Everybody has been telling you that your business needs to be more internet friendly. Yes you have a website, yes you want people to find it, and yes, people have been telling you that you need Search Engine Optimization or SEO.

But where do you begin? If you’re someone who knows nothing about SEO, what do you look for? How do you know this team is a match for you, and won’t cheat you out of your hard earned cash?

If you find yourself in this predicament, wondering where to start and how to go about assembling a competent SEO team, you’re not alone. 

In this article, we’ll get into the essential steps and considerations for hiring an SEO marketing team that can elevate your company’s online presence, deliver potential customers and of course, drive sales. From understanding your specific SEO requirements to identifying the right expertise and skills, we’ll guide you through the process of building a formidable SEO team that aligns with your company’s goals and objectives. With the insights and strategies we’ll share, you’ll be equipped to navigate the intricate process of hiring an SEO marketing team without feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start.

Of course, the first place to start is with your expectations.

Setting SEO and Marketing Expectations

The best SEO Companies should provide you with very clear expectations and timelines.

The idea that SEO can bring instant results is a misconception. In reality, it takes time and expertise to see real, sustained improvements in your website’s rankings and traffic.

However, this doesn’t mean that your hired company won’t work hard to achieve results for you as soon as possible. They’ll employ their skills and knowledge to help you get the best outcome, but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not a quick fix.

Depending on your competition, it usually takes around 3 months to see some visible results. However, once you start achieving results, it will be easier to rank further. This timeline will give you a better idea of the budget you need to prepare run a successful SEO campaign.

Our contracts from example, usually lasts for 1 year. This is to give us enough time to implement strategies and show you results.

To help your team deliver the best results for your business, you should be prepared to provide them with some essential information. For instance, be clear about your goals, what you want to achieve, and your audience. Additionally, giving your team access to your website will make it easier for them to make necessary changes.

In short, setting realistic expectations for SEO and marketing results, combined with clear communication and comprehensive information, will give your team the best foundations to work from and help get the best outcomes for your business.

What Makes a Good SEO Marketing Team

Great SEO Companies will also have the right team to properly execute a campaign. Sure, a one man team can do the smaller jobs, but hiring an agency with a full team will mean faster that will save you money in the end.

So, what do we mean when we say a Great SEO Team? What is it comprised of?

SEO Expert/SEO Analyst

This is the main man in your company’s SEO Campaign. This SEO expert is mainly responsible for creating a strategy and setting up a campaign that’s ideal for your business, budget, and competition. They will:

• Conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms and phrases for optimization
• Analyze website content and structure for SEO improvements
• Develop on-page optimization strategies, including meta tags, headers, and internal linking
• Develop and off-page SEO strategies, such as link building and social media promotion
• Tracks and analyzes SEO performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics to provide insights and recommendations.
• Stay updated on search engine algorithm changes and industry trends

SEO Manager

With the advice of the SEO Analyst, the SEO manager is the one who implements all strategies and recommendations. The SEO Manager will:

• Implement on-page optimization strategies, including meta tags, headers, and internal linking
• Monitor and track website performance using analytics tools
• Execute off-page SEO strategies, such as link building and social media promotion
• Stay updated on search engine algorithm changes and industry trends
• Work collaboratively with content creators and web developers to optimize website performance
• Provide regular reports and insights on SEO performance to stakeholders together with the SEO Analyst
• Continuously test and refine SEO strategies to enhance search engine rankings together with the SEO Analyst.

SEO Content Writer

As the term suggests, the SEO writer is responsible for writing content designed to boost your ranking. Their main responsibilities are:

• Research relevant keywords and topics to incorporate into content
• Write high-quality, engaging, and SEO-optimized articles, blog posts, and website copy
• Ensure content is well-structured, organized, and easy to read
• Incorporate meta tags, headers, and internal links to improve SEO performance
• Utilize proper formatting and formatting techniques for online readability and search engine visibility
• Collaborate with the SEO team to align content with overall SEO strategy and goals
• Monitor content performance using analytics tools and make necessary adjustments
• Stay updated on SEO best practices, trends, and algorithm changes
• Adapt writing style and tone to target different audiences and meet specific SEO objectives
• Continuously improve writing skills and knowledge of SEO to enhance content effectiveness.

