Confused about what to expect in terms of cost for an SEO audit? It’s a widespread inquiry among businesses today, and that’s why I’ve created this guide as a go-to reference for companies exploring the pricing of SEO audits.
Uncover the cost spectrum for an SEO audit (which is between $650 and $14,000 per audit), the elements included, and additional relevant information with this helpful guide!
Unravel the mysteries of SEO audit pricing with this comprehensive guide.
As a small-to-midsize business (SMB) or established enterprise, you can expect to incur a cost between $650 and $14,000 for a professional SEO audit.
It’s important to note that the size of your website can play a significant role in determining your SEO audit costs, with larger websites often commanding higher fees than their smaller counterparts.
To help you understand the full picture, this guide delves into the various factors that influence the price of an SEO audit. Get an in-depth look at what’s included in an SEO audit and what shapes the cost in 2023, so you can make an informed decision about what your company should pay for this essential service.
What is an SEO audit?
Just like your car needs regular maintenance, your website requires ongoing optimization to stay in top shape. An SEO audit is a comprehensive assessment of your website’s search engine optimization, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
Armed with this valuable information, you’ll receive a list of tailored recommendations to improve your website’s performance. Partner with an experienced SEO agency like Organic Search Consultant, and let us handle the implementation of these recommendations. Or, if you prefer to DIY, use an SEO audit tool and work with your in-house team to make the necessary updates to your website.
Should I get an SEO audit?
An SEO audit can be a valuable investment for your business, helping to ensure that your website is in compliance with the latest SEO best practices. Whether you are just starting to explore the benefits of SEO or are looking to evaluate a potential partner, an SEO audit can provide valuable insights and information.
Here are a few reasons why an SEO audit may be the right choice for your business:
- If you’re new to SEO: An audit can be a great learning experience, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of your website’s strengths and weaknesses and how to improve them.
- Looking for an SEO company: An audit can help you make an informed decision when evaluating potential partners. With so many options available, it’s important to choose a company that aligns with your goals and values.
- Uncertain about the value of SEO: If you’re not sure whether SEO is the right strategy for your business, an audit can help you make an informed decision. By taking a deep dive into your website’s performance, an audit can help you understand the potential benefits and challenges of SEO.
Are there different types of website SEO Audits?
To determine the cost of an SEO audit, it is important to understand the various types of SEO audits available. Here are four common types:
- Free SEO Audit – While free SEO audits may seem like a good option, they often provide limited value. These audits are generated by SEO tools and provide a minimal view of your website’s SEO issues and opportunities. However, they do not provide a complete picture of the specific SEO ranking factors to focus on.
- Software-only SEO Audit – By simply entering your website URL into an SEO analysis tool, you can get a software-generated SEO score and report. While these reports may be high-level, they generally provide little value and only reflect the cost of the SEO tool used for the audit.
- Technical SEO Audit – This type of audit focuses on technical issues related to your website’s design, architecture, site speed, and crawling and indexing. While a technical SEO audit is an important part of the overall process, it is not the only factor to consider. Your website’s backlinks and content should also be evaluated to maximize its exposure.
- Comprehensive SEO Audit – A comprehensive SEO audit covers all aspects of your website, including content audit, technical audit, backlinks audit, and other ranking factors such as online competition and target SEO terms and topics. This type of audit provides a solid foundation for an effective SEO strategy and offers the most up-to-date data and insights to help improve your rankings in the search results.
Why Free SEO Audit Isn’t a Good Idea?
Professional SEO audits are a better option than free ones.
Running an online business involves a lot of expenses, and the temptation to take advantage of a free SEO audit might be tempting. But what seems like a cost-saving option may end up costing you more in the long run.
Free SEO audits offered by some websites and tools use automated scripts to analyze only basic website performance metrics and overlook critical SEO elements like target keywords. Additionally, free audits have limited access to important web services such as Google Search Console, resulting in incomplete data and missing key information such as indexing status, crawl errors, and search queries.
Moreover, free SEO reports lack personalized recommendations and insights from SEO experts, making them insufficient for taking meaningful action to improve your website’s SEO. These reports also lack task prioritization, leaving you to guess which issues to address first.
