They already had an online store, but it had not been optimized for SEO. I charged them a flat fee to do one-time on-page optimization, focusing on titles, meta descriptions, and other basics. Their goal was to rank for a specific product and their brand name, both of which I was able to achieve within three months. As a result of my work, their sales increased by 252% and organic search clicks by 162%. They are now interested in monthly SEO services, but I am hesitant to suggest expensive link building. I have 15 years of experience in SEO and wonder if my concerns are valid or if it's just imposter syndrome. My hourly rate is high, so I struggle to find a balance in pricing for ongoing services. Any advice from fellow SEO professionals would be welcomed.
It’s great that you’ve achieved such impressive results with a one-time SEO effort. It’s natural to be hesitant about expensive link building, especially after seeing such success with on-page optimization.
Here’s how to approach pricing for monthly SEO:
- Focus on the Value: Instead of focusing solely on your hourly rate, emphasize the value you’ve already delivered. Showcase the 252% sales increase and 162% organic click growth, demonstrating the direct impact of your work. This will justify a higher monthly fee.
- Tiered Packages: Offer different tiers of service based on the scope of work. For example:
- Basic: Ongoing on-page optimization, keyword research, and reporting.
- Intermediate: Includes the basics plus content creation and local SEO.
- Advanced: Incorporates link building strategies, technical SEO audits, and competitor analysis.
- Transparent Pricing: Clearly outline the deliverables and costs for each tier. Be transparent about your process and the rationale behind your pricing.
- Client Goals: Align your services with their ongoing business goals. If their sales are still growing significantly, perhaps a less aggressive link building approach is suitable for now. Focus on sustaining and building upon the existing foundation.
- Performance-Based Pricing: Consider a performance-based model where a portion of your fee is tied to achieving specific KPIs, such as organic traffic, leads, or sales. This can incentivize you to deliver consistent results and provide transparency for your client.
- Review and Adjust: Regularly review your performance and adjust pricing based on the client’s needs and your ability to deliver value.
Remember, your 15 years of experience provide you with valuable insights and expertise. Trust your gut and communicate openly with your client. A combination of value-based pricing, tiered packages, and performance-based elements can help you establish a fair and mutually beneficial monthly SEO partnership.