Tag: SEO price

The Complete Guide to SEO Services and Prices in 2025
When you want to drive long term website traffic, reach a larger audience and generate more leads/sales, search engine optimisation (SEO) is the perfect strategy. SEO is not a one-size-fits-all service because businesses differ in their needs (immediate results vs long term) and their marketing sophistication (how many different types of marketing you do each month) as well as marketing budgets (how much should you spend on marketing?).

SEO is a specialist skill – yes you can learn how to do it yourself (Google offers free training courses) yet hiring an expert will get you results faster and without the rookie mistakes. It’s also a fast-moving discipline with new techniques being introduced regularly. The most recent is GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) – which ensures AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI cite your content as sources – read the numero® ebook on this.

When you want to hire an SEO agency, you need to know how much SEO costs and what you get for your money.

In this post, we will help you to understand the cost of SEO so you clearly know how much to pay when you hire a professional SEO agency such as Numero.

Let’s explore some numbers.

Read on for in-depth information or call us at 09 390 3997 to discuss your unique requirements with an SEO specialist.

How Much Does Business SEO Cost?

The average cost of search engine optimisation in New Zealand is $1,850 to $6,000 per month. This covers micro businesses (1-3 people) up to medium sized businesses (20+ people). For one-off SEO projects, the cost can range anywhere between $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of the job and the specific details.

Small businesses can expect to pay an $150 to $300 an hour for SEO services.

What Affects the Cost of SEO?

A variety of factors influence the average cost of SEO services such as:
- The agency’s pricing model (hourly, retainer, length of contract)
- The agency’s experience (solo freelancer, 2 years experience up to 10 years plus)
- The goals of your SEO strategy (quick increase in sales leads vs long term web visibility)
- The timeline of your SEO campaign (3 months versus 18 months plus)
- The software, tools or resources required (your website has 10 pages or 1000s of pages)
When looking at SEO costs, it’s important to note that search engine optimisation is a long-term investment. SEO does not produce instant results. By investing in a well-designed SEO strategy, you are improving the visibility of your website, which will drive more traffic, leads and sales for your business.

In comparison to other online marketing strategies such as social media marketing and PPC, SEO will deliver powerful results for your business over the long-term. It will keep delivering a high ROI week after week whereas PPC will stop delivering results the moment you stop paying for the advertising campaign.

When comparing the costs of SEO, look for an experienced SEO agency rather than searching for the cheapest service. Low-cost SEO will not do your business any good. It will cause harm if shortcuts, link farms and other “black hat” SEO techniques are used. This will get your website in trouble, and attracting Google penalties and instant removal from search results. If you aren’t expert in SEO you will find it hard to spot this malpractice happening until it’s too late and Google has penalised your website removing it from search results.

How Much Does SEO Cost Per Project, Month and Hour?

SEO agencies price their services differently, and no two companies will quote the same rate. Your business model, company size and SEO requirements will determine the size and scope of your SEO strategy and how much it will cost you. If you have already done a lot of website SEO and want to maintain your keyword prominence or add a new service line the costs will be lower than if you have done no SEO in the past.

But there are some basic pricing models that a lot of SEO companies and consultants lean on to price their SEO services. These include hourly, monthly and project-based. Let’s take a look at the average cost of SEO services under each of these pricing models:
- Cost of Hourly SEO Services
Freelance SEO consultants typically charge by the hour, and the costs can range from $30 to $400 per hour. Most clients spend anywhere from $80 to $250 an hour, depending on whether they hire a freelancer or a small team and whether the SEO expert is a newcomer or has years of experience in SEO.
- Cost of Monthly SEO Services
This is the best option for business that understand ongoing SEO investment.

Monthly SEO plans can start from as low as $850 per month (as part of a basic plan, your SEO agency will carry out basic SEO tasks on your website. This includes keyword research, technical website SEO, copywriting and on-page SEO. Monthly plans can go as high as $6,000 a month or more (where the agency will create high-quality content and outreach to your website to build back links).

Most business find a middle ground and invest anywhere from $1,750 to $2,500 a month for a customised SEO campaign tailored to their requirements.
- Cost of Project-Based SEO Services
Although this model is not very common, businesses do hire an SEO agency to carry out extensive work for a specific campaign or project. One example can be rescuing your website after suffering Google penalties. Getting penalised is usually the result of poor practice SEO and black hat techniques. Because the requirements of a project depends on the needs of a campaign and the company, it is not easy to provide an estimate and the prices could range from $5,000 to $25,000 and more. The final cost will depend on the scope of the project, time frame and the level of experience of the agency.