The problem with relying on free SEO audits is that they may not have access to all the necessary data for a comprehensive audit, leading to incorrect conclusions and misguided efforts to fix your website. Instead of improving your website’s SEO, you might end up wasting time and resources on fixing elements that don’t need attention, or even worse, causing harm to your website’s visibility and ranking.
In conclusion, while free SEO audits may seem like a cost-saving option, they can end up costing you more time and money in the long run. Investing in a professional SEO audit will give you a more accurate picture of your website’s strengths and weaknesses and provide valuable recommendations for improving your online presence.
What is the difference between an SEO audit and an SEO audit tool?
Both an SEO audit and an SEO audit tool have the same aim – to evaluate your business’s SEO strategy. However, they have different methods of operation. For most businesses, an SEO audit tool is an efficient means of determining the overall SEO health of a single page on their website.
So what sets apart an SEO audit tool from a professional SEO audit?
An SEO audit tool provides an automated evaluation of a specific page on your website. All you need to do is input the URL, and the tool generates a report that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the page, along with recommendations to improve its SEO.
On the other hand, a professional SEO audit involves a comprehensive, tailored examination of your entire website carried out by a team of seasoned digital marketers. This is why many businesses utilize SEO audit tools before opting for a full SEO audit.
What’s included in an SEO audit?
An SEO audit is an in-depth examination of your website to determine its strengths and weaknesses in terms of search engine optimization. If you’re considering an SEO audit, you may be wondering what it covers. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common elements of an SEO audit:
- Technical Audit:
This aspect of an SEO audit evaluates the technical side of your website’s SEO, including identifying duplicated content and broken links that can lead to 404 pages. A technical audit is a staple of SEO audits.
- Competitive Audit:
This part of an SEO audit compares your website to those of your competitors. Your SEO report will provide you with a comparison chart or scorecard that highlights your site’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you identify ways to improve your website and stay ahead of the competition. Some SEO agencies may offer additional competitor analysis tools.
- Content Audit:
This component of an SEO audit reviews the content on your website, including service pages, blog posts, and more. The audit examines the optimization of images and title tags, as well as the keywords targeted on each page.
- Back Link Audit:
A link audit evaluates your website’s link profile, including the quantity and quality of links pointing to your site. For example, a food company that published a blog post on fall-themed recipes may have received links from websites related to baking, parenting, or healthy eating.
Note that the components of an SEO audit can vary between agencies and even SEO audit tools. However, most audits include a technical analysis of your website, which serves as the foundation for assessing your site and developing your next steps.
Which Comprehensive SEO Audit is Right for Your Business?
For maximum results, invest in a complete, 360-degree SEO audit that covers:
- Technical Analysis
- Competitive Analysis
- Content Analysis
- Link Analysis
A thorough examination of all aspects of your website can have a significant impact on its performance. A comprehensive audit can result in a faster and better-optimized website, helping you rank for competitive keywords in your industry.
Being on the first page of search results can drive valuable traffic to your website, as 75% of users stay on the first page. This traffic is more likely to convert into leads or purchases, providing a boost to your business’s revenue.
Additional revenue can help your company grow by hiring new employees, opening a new location, or launching a new product or service. Invest in a comprehensive SEO audit today to see the positive results for your business.
How long does an SEO audit take?
The duration of an SEO audit can vary, but typically it takes anywhere from 15 to 45 days to complete a thorough analysis. However, some agencies may offer expedited services for an additional fee, which can bring down the timeline to as little as a week.
The length of the audit also depends on the size of the website, with smaller websites of 10-15 pages being able to be completed in a shorter amount of time, and larger websites with over 100 pages taking longer.
For a precise estimation, it’s best to consult with a professional SEO agency.
Does the SEO Audit cost include implementation?
The cost of an SEO audit typically does not include implementation.
An SEO audit report is a comprehensive evaluation of your website’s current state and provides recommendations for optimization. It is meant to be used as a guide for you or your web developer to implement the recommended changes, but the actual implementation of those changes is not included in the cost of the audit.