Link Building Specialist

Some people take this position for granted but but Link specialists play a vital role in SEO Campaigns. They:

• Develop and execute link building strategies to acquire high-quality backlinks for the website
• Identify relevant websites, blogs, and online platforms for outreach and link placement opportunities
• Build relationships with website owners and influencers to secure backlinks
• Monitor and assess the quality and relevance of incoming and outgoing links
• Conduct competitor analysis to identify potential link building opportunities
• Utilize ethical link building practices to ensure compliance with search engine guidelines
• Track and analyze the impact of link building efforts on website rankings and organic traffic
• Collaborate with content writers and SEO team to create link-worthy content
• Stay updated on industry trends, algorithm changes, and best practices in link building
• Provide regular reports and insights on link building performance to stakeholders.

Web Developer

Clients rarely interact with the developer because they function in the back-end and usually engage with the SEO Analyst. However, their work can make or break the start of an SEO Campaign. They work on your website and:

• Implement technical SEO best practices, such as optimizing site structure, page speed, and mobile responsiveness
• Ensure proper implementation of on-page SEO elements, including meta tags, headers, and internal linking
• Fix crawl errors, broken links, and other technical issues that may impact SEO performance
• Collaborate with the SEO team to implement schema markup and structured data for better search engine visibility
• Conduct website audits to identify and address SEO-related issues and opportunities for improvement
• Stay informed about search engine algorithm changes and updates to make necessary adjustments to the website
• Optimize website content for search engines while maintaining a user-friendly experience
• Test and implement SEO-related tools and plugins to enhance website performance
• Work closely with the SEO team to align technical strategies with overall SEO goals and objectives.

Social Media Manager

If you’re also running a social media campaign with the SEO team, or if you have an existing social media manager, they also play a role to achieve your SEO Goals. They will:

• Develop and implement social media strategies that align with SEO goals and objectives
• Share SEO-optimized content across social media platforms to drive organic traffic to the website
• Engage with users, respond to comments and messages, and foster community interaction
• Collaborate with the SEO team to create cohesive marketing campaigns that leverage both social media and SEO strategies
• Utilize social listening tools to identify opportunities for content creation and engagement
• Build relationships with influencers, bloggers, and industry partners for potential link building and content promotion opportunities
• Leverage social media channels to amplify content reach and improve brand visibility in search results
• Stay updated on social media trends, algorithms changes, and best practices to inform SEO strategies
• Provide regular reports on social media performance metrics and insights to stakeholders to measure ROI in connection to the SEO Campaign.

There may be other team members involved depending on the size of the campaign but these are the vital roles. Some experts can take on more than 1 role, especially if they have vast experience in SEO.

What’s important is that there are people who can deliver the responsibilities above because those are important to get results for your website optimization.

Researching and Evaluating Good SEO Companies to Hire

To find the right SEO company for your business, conducting a thorough search and evaluation process is vital. Look for companies with a proven track record of success in executing effective SEO strategies. Reviewing their portfolios and case studies can give you insights into their approach and results. Checking their online presence and reputation through reviews, testimonials, and social media profiles can provide further validation of their expertise and credibility.

A Good SEO Portfolio

The best way to find out if an SEO company is really legit is to look at their portfolio. Have they achieved anything in the past? Is it more than one client? 

There are key components of Good SEO portfolio that you can look for:

• Tangible results and outcomes achieved through successful SEO campaigns
• Diversity in experience across different industry verticals, business sizes, and target markets
• Detailed case studies outlining methodologies, strategies, and tactics employed
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning through certifications, training programs, or industry contributions
• Client testimonials or endorsements validating expertise and value delivered
• Visual representations such as charts, graphs, and screenshots to illustrate performance metrics
• Highlighting technical SEO skills, on-page optimization, off-page strategies, and content marketing expertise
• Showcase of successful keyword research, competitor analysis, and link building efforts
• Regularly updated portfolio to reflect the latest projects and achievements.