What Does numero’s SEO Service Cover?

A big reason why there’s no standard rate for SEO is that the services vary from agency to agency. The cheapest SEO services offer keyword research and inserting these into your website. This is very basic. The more sophisticated SEO services include link building, SEO for AI artificial intelligence and GEO. A fully integrated digital marketing service blends SEO with advertising and other services. numero® offers “blended” marketing across all performance marketing services.

Our SEO plan may cover all or most of the following monthly SEO tasks:
- Crafting a customised SEO strategy
- Keyword research
- Designing and launching your SEO campaign
- Managing your social media pages
- Carrying out technical SEO audits
- Writing blog posts
- On-page SEO for your product/service pages
- Improving the page load speed of your website
- Improving your website’s technical SEO
- Launching an outreach campaign to earn backlinks from authority websites
This is just an example of the tasks that an SEO plan can cover. What you actually get will depend on the plan you choose, your customised SEO strategy and how it’s integrated with other marketing activities like advertising.

Is my SEO working?

Judging the success of SEO can definitely be traced and monitored. Here’s a high level summary of core SEO success metrics. Ask the numero team to explain these

Traffic and Visibility:
- Organic search traffic growth over time
- Search engine rankings for target keywords
- Click-through rates from search results
- Organic traffic as percentage of total website traffic
Engagement Quality:
- Time spent on pages from organic search
- Bounce rate for organic visitors
- Pages per session from search traffic
- Conversion rates from organic visitors
Technical Performance:
- Site loading speed and Core Web Vitals
- Mobile usability scores
- Crawl errors and indexing issues
Tools that measure SEO success

Essential SEO Tools
- Google’s Free Tools:
- Google Analytics 4 – Track organic traffic, user behavior, and conversions
- Google Search Console – Monitor search performance, indexing status, and technical issues
- PageSpeed Insights – Check site speed and Core Web Vitals
Comprehensive Paid Tools:
- SEMrush or Ahrefs – Keyword tracking, competitor analysis, backlink monitoring
- Moz Pro – Rank tracking, site audits, keyword research
- Screaming Frog – Technical SEO auditing
Specialised Tools:
- GTmetrix or WebPageTest – Detailed site speed analysis
- Ubersuggest – Low budget keyword and competitor research
How Much Should I Pay for SEO Services?

There is no standard guideline for SEO pricing. This means that anyone can claim to offer SEO services and charge any price they like. So the responsibility of deciding what is a fair price for SEO falls on you, the customer, especially in case of an ongoing monthly plans.

As we saw above, the cost of SEO is as varied and varied as the agencies in New Zealand. So you are perhaps wondering how much you should pay for SEO. So how do you get to the right number?

Here are some questions to consider:
- What is your website visibility and keyword goal?
- Are you a local business or a global business selling overseas?
- How much can you afford to pay?
- How much do your employees know about SEO?
numero® is happy to work alongside your in-house marketing team training them up to do advanced SEO work.

Request a Free SEO Audit

Claim your free SEO audit and receive our in-depth report outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your current SEO strategy along with a free action plan to boost your online presence.

For more information about our SEO services or to discuss your requirements, contact the numero® team today.
September 10, 2025

How Much Does SEO Cost in NZ? [2025 Pricing Guide]

If you’re asking “what does SEO cost in New Zealand?” — you’re not alone. Thousands of Kiwi businesses search for answers every month. The truth? SEO pricing in NZ varies depending on your business size, goals, and the agency you hire.

Below, we break down the average cost of SEO in New Zealand, so you know what to budget.

Let’s explore some numbers.

For in-depth information on what would SEO cost for your business call us at 09 390 3997 to discuss your requirements with an SEO specialist. Book an SEO audit for your website.

