That is like asking how much it costs to buy a car - it depends. Do you want a Kia, Honda, Lexus, Jaguar or Rolls Royce?   They are all cars and can all get you from A to B but the experience will be different.  When hiring an agency what role do you want them to play? Strategic only or execution too?  Have you conducted market research or are we starting from scratch?  Quantitative and qualitative?  Has your web site been optimized?  There is no one size fits all when it comes to digital marketing agency prices - it really just depends on your goals and what level of confidence you need to make decisions and move forward.  Some may work on a project basis others will require a monthly retainer so find an agency that fits your needs.   

You don't always have to hire a digital marketing agency to achieve the results you needs. You can hire various people who special in each areas for a fraction of the cost. I always think it's a great strategy to create a team to support your business, so if one isn't available, all wheels won't fall off!  There are Facebook Ad, SEO, Social media and online marketing experts. And you can hire them per project. 

The cost to hire a digital marketing agency depends on the types of services you're after.

Generally, my marketing agency starts at $600/month for Google Ads management and then from $1500/month for really strong SEO.

As my clients have different needs, I chat with them about their needs and then put together a proposal for them. There is no one size fits all for digital marketing expert costs! All my terms and conditions are listed in the proposal document including how many revisions are included (mostly two for copywriting services) and payment terms (50% upfront). 

I offer per project or monthly retainers based on the work. 

I'm going to answer you directly on the SEO aspect, because it's an area in which sharks swim free.
There are two core types:

1) On -site SEO
2) Off-Site SEO

Type 1, On-Site SEO is essentially making sure that your site is set up for the geographical regions in which you want to sell, the product types or services you want to sell and the relevant keywords that trigger the dearch engine results. You can do this yourself if your site is based on a CMS such as WodrPress but if you don't know what's needed, best to get an agency or friend to help. At our agency we don't typically work on sites we didn't build ourselves without vetting them first. After that, the fee  for a first-round SEO-fix starts at around $500 for a small site only requiring a few hours of research and effort. Now for the interesting bit:

Off-Site SEO
This is where the rubber hots the road!
There are three core types of Off-Site SEO: 

a) Local SEO
b) National
c) International

Local SEO

The key elements of local SEO include:

1. Google My Business (GMB) Optimization: Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing to appear in Google Maps and local search results.
2. Local Keywords: Use location-specific keywords in your website content and metadata.
3. NAP Consistency: Ensure your business Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms.
4. Local Backlinks: Build backlinks from local businesses, directories, and websites.
5. Reviews and Ratings: Encourage and respond to online reviews on Google My Business and other review platforms.
6. Local Content: Create content relevant to your local audience.
7. On-Page SEO: Optimize on-page elements like titles, headings, and meta descriptions with local keywords.
8. Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many local searches are performed on mobile devices.
9. Local Citations: Get listed in local business directories and citation sites.
10. Schema Markup: Use schema markup to help search engines understand your site's local business information.

Focusing on these elements can improve your visibility in local search results, attracting more customers from your area.

Fees for Local SEO

• Small to Medium Businesses: Around AUD $500 to $2,500 per month for basic to intermediate local SEO services.
• More Comprehensive Services: For larger businesses or more competitive locations, prices can range from AUD $2,500 to $5,000 or more per month.

These costs might include services like keyword research, local citations, content creation, optimization of Google My Business listings, backlink building, and reporting. It's important to note that prices can vary greatly between agencies and freelancers, and higher prices don't always guarantee better results. It's crucial to choose a provider that understands your business needs and has a proven track record in local SEO.

National SEO
 

National SEO focuses on optimizing your website to rank for broad keyword terms on a national level, as opposed to local SEO, which targets geographic-specific terms. Here are the key elements of national SEO:

1. Keyword Research: Identifying and targeting broad and competitive keywords that are relevant to your business but not necessarily tied to a specific location.
2. On-Page SEO: Optimizing website content, meta tags, headers, and images to include target keywords and improve user experience.
3. Technical SEO: Ensuring your website is technically sound, with fast loading times, mobile optimization, secure connections (HTTPS), and a well-structured XML sitemap.
4. Content Marketing: Creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content that appeals to a national audience. This includes blog posts, infographics, videos, and other forms of content that can attract and retain visitors.
5. Link Building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites across the country to build domain authority.
6. Social Media Presence: Establishing and maintaining a strong presence on social media platforms to engage with a national audience.
7. User Experience (UX): Optimizing the website’s design and navigation to ensure a positive user experience, which can indirectly affect SEO rankings.
8. Analytics and Reporting: Using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track performance, understand user behavior, and adjust strategies accordingly.
9. Competitor Analysis: Monitoring competitors’ SEO strategies and performance to identify opportunities and threats in the national market.
10. Voice Search Optimization: Optimizing for voice search queries, which are becoming increasingly popular and require slightly different SEO tactics.

National SEO is more competitive and complex than local SEO due to the broader target audience and the higher level of competition for keywords. It requires a comprehensive strategy and ongoing effort to achieve and maintain high rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs).

National SEO Costs
 

The cost of national SEO services can vary significantly based on the size of the business, the competitiveness of the industry, the scope of services required, and the goals of the SEO campaign. Here's a general breakdown:

1. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per month. This range typically covers businesses with a national focus in less competitive industries or niche markets.

2. Larger Businesses and Competitive Industries: For more significant enterprises or highly competitive industries, monthly costs can start from $5,000 and can go up to $20,000 or more. These campaigns often require comprehensive strategies, including extensive content creation, advanced technical SEO, and aggressive link-building efforts.

3. Project-Based or One-Time SEO Services: For businesses looking for specific services rather than ongoing SEO management, project-based fees can range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the project's complexity.

4. Hourly Rates: Some SEO consultants or agencies may charge hourly rates, typically ranging from $100 to $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and reputation.

It's important to remember that with SEO, especially at the national level, you often get what you pay for. Investing in a quality SEO service provider that uses ethical, sustainable practices can offer a higher long-term return on investment compared to cheaper, less reputable options. Always ensure to clarify the services included in the quoted price and the expected outcomes.

We see many people advertising for National SEO services for $500 per month - and plenty of agencies picking up those leads, dountless promising to deliver great results.Six months later those customers wonder what they spent upwards of $3k on. BE CAREFUL.

Hope that that helps.