results. Their strategies help build your online presence steadily and securely over time.

Their SEO packages cater to businesses of all sizes and ensure they meet their goals and budget. Plus, their dedicated support team is always available to help and keep your website optimised for success.

Hiring Arramton Infotech means partnering with the best SEO company in the UK that prioritises your business growth through strategic and effective SEO solutions.

The Bottom Line

Businesses benefit from investing in professional SEO services, as they help increase traffic, enhance user experience, and improve conversion rates.

The cost to hire an SEO company in the UK varies based on factors like the scope of work, industry competition, and the agency’s expertise. The average cost to hire an SEO company ranges from £500 to £20,000+ per month.

While monthly retainers can range from £500 to £5,000, customised strategies and high-end services can go beyond this. Carefully assess your needs, budget, and the value an experienced SEO company can bring before making a decision.

Businesses should be cautious when choosing an SEO agency, ensuring they work with trusted providers who use ethical and effective strategies.

Whether you are a startup, small business, or large enterprise, Arramton Infotech is here to help you rank higher, attract more customers, and grow your business online.

Get in touch today to discuss your SEO needs and get a customised strategy that fits your budget!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What is the average cost of hiring an SEO agency in the UK?

Ans The cost of hiring an SEO agency in the UK ranges from £500 to £5,000 per month, depending on the services included.

🔘Small businesses may find basic SEO packages starting at £500 to £1,500 per month.

🔘Mid-sized companies often invest between £2,000 and £5,000 per month for more comprehensive services.

🔘Enterprise-level SEO, which includes aggressive link-building, content marketing, and technical SEO, can exceed £10,000 per month.

The exact price depends on factors like competition, business goals, and the agency’s experience.

Q2 Are SEO services worth the money?

Ans Yes, investing in SEO services is highly beneficial for businesses aiming for long-term online growth. SEO helps build organic visibility over time. A well-optimised website attracts organic traffic, improves conversion rates, and enhances brand credibility. While SEO is a long-term strategy, the returns are significant, making it a cost-effective investment.

Q3 Why is hiring a professional SEO agency beneficial?

Ans Hiring a professional SEO agency is beneficial as it ensures faster results, a strategic approach, and long-term success. If your business relies on online visibility for leads and sales, working with experts will save you time and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Q4 How do I know if an SEO agency is reliable?

Ans A good SEO agency will have a proven track record, clear pricing, and ethical SEO practices. Before hiring, check:

🔘Client reviews and testimonials – Look for case studies and genuine feedback from past clients.

🔘SEO strategies used – Avoid agencies that promise "instant rankings" or use black-hat techniques like buying backlinks.

🔘Transparency – A trustworthy agency explains its process, provides regular reports, and keeps you informed about progress.

🔘Customised approach – They customise SEO strategies for your business rather than offering a one-size-fits-all package.

Q5 Is SEO a one-time investment or an ongoing expense?

Ans SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and competitors are always improving their strategies. To maintain and improve rankings, businesses need continuous optimisation, fresh content, and regular link-building.