How much does full-service SEO cost?

 When you're trying to work out how much full-service SEO costs in Australia—particularly in a city like Ottawa—you’ll likely be met with answers that range from “it depends” to “anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ per month.” Not exactly helpful when you're trying to budget, right?

Let’s cut through the confusion. This guide offers a clear breakdown of what you’re actually paying for with SEO, the price ranges you can realistically expect, and—most importantly—how to tell if you're getting value for your investment.

So, how much does full-service SEO cost in Australia (and Ottawa)?

Straight answer up top: most full-service SEO packages in Australia cost between AUD $1,500 and $5,000 per month, depending on:

• The size and competitiveness of your market

• Whether you’re working with an agency, freelancer, or in-house

• The scope of services included (more on that shortly)

• The strength of your existing digital presence

In smaller regional cities like Ottawa, costs can start lower, but it’s not always a bargain. Why? Because even smaller markets are getting saturated, and local SEO still needs expertise, tools, and time.

What’s actually included in full-service SEO?

It’s not just “keyword stuffing” or tweaking page titles anymore. A true full-service SEO package is multi-layered. Here’s a look at what that typically includes:

1. Technical SEO

Think of this as tuning your car before a long drive. If your site isn’t technically sound, no amount of content or backlinks will help.

• Site speed optimisation

• Mobile responsiveness

• Secure connections (HTTPS)

• Crawlability and indexation fixes

• Schema markup

2. On-page SEO

This is the craft of making your pages readable and relevant to both users and search engines.

• Title tags and meta descriptions

• Header structures (H1, H2, etc.)

• Internal linking (yes, this affects rankings)

• Keyword intent alignment

3. Content strategy and creation

Content is your long-term SEO equity.

• Blog posts, guides, landing pages

• Topic clusters

• Keyword research and mapping

• Content refreshes and pruning

4. Link building

This is where a lot of the budget goes—because quality backlinks require strategy, outreach, and time.

• Guest posting

• Digital PR

• Local citations

• Business directories

5. Local SEO

Especially vital for service-based businesses or those with physical locations.

• Google Business Profile optimisation

• Local listings

• Geo-targeted content

6. Analytics, reporting and ongoing audits

If your SEO partner isn’t showing you numbers and tying them back to ROI, they’re just guessing.

Why are SEO prices all over the place?

Simple—SEO is not a commodity. It’s a professional service that varies wildly depending on who's behind it.

Here’s what changes the game:

• Freelancers might charge less (AUD $500–$2,000/month) but could lack depth or bandwidth.

• Boutique agencies might sit in the AUD $1,500–$5,000/month range, with more strategic input.

• Enterprise-level SEO for national or complex sites? That’ll start at $5,000/month and climb quickly.

In Ottawa, local businesses often pay on the lower end of this scale—but the same rules apply. You get what you pay for.

What red flags should I watch out for?

Good SEO isn’t fast, and it’s never guaranteed (at least not ethically). Here are a few red flags that might indicate low-value offers:

• Promises of “Page 1 rankings in 30 days” — often using black-hat tactics

• Lack of reporting or transparency

• One-size-fits-all pricing with no discovery phase

• Outsourced or low-quality content creation

A solid provider will spend time learning your business, goals, and competitive landscape before quoting a price. It’s about strategy, not just deliverables.

Is SEO even worth the money?

Here’s the behavioural truth: people Google their way through decisions. Whether it’s choosing a plumber, comparing fitness studios, or finding a tax accountant, if you're not visible, you're invisible.

That means SEO is less about “marketing spend” and more about owning your future discoverability.

As behavioural scientist Dan Monheit would put it: loss aversion is real—and not investing in SEO could mean leaving thousands in revenue on the table every month.

Case in point: Local SEO in action

Take a local café in suburban Ottawa. They started with zero online visibility—no Google Business listing, no reviews, and a clunky old website.

Within 6 months of full-service SEO (including site overhaul, citation building, and local content), they were ranking in the top 3 for “best coffee in Ottawa East.” Foot traffic increased by 28%, and takeaway orders spiked on weekends.

That’s the behavioural nudge at work—people follow visibility cues like reviews, rankings, and map placements when making quick decisions.

What does a typical SEO quote look like?

Here’s a rough idea of what you might get at different price points in AUD:

Price Range	Inclusions	Ideal For
$500–$1,000	Basic audits, light content work, minimal links	Startups, solo operators
$1,000–$2,500	Full-site SEO, regular blog posts, basic link work	Local businesses in competitive areas
$2,500–$5,000	Advanced SEO, technical optimisation, outreach	E-commerce, multi-location services
$5,000+	Custom strategies, in-depth analytics, PR support	National brands, enterprise clients

How long until SEO pays off?

Let’s be blunt: SEO is a long game. You’ll usually see meaningful results in 4–6 months, with compounding ROI from month 9 onward.

If someone tells you otherwise, ask what shortcuts they’re using—and how long it’ll take Google to catch on.

Can I DIY full-service SEO?

Technically yes, but realistically? Most business owners don’t have the time, tools, or desire to keep up with algorithm shifts, crawl budget issues, or content decay.

You can absolutely start with small wins—optimise your homepage, write helpful local content, get reviews. But full-service SEO is about compounding effort across multiple fronts, which is hard to juggle solo.

FAQ: What most people ask about SEO pricing

Q: Can I just pay once and be done with it?
Not really. SEO needs ongoing upkeep—think of it like physical fitness. A single bootcamp won’t keep you in shape long-term.

Q: Is Google Ads cheaper than SEO?
In the short term, yes. But SEO has no ongoing click costs. Once you rank, traffic is essentially free (minus maintenance).

Q: What’s the ROI of SEO?
High, if done right. Studies show that organic leads convert 8X better than outbound ones. And once you rank, you keep reaping the benefits long after the initial effort.

Final thoughts: Don’t just shop on price

In the end, the real question isn’t “how much does SEO cost?”—it’s “what’s the cost of not being found?”

If you’re exploring providers for seo service in ottawa , don’t just compare rates—compare strategy, transparency, and track record.

And remember: good SEO doesn't just bring clicks. It builds trust, authority, and long-term momentum. Something that’s priceless in the eyes of Google—and your future customers.