Average SEO Costs in NZ

Service Type	Average Cost (NZD)	Best For
Monthly Retainer	$1,837 – $6,300+	Ongoing SEO for small–medium businesses
Monthly Retainer	$6,850 – $12,900	Ongoing SEO for enterprise business
One-off SEO Project	$5,000 – $25,000	Website rebuilds, migrations, penalty recovery, or major campaigns
Hourly SEO Consulting	$150 – $300	Strategy sessions, training, audits
SEO Audit	$1,500 – $5,000	Businesses wanting a roadmap before investing

SEO Costs for Small Businesses

Small businesses in NZ often spend between $1,800 – $3,500 per month on SEO. This typically includes:

Keyword research
On-page SEO
Content optimisation
Local SEO (Google Business Profile, maps, citations)
Monthly reporting

Tip: Avoid “cheap SEO” (e.g. $200/month). These usually involve spammy links or outdated tactics that can hurt your rankings.

SEO Pricing for Enterprise Business & E-commerce

Enterprise SEO: $6,850+ per month, due to scale, technical depth, and content demands.
E-commerce SEO: Often $3,000+ per month, depending on product range and competition.

SEO Packages vs. Custom Pricing

Some NZ agencies advertise “SEO packages” with fixed deliverables. Others (like enterprise agencies) create custom strategies.

When comparing SEO plans, look beyond the price tag. Ask:

How many hours of work are included?
Is content creation part of the package?
Will you build external links, or is that extra?
Do you provide reporting & transparency?

Why Do SEO Costs Vary So Much?

Competition in your industry (e.g. local plumber vs. national e-commerce site).
Scope of services (technical SEO, content, backlinks, local SEO, GEO, AI).
Agency experience (junior freelancer vs. specialist team).
Timeline & goals (ranking in 6 months vs. 18 months).

How Much Should You Budget for SEO in NZ?

Small businesses: $1,000 – $2,500 per month
Medium businesses: $2,500 – $5,000 per month
Large/enterprise: $5,000+ per month

The key is ROI: a strong SEO strategy should generate leads or sales that far outweigh the cost.

FAQ – answers to your SEO questions

Q: What is the average cost of SEO in New Zealand?
Most NZ businesses pay between $1,850 – $3,900 per month.

Q: What’s included in an SEO audit?
We review your website starting with the words and pictures through to how it is built, the software set-up, internal links, and how fast it loads. Then we start working on your current keywords, blog articles and we do a content analysis. Lastly we look at your search rankings, external links and then review the gaps in your current content and keywords where we can get SEO quick wins for you. All this is written into a detailed report which we send you.

Q: How much does a detailed SEO audit cost?
A one-off SEO audit costs $1,500 – $5,000 depending on website size. If you hire numero® we include an SEO audit AND SEO strategy in your monthly fee. A basic SEO audit is available free of charge to you – register here.

Q: Is SEO worth it for small businesses?
Yes. When done properly, SEO drives consistent traffic and leads, often with a higher ROI than ads.

Q: How long does SEO take to see results?

The fastest results can come from technical on-page SEO which may show results within weeks because once your website is correctly structured it will be correctly indexed by Google. However, GBP can also be very fast. Content SEO is the next fastest as we build the keyword hierarchy that aligns with your business products. Month by month we add new content – when you have a good back catalogue of content, this becomes more effective as an SEO strategy. Lastly, link building is the long-burn in our SEO services. It works, but not overnight.

Q: How much does SEO cost for small businesses?
Small businesses typically spend $1,800 – $2,500 per month for ongoing SEO.

September 3, 2025

Importance of Long Tail Keywords in SEO
Importance of Long Tail Keywords in SEO

Keywords come in all shapes and sizes. One common way of categorising them is either as a short tail or long tail keyword. Long tail keywords are longer phrases, i.e. phrases with more words. So, “building contractor” is a short tail keyword, while “renovations building contractor in Auckland” is a long tail keyword.

As most companies focus on short tail keywords, the long tail variety presents you with a considerable business opportunity.

Many of the world’s largest and most successful websites get this – websites like The Huffington Post, Forbes, Amazon, and eBay. They all have strategies that target long tail keywords, and you should too. Here are the reasons why:

Additional Keywords You Can Rank For

If you look at any industry or niche, individual short tail keywords are the most searched for terms. This is one of the reasons why they are the main target for most SEO strategies.

However, 70 percent of searches are for long-tail keywords. So, even though individual keywords get lots of searches, the majority of web searches are long tail keywords.

Less Competition

Any individual short tail keyword that has a high search volume will be hard to compete for. Depending on your business, that competition could include major regional, national, or international websites that have significantly more resources available for SEO than you do.