What determines SEO audit pricing?
The cost of an SEO audit can vary widely, from $650 to $14,000, so it’s important to understand what factors determine the pricing in 2023. Five key elements influence the cost of an SEO audit, including website size, agency experience, audited elements, turnaround time, audit implementation, and more.
- Website size is the most significant factor in determining the cost of an SEO audit, as a website with more pages requires more time to assess. A comprehensive audit is crucial for gaining a full understanding of your website’s SEO strengths and weaknesses. Agencies may charge for additional pages on a per-page basis.
- The experience of your agency also affects SEO audit pricing, with more experienced agencies often charging a higher rate. However, their expertise provides better service and results, so investing in an experienced agency can have a positive impact on your bottom line.
- The audited elements can vary between agencies and will also impact the cost of an SEO audit. A comprehensive technical audit may cost more than a basic technical audit, so be sure to review what services are included before choosing an agency.
- Turnaround time can also affect the cost of an SEO audit, with expedited services costing more. If you need a fast turnaround, consider partnering with a large agency with the resources to meet your deadline.
- Audit implementation is another factor that can impact the cost of an SEO audit, with the severity and time-intensiveness of errors affecting implementation costs. Be sure to discuss implementation rates with your agency before partnering for an SEO audit.
By understanding these five factors, you can better determine the cost of an SEO audit for your website. Investing in a comprehensive audit and partnering with an experienced agency can lead to improved SEO performance and a positive impact on your bottom line.
In summary, then, factors affecting SEO audit pricing are:
- The number of web pages to be audited (size of the website)
- The experience & reputation of the SEO service provider
- What type of SEO audit do you want
- How fast do you want the audit to conduct
- Do you want the agency to implement the recommendation or not
How often should you get an SEO audit?
For optimal SEO performance and results, it’s recommended to conduct SEO audits either annually or bi-annually.
For larger websites such as eCommerce sites, a quarterly basis is recommended by experts.
Even if you’re working with an agency for your SEO efforts, a routine SEO audit can bring significant value to your business. It provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and drive meaningful changes to your online presence.
Starting with an SEO audit is also a crucial step for launching a new digital marketing or SEO strategy. Investing in an SEO audit at the outset can ensure that your company and agency launch the most effective campaign possible.
Is an SEO Audit Included in SEO Services?
Investing in an SEO audit is crucial for businesses looking to enhance their search engine optimization. Whether you manage your SEO internally or with the help of an agency, it’s important to inquire about the inclusion of an audit in their services.
Typically, SEO services begin with an audit. For instance, at Organic Search Consultant, we kickstart our client relationship by conducting an in-depth audit of your website to formulate a personalized, data-driven strategy. And, we offer it as part of your SEO package at no extra charge.
If your chosen agency does not include an audit or adds it as a hidden cost, it’s best to look for another option. Such practices often foreshadow future difficulties in working with them.
What is the Cost of SEO Services?
SEO services can range from $500 to $5000 per month, whereas an audit can cost anywhere from $650 to $14,000. Although an audit can be pricey, investing in SEO services ensures continuous improvement of your website’s ranking for high-value keywords, thereby increasing your revenue in the long run. Hence, investing in SEO services is a wise decision.
Is Investing in an SEO Audit Worth the Cost?
If you’re considering paying for an SEO audit, you may be wondering if it’s worth the investment. While SEO audits can cost up to $14,000, they offer immense value to businesses that want to improve their online presence.
With regular SEO audits and updates to your website, you can reap the following benefits:
- Enhance User Experience (UX)
SEO audits provide an opportunity to enhance the UX of your website. For instance, if your website has many broken links, leading to 404 errors, it can negatively affect your business. In fact, 90% of consumers tend to switch to a competitor after a negative UX. Your SEO audit report can help you identify ways to improve your website’s UX, making it easier for visitors to engage with your business and convert.
- Maximize Website Traffic
Website traffic is crucial to your business’s success, and the first search result typically claims over 30% of all traffic. With regular SEO audits, you can maintain or improve your website’s ranking in search results, driving more valuable traffic to your site.
