With numerous pricing models, varying service expectations, and fluctuating market rates, determining the correct charge can be overwhelming, especially when clients expect results without fully understanding the work involved.
Most SEO professionals charge between £300 and £ 1,500 per month, depending on the scope of services, industry competitiveness, location, and the provider’s experience. Some demand a one-time setup fee while others prefer a monthly retainer with set deliverables.
To price effectively, your rate should reflect not only the time you spend but also the value you deliver in terms of leads, phone calls, and local visibility.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know from what Local SEO includes to standard pricing models, market benchmarks, and tips to build profitable packages that make sense.
How Much to Charge for Local SEO: 7 Key Cost Factors Explained
When local businesses want more visibility on Google Maps or “near me” searches, Local SEO is the answer. But how much should you charge for it?
Pricing your Local SEO services the right way is key, not just for profits, but to meet client expectations and deliver value. Whether you're a freelancer, agency, or consultant, this guide walks you through everything you need to know: from what’s included in Local SEO to pricing models, market rates, and what clients expect at every level.
What Does Local SEO Include?
Before you talk numbers, it's important to understand the full scope of Local SEO. This helps you price your services fairly while showing clients what they’re paying for.
Local SEO typically includes:
- Google Business Profile setup and optimisation
- Local keyword research tailored to the area and industry
- On-page SEO focused on local elements like NAP (name, address, phone), local pages, and schema markup
- Local citation building and cleanup on directories and listing sites
- Link building from trusted local sources
- Review generation strategies to encourage more 5-star feedback
- Monthly reports that track search rankings, traffic, and leads
This full-service approach is often what clients expect when they invest in a monthly Local SEO package.
Local SEO Pricing Models
There are a few common ways to structure your pricing. Choose based on the scope of work, client type, and how involved you’ll be.
Popular pricing models include:
- Monthly Retainer: Ideal for ongoing work and long-term results
- One-Time Setup Fee: Best for businesses that only need an initial boost
- Hourly Rate: Useful for audits or consulting sessions
- Per Location Pricing: Great for businesses with multiple branches
- Package-Based Pricing: Tiered pricing (Basic, Standard, Premium) based on service depth
Platforms like RankEgg use a monthly model with transparent packages starting around $149/month, with higher tiers including more in-depth services.
Factors That Influence Your Pricing
Not all Local SEO projects are equal. These variables can affect how much you charge:
- Industry competition: Ranking a salon is usually easier (and cheaper) than ranking a law firm
- Location type: A small town needs less work than a competitive city like London or Manchester
- Number of business locations: Multi-location SEO requires more content, citations, and tracking
- Scope of service: Are you offering setup only, or full monthly management?
- Current online status: Starting from scratch takes more effort than optimising an existing presence
- Your own experience: More experienced SEOs can command premium prices and deliver stronger results
Typical Price Ranges for Local SEO in 2025
Here’s what most professionals and agencies are charging today:
One-Time Setup Packages:
- Basic setup: £250–£800
- Full setup with citations and optimisation: £800–£1,500+
Monthly Local SEO Services:
- Freelancers: £250–£600/month
- Small agencies: £500–£1,200/month
- Experienced or niche experts: £1,500–£4,000+/month
Hourly Rates: Range from £50 to £125 per hour depending on experience
Per Additional Location: Add £150–£400/month for each extra branch
RankEgg’s own packages start at $499/month (approx. £390), moving up to $999/month for more advanced services like content and backlinking.
What’s Included in Each Price Tier?
To set clear expectations, define what’s included at each level. This also makes it easier to upsell.
Basic (£300–£500/month):
- Google Business Profile setup
- Limited citation building
- Basic monthly reports
Standard (£750–£1,200/month):
- Local keyword targeting
- Citation cleanup
- Review generation strategy
- On-page SEO for key pages
- Rank tracking and lead reporting
Premium (£1,500+/month):
- All services from Standard, plus:
- Local content creation
- Authority link building
- Heatmap or call tracking
- Multi-location support
This mirrors the structure used by providers like RankEgg, which clearly defines services across each plan to avoid confusion.
How to Justify Your Pricing
Many clients aren’t familiar with SEO, so breaking down your pricing with clear value is essential.
Ways to show your value include:
- Share ROI examples: “Clients typically see a 30–50% increase in phone calls within 3 months”
- Use case studies: Before-and-after results with screenshots
- Break down the workload: Show time estimates and deliverables
- Include monthly reports: Prove what’s working (and where to improve)
When clients understand the work behind the scenes, they’re more likely to agree to your rates and stay on board long-term.
Red Flags: Are You Charging Too Much or Too Little?
Finding the right pricing balance is crucial. Here’s what to watch out for:
You might be undercharging if:
- You’re working more than 10–15 hours/month on a low-tier plan
- Clients keep asking for extras “included” in the base price
- You’re doing high-level SEO for entry-level fees
You might be overcharging if:
- You offer no clear reporting or results
- Clients leave after 1-2 months due to unclear value
- You’re not matching pricing to effort or competition level
Set boundaries early, and always define your scope in writing, especially with custom plans.
Final Tips for Setting Local SEO Pricing
To build profitable, long-term client relationships:
- Review your pricing yearly update based on demand, experience, and success
- Offer performance add-ons such as review boosts or blog content.
- Don’t copy others blindly, charge based on your deliverables, not the market average.
- Be flexible, but make sure every plan still protects your time and expertise
Following examples like RankEgg’s clear, transparent pricing page can help you design packages that sell and scale.
Conclusion
Local SEO pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on the client’s needs, your experience, and how much value you bring to the table.
Whether you're charging a one-time fee, a monthly retainer, or building tiered packages, the key is clarity. Be transparent about what’s included, explain the ROI, and update your offerings as your skills grow.
Strong pricing builds trust, protects your time, and sets the foundation for lasting client success.
FAQs
Most freelancers and small agencies charge between £400–£1,200/month depending on the service level and competition.
Yes. Setup work like citation creation, GBP optimisation, and audits can take 10–20 hours, which should be billed upfront.
Typically, £150–£400/month extra per location. Each one requires unique listings, pages, and tracking.
Hourly is fine for audits or consulting, but monthly retainers offer predictable income and long-term impact for clients.
Use tiered packages (Basic, Standard, Premium), clearly outline deliverables, and adjust rates based on your skill level and niche.