There is much less competition for long tail keywords, though, making them easier to rank for.

Can Bring Significant Traffic to Your Website

Following on from the previous two points, long tail keywords can result in your website attracting more visitors. Here’s how:
- You create high-quality content on your website targeting long tail keywords
- The content ranks near the top of search results pages because there isn’t much competition
- You get clicks through to your website
Traffic is More Targeted

Another factor to remember is that long tail keywords are often very specific. Look at the example from the start of this article:
- Short tail keyword “building contractor” – this could mean anything, from a building contractor who specialises in major commercial projects to a building contractor who covers a different geographical location.
- Long tail keyword “renovations building contractor in Auckland” – if you’re an Auckland-based building contractor who specialises in renovations work, this is a better keyword to rank for.
In fact, it is often the case that people use long tail keywords the closer they get to making a buying decision. So, at the start of their research, a person looking for a building contractor might use the keyword “building contractor”. They will then refine their searches as they get closer to understanding what they need, using long tail keywords in the process.

Better Conversion Rates

This point follows on from the previous one, i.e. if the keywords are more targeted, you are more likely to get a higher conversion rate.

Ideal for Competitive Industries and Niches

Long tail keywords are suitable for any SEO strategy, whatever products or services you sell. That said, all the previous points combined make long tail keyword strategies particularly useful if you are in a competitive industry or niche.

This is because you may not be able to compete with the SEO budgets of the big players on the web, whether those sites are international or New Zealand-based. Instead, you have to think smarter, which means targeting long tail keywords.

Less Expensive Method of Beating Your Competition

Whether you’re in a competitive industry or not, targeting long tail keywords in your SEO strategy is much less costly than targeting short tail keywords. Therefore, if your competitors currently rank higher than you, targeting long tail keywords is an approach that is likely to deliver the best return on investment.

Easier to Optimise Content

An essential part of targeting any keyword, short tail or long tail, is optimising the content on your website in general, as well as on individual pages. This can be tricky when targeting short tail keywords, not least because you face the ever-present risk of over-optimising. Over-optimising can be worse than not optimising at all.

Long tail keywords are much easier to optimise. For example, you can identify an important long tail keyword and then write a blog on that topic, using the keyword in the headline and in other strategic locations. After a few additional steps, you will have a page of content optimised for the targeted long tail keyword.

Good for Voice Searches

Another factor to consider when looking at long tail keywords is voice search. Voice search is becoming increasingly important given the growing popularity of devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home.

When people search using one of these devices, they naturally use language that is more conversational, i.e. they use long tail keywords. Therefore, targeting long tail keywords will help increase the visibility of your website and brand on voice searches.

Improve Bounce Rate

In brief, your bounce rate is the percentage of people who visit your website from Google search and then leave soon after arriving without visiting any other pages, i.e. they hit your website and bounce off it.

While this rule doesn’t apply in all situations, a high bounce rate can be an indication to Google that people visiting your website are not getting the information they are looking for. Google doesn’t like this.

As a result, it’s often better to have a bounce rate that is as low as possible.

The content on your website targeting long tail keywords is more likely to provide users with the information they are looking for. This means they are less likely to bounce, reducing your bounce rate.

Builds Better Relationships with Visitors

Following on from the above point, providing a Google search user with a focused and specific answer to their query helps to build your brand and increase your reputation. Content optimised for long tail keywords achieves this.

Helps with Your Social Media Strategy

Finally, long tail keywords can often help with your social media strategy, albeit indirectly. The previous two points are important in understanding this, i.e. the fact that content optimised for a long tail keyword is likely to directly answer a search user’s query.

This increases the possibility the person will then share the page on their social media channels, helping your overall social media strategy.

Start Targeting Long Tail Keywords

As you can see above, there are lots of benefits to targeting long tail keywords. They should be a central part of your SEO strategy.
February 13, 2019

Tag: SEO price

The Complete Guide to SEO Services and Prices in 2025

How Much Does Business SEO Cost?

What Affects the Cost of SEO?

How Much Does SEO Cost Per Project, Month and Hour?

What Does numero’s SEO Service Cover?

Is my SEO working?

Tools that measure SEO success

How Much Should I Pay for SEO Services?

Request a Free SEO Audit