If they can show you these, then they should get a check on your list.

Monthly SEO Reports

You’ve already seen the company portfolio, and you will want to see something similar if you take them on their SEO services.

Is a regular monthly SEO meeting part of their regular service? If not, then cross them out of your list. You’ll need someone who can update you with how your campaign is going every month. It doesn’t matter if there are no results yet. At the start of the campaign for example, they should be willing to give you an update of what they’ve done for:

On Site Search Engine Optimization

• Changes made in the back-end of your site (site speed, plug-ins, site structure)
• Pages/Blogs added
• Any analytics tools added
• Broken links fixed
• Any remaining problems

Off Site Search Engine Optimization

• Accounts Created
• Articles written
• Videos created
• Links built

They should also go back and forth with you regarding the keywords to be targeted to ensure that these are relevant to what your customers are searching.

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time for the most crucial part of this article. What is the average Search Engine Optimization Cost?

How much do most businesses spend on SEO?

According to the Search Engine Journal’s State of SEO Agency Report in 2024, Most businesses have allotted a budget of $500 to $10,000 for SEO. However, they have indicated plans of increasing that budget within the next 12 months.

SEO Marketing Cost

I know you’re tired of hearing this, but it depends. There are several factors that can affect how much an SEO company will charge. First, we’ll give you the factors, but don’t worry, we’ll also give you a price range at the end of this article.

Several factors can contribute to the cost of SEO marketing. Here are some key aspects that can affect Search Engine Optimization Prices:

Scope of the Project

The size and complexity of the project, including the number of webpages or keywords targeted, can impact the cost. Larger websites or campaigns with extensive keyword targeting may require more time and resources, resulting in higher costs.

Competitiveness of the Industry/Market

SEO in highly competitive industries or markets may require more effort to outrank competitors, leading to increased costs. The level of competition for target keywords and the difficulty of achieving desired rankings influence the cost of SEO.

SEO Strategy and Approach

The specific strategies and tactics employed by an SEO agency or professional can affect the cost. Customized strategies tailored to the unique needs of a business may involve more research, content creation, technical optimization, and ongoing monitoring, resulting in higher costs compared to generic or standardized approaches.

Keyword Research and Targeting

Conducting thorough keyword research, identifying relevant and high-performance keywords, and optimizing for them can impact the cost. Extensive keyword research and targeting may require more time and resources, especially if targeting a broad range of keywords.

Website Structure and Technical Optimization

The complexity of optimizing a website’s technical aspects, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, indexing, and URL structure, can influence the cost. Websites with technical issues that require extensive optimization or restructuring may require more effort and time investment, thereby increasing the cost.

Content Creation and Optimization

High-quality content creation, including blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics, can contribute to SEO success. Creating optimized and engaging content can be time-consuming, depending on the frequency and volume required, impacting the cost.

Link Building and Off-Page Optimization

Building a solid backlink profile through reputable and relevant websites is an important aspect of SEO. The cost of link building services, such as outreach, guest blogging, or acquiring backlinks, can vary based on the quantity and quality of links desired.

Geographical Targeting

SEO efforts targeting specific regions or locations may have additional costs to optimize for local searches. Local SEO strategies, including Google My Business optimization, local directory listings, and location-specific content creation, may require a separate budget allocation.

Timeline and Contract Duration

The length of an SEO project engagement can impact cost. Long-term contracts or ongoing monthly agreements may result in a lower monthly cost compared to shorter-term projects or one-time optimizations.

It is important to note that the cost of SEO marketing can vary widely based on these aspects, as well as the geographic location of the SEO service provider and the level of expertise or reputation they possess. It is advisable to have a clear understanding of the scope of work and deliverables when discussing and negotiating SEO marketing costs.