- Boost Revenue
Keywords play a critical role in SEO, and SEO audits analyze your keyword strategy. They evaluate the keywords your website ranks for, as well as the traffic from those keywords. Your SEO audit report can help you identify the most valuable keywords and optimize your strategy to drive more traffic and increase conversions, leading to higher revenue.
- Improve Online Visibility
An SEO audit can help you improve your website’s visibility in search results. By identifying your most valuable keywords, you can refocus your SEO strategy to rank higher for those keywords. This will increase your online visibility and drive more valuable traffic to your website.
- Optimize Digital Marketing Strategies
SEO is the foundation of a successful digital marketing strategy, and an SEO audit can help you identify areas for improvement. For instance, the audit can review your webpage title tags, which are relevant to content marketing. By improving your digital marketing strategy, you can maximize your investment and achieve better results.
- Repair Your SEO Strategy
Over time, SEO strategies may become outdated or require repairs. An SEO audit can provide an in-depth assessment of your SEO status and offer recommendations to restore and improve your strategy. This will help you drive measurable results from your SEO efforts.
- Improve Website Speed
Website speed is crucial to SEO and UX, and a slow website can negatively impact your ranking in search results. An SEO audit can identify any issues with website speed and provide recommendations to improve it.
In conclusion, an SEO audit is a worthwhile investment for businesses that want to enhance their online presence, drive traffic, and increase revenue. With regular audits, you can maintain or improve your website’s ranking in search results, optimize your digital marketing strategy, and provide a better experience for your visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does an SEO audit take?
The duration of an SEO audit can vary depending on the size and complexity of the website being audited, as well as the methodology and tools used by the auditor.
On average, an SEO audit can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to complete.
However, for larger websites with many pages and complex technical SEO issues, an audit may take several weeks to complete.
Is an SEO audit worth it?
Yes, an SEO audit is worth it as it helps to identify technical issues, website performance issues, content gaps, and other factors that might be negatively impacting your website’s search engine rankings.
An SEO audit provides a comprehensive analysis of your website and can provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement to increase your website’s visibility and search engine rankings.
Additionally, it helps to identify opportunities for improvement and prioritize SEO tasks for better results in the long run.
What are some of the best SEO audit tools?
Some of the most popular and highly regarded SEO audit tools include:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Moz Pro
- Majestic
- Google Search Console
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- GTmetrix
- DeepCrawl
It’s important to note that no single tool is perfect, and the best tool for a particular audit will depend on the specific needs and goals of the website being audited.
How Much Does an SEO Audit Cost?
The cost of an SEO audit can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of the website, the size of the company conducting the audit, and the geographic location. On average, the cost of a comprehensive SEO audit can range from $650 to $14,000.
Some smaller companies or freelancers may offer lower prices, while larger digital marketing agencies may charge much more.
Is a free SEO audit worth it?
A free SEO audit may not be worth it as it may only analyze basic website performance metrics and often lacks access to essential web services like Google Search Console.
The data and insights obtained from a free audit may be limited and potentially misleading. In addition, free audits don’t provide recommendations or task prioritization, making it difficult to make effective improvements to your website’s SEO.
Ultimately, using a professional SEO audit service may provide a more comprehensive analysis and actionable insights, helping to improve your website’s search engine optimization and drive more traffic, leads, and sales.
Is an SEO audit a one-time cost or an ongoing expense?
An SEO audit is typically a one-time cost, but it can also be an ongoing expense. This depends on the goals and needs of the website and the frequency at which the website’s content and structure change.
If a website requires continuous optimization and changes, ongoing SEO audits may be necessary to ensure the website continues to meet the latest search engine algorithms and ranking factors. On the other hand, if a website is well optimized and only requires occasional updates, a one-time SEO audit may be sufficient.
How can I ensure I get the best value for my SEO audit investment?
To ensure you get the best value for your SEO audit investment, consider the following tips:
- Choose a reputable provider: Do your research and choose an experienced and reputable SEO agency or consultant.
- Define your goals: Clearly define your goals and objectives for the audit to ensure the provider is focused on delivering what you need.
