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A member at Cre8asite Forums asks how much the typical industry standard fees are for Search Engine Optimization services. Is there a set number to quantify services?
As one person says, not really. You should look at ROI, but there are other things as well.
If you do want to quantify SEO, track net profit (ROI). That's the best metric ever. Secondary metrics could be conversions, such as downloads, sign ups, sales, etc.
But as Ammon Johns says, you need to look at other things, such as "What is the end value to the buyer?" He explains that it is about the law of supply and demand.
Price for services isn't spelled out like with manufactured goods, based on materials, costs, and a reasonable profit margin. Instead it is all about supply and demand. An SEO with no demand for his specific services can charge whatever he likes and still have no demand. Meanwhile another SEO in heavy demand will be forced to increase prices just to reduce demand, or at least to compensate for the fact that each job he takes is three others he turned down.
So, what do you think? Add your value to the conversation at Cre8asite Forums.
Comments:
No Name
02/13/2008 06:00 pm
A great deal of it seems to have to do with reputation. Aaron Wall is able to charge $1,000 for a one hour phone consultation. Most people can't "get away" with doing that.
Pete Lacis
02/13/2008 07:07 pm
Rates should depend on the type of work to be performed. Implementing certain SEO promotional techniques without first establishing a quality optimized site will not yield ideal results. Pricing should be set so that there is a base set on amount of "initial work" required based on number of pages/size of site. Ongoing work once that base is established can and should be tied into ROI for the client based on increased site traffic and, in turn, increase revenue derived from the site (leads, sales, etc).
Patti Fousek
02/14/2008 08:07 pm
Asking rates for SEO services is always a sticky subject. I conducted a break even analysis in order to come up with a base hourly rate. The pricing for my services are based on the size of the website and the number of hours it takes to perform each project. This pricing model seems to work well for my company.
Shawn Walsh
02/15/2008 09:49 pm
I had a SEO contract 4 years ago that I charged a very modest one time fee for. This company has averaged about 1500 visitors a day. I feel like there should have been royalty set up. That small one time investment set his business on a new playing field all together. In the first year his business grew 300%. So what would that be worth to you? It’s a very sticky topic. I find that I actually have used the hourly model based on number of hours to complete project and I find my time is paid for but it’s the feeling like your getting screwed without royalty that is hard to accept. 1500 relevant visitors over 4 years is 2,190,000 visitors from highly relevant converting key phrases. I cant wait to read more about this topic.