But we’re more than happy to give you an idea of how much it will cost with us.

So….

How Much Does SEO Cost?

On Page SEO costs $700 one time fee.

On-page optimization refers to the process of optimizing individual web pages to improve their search engine rankings and attract relevant organic traffic. This involves strategically optimizing various elements on a webpage, such as content, HTML source code, meta tags, images, and internal linking, to make them more search engine-friendly and user-friendly. The primary goal of on-page optimization is to ensure that each webpage is relevant to specific keywords and topics, providing valuable and authoritative content that aligns with search intent, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and visibility of the website within search engine results.

Small Scale SEO Campaigns range from $350-$900

These campaigns often entail the creation of highly focused advertisements that are run for a specific period within a particular geographic area. This typically involves utilizing pay-per-click ads or localized social media campaigns to target audiences based on their location. Small-scale SEO is tailored for smaller businesses serving a limited area and seeking to attract customers within a defined proximity. This approach is cost-effective and enables reaching a highly relevant audience. Most small-scale SEO services also encompass activities such as content creation and marketing, remarketing, and local service ads. The crucial aspect involves optimizing content to align with local search intent and devising effective strategies to engage audiences that meet specific criteria. While more comprehensive than automated SEO, small-scale local SEO efforts cover essential aspects without delving into intricate details. While it serves as a solid starting point, it does not guarantee rapid growth.

Comprehensive Local SEO Campaigns range from $1000-$3000

Numerous clients seek an extensive SEO package encompassing a wide array of services, such as on-site and off-site SEO (a minimum of 4 hours monthly), blog post optimization, local service ad oversight, monthly reporting and meetings, social media content creation and posting multiple times per week, SEO and website audits, technical SEO assessment, thorough competitor analysis, content audit and strategy development, paid search management, content creation and marketing, comprehensive reporting, Google Business Profile administration, brand management, link building, citation optimization, and online review management.

If you seek a package that includes all these services, you can expect to pay at least $1,500 per month. Most agencies typically charge between $3,000 to $5,000 for these services on a weekly basis, particularly if virtual meetings and reviews are part of the package.

Such services are transparent, providing detailed breakdowns of where your marketing budget is allocated. Comprehensive SEO places a strong emphasis on analytical reporting to monitor metrics such as online traffic growth, conversion rates, and visibility.

The reporting services offered with these comprehensive local SEO packages should concentrate on call tracking and conversions to enable you to effectively gauge your return on investment.

Additionally, key performance metrics included in comprehensive SEO tracking encompass rankings, backlinks, analytics, paid search, competition analysis, website health, Google Business Profile management, reviews, citations, and social media engagement.

It’s no surprise that local SEO packages with more comprehensive services come at a higher cost. Nevertheless, these intensive and detail-oriented marketing campaigns offer significantly greater value and potentially higher returns.

World Wide SEO Campaigns range from $3500-$7000

World Wide SEO campaigns are extensive efforts to optimize a website’s online presence on a global scale, targeting a broad audience across different countries and regions. These campaigns typically involve optimizing for a wide range of keywords, languages, and cultural considerations to reach a diverse global audience. By implementing international SEO strategies like hreflang tags, geotargeting, and multilingual content, world-wide SEO campaigns aim to improve a website’s visibility and rankings in various international search engines, enabling businesses to expand their reach and attract a global customer base.

If you’re seeking for this type of coverage, it can easily cost up to $7000.

How much should you spend on SEO?

We recommend spending $1000-$3000 on SEO. However, as we stated above, SEO isn’t a one size fits all kind of service. There’s must so many factors in place, but at least you have an idea of how much you should be allotting as your SEO budget.

Get started with Us

If you want to ask about the SEO services we can provide you, contact us for a free SEO Audit. Once that’s ready, we can go on a call and discuss the potential package that will suit your business.