- Ask for a detailed plan: Ask for a detailed plan outlining the process, methodology, and expected outcome of the audit.
- Get a customized audit: Make sure the audit is customized to your specific needs and not a generic template.
- Focus on actionable recommendations: Look for an audit that provides actionable recommendations that can be implemented easily.
- Consider ongoing support: Consider the cost of ongoing support and services to ensure that the results of the audit are maintained over time.
- Compare quotes: Get quotes from multiple providers and compare the scope of work and pricing to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
Can I do an SEO audit myself or do I need to hire an SEO expert?
You can perform an SEO audit yourself, but it may be beneficial to hire a technical SEO expert.
While it is possible to do an SEO audit using online tools and resources, an expert will have a deeper understanding of the latest search engine algorithms and ranking factors, as well as the experience to identify and prioritize the most important issues.
An SEO expert can also provide a comprehensive and customized audit, as well as offer ongoing support to help implement the recommendations and maintain the results.
However, if you have a good understanding of SEO and are familiar with the technical aspects of websites, you may be able to perform a basic audit yourself. There are many free and paid tools available that can help you with this process.
Just keep in mind that a self-conducted audit may not be as comprehensive as one done by an expert, and you may miss important issues that could be affecting your search engine rankings.
What is included in an SEO audit?
An SEO audit typically includes an examination of several key areas of a website, including:
Technical SEO: This involves checking the website’s architecture, coding, and other technical elements to ensure that it is easily crawlable and accessible to search engines.
Content optimization: This involves reviewing the content of the website to ensure that it is relevant, high-quality, and optimized for relevant keywords.
Link analysis: This involves reviewing the website’s internal and external link structure to identify any broken links or other issues that may be affecting the website’s rankings.
Mobile optimization: This involves checking the website’s responsiveness and mobile friendliness to ensure that it provides a good user experience on all devices.
Local SEO: This involves optimizing the website for local search results by ensuring that the website is listed in local directories and that it contains accurate business information and location data.
User experience: This involves examining the website’s design, navigation, and other elements to ensure that it provides a good user experience and that visitors are able to find what they are looking for easily.
Analytics and tracking: This involves reviewing the website’s analytics data to identify any trends or issues, and setting up tracking to monitor the website’s performance over time.
The specific areas of focus in an SEO audit will vary depending on the goals and needs of the website, as well as the expertise of the auditor. However, these are some of the most common elements that are typically included in an SEO audit.
What is the benefit of investing in an SEO audit?
Investing in an SEO audit can provide several benefits, including:
- Improved search engine visibility: An SEO audit can identify technical and content-related issues that may be hindering the website’s search engine visibility and rankings. By addressing these issues, the website can achieve higher rankings and improved visibility in search results.
- Increased traffic: Higher rankings and improved visibility can result in an increase in traffic to the website, which can lead to more leads, sales, and conversions.
- Better user experience: An SEO audit can identify issues related to the website’s design, navigation, and other elements that may be affecting the user experience. Improving these elements can result in a better user experience, which can increase engagement and lead to higher conversion rates.
- Improved ROI: By improving the website’s search engine visibility, traffic, and conversion rates, an SEO audit can help to improve the return on investment (ROI) of the website.
- Competitive advantage: An SEO audit can help a website to stay ahead of its competitors by ensuring that it is optimized for the latest search engine algorithms and ranking factors.
Overall, an SEO audit can provide valuable insights and recommendations for improving a website’s search engine performance, which can have a positive impact on the website’s traffic, conversions, and bottom line.
What is the average cost of an SEO audit for a small business?
The cost of an SEO audit for a small business can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the size of the website, the level of complexity, and the experience of the provider.
On average, a basic SEO audit for a small business can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500. However, more comprehensive or in-depth audits can cost significantly more.
It is also important to keep in mind that the cost of an SEO audit is just one part of the overall cost of SEO. In addition to the audit, there may also be costs associated with implementing the audit recommendations, as well as ongoing costs for monitoring and maintaining the website’s search engine performance.
When choosing an SEO provider, it is important to get quotes from multiple providers and compare the scope of work and pricing to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
