16 Affordable SEO Services for Small Businesses

Affordable SEO is that middle ground where strategy meets value. It’s not about quick tricks or inflated promises — it’s about getting the core essentials done right, within a realistic budget. Consider smarter keyword targeting, creating content that genuinely helps your audience, and implementing local SEO strategies to increase visibility in your community.

In this article, we’ll explain what affordable SEO really offers, what it costs, and why it’s a smart starting point for growing your business online.

What Are Affordable SEO Services?

Affordable SEO services are budget-conscious search engine optimization solutions typically offered by digital marketing agencies to help small businesses, startups, and individuals improve their online visibility. These agencies tailor services to focus on high-impact tasks, ensuring measurable results like better Google rankings, increased traffic, and qualified leads, without requiring a large investment.

Agencies offering affordable SEO often structure packages around essential services, including:

• SEO audits to uncover technical or content-related issues
• Keyword research to identify valuable search terms
• On-page SEO, such as optimizing titles, meta descriptions, headings, and content
• Technical improvements for mobile usability and site speed
• Local SEO, including Google Business Profile setup and optimization
• Regular reporting with key metrics to track progress

How Much Do Affordable SEO Services Cost?

It is difficult to calculate the average SEO costs accurately. First, agencies use different pricing models: some offer fixed packages, others work on a pay-for-performance basis, or charge hourly rates. Secondly, the cost is influenced by the size of the business, the scope of tasks, and the level of competition in your niche.

Since hourly rates are the most transparent model, we used this as the basis for our calculations. Our team has analyzed the pricing of 629 Clutch-verified agencies and came up with the following average figures:

As you can see from the results, the majority of companies, specifically 35%, price their assistance at $100-$149 per hour. This is what we offer to consider the average cost of SEO services.

Cheap SEO vs. Affordable SEO Services

Not every inexpensive SEO offering is worth the money. The difference between cheap and affordable SEO might seem small at first glance, but it can make or break your website’s success in the long run.

Cheap SEO services are usually about quick fixes, mass-produced backlinks, and one-size-fits-all packages. With no real monthly SEO strategy in place, it might cost less upfront, but it often relies on outdated or risky tactics that could get your site penalized by search engines. Think of it as buying bargain tools that break after a few uses.

Affordable SEO, on the other hand, is about working smarter. It’s offered by agencies that understand how to stretch your budget while still focusing on the things that actually move the needle — like quality content, local optimization, and technical improvements. You get real strategy, not shortcuts.

Let’s compare the approaches in more detail:

Are Affordable SEO Services Effective?

Affordable SEO doesn’t work the same way for everyone. For example, this approach is effective if you have a small local business and just need people from your city to start finding you on Google. You might not have strong competition, but there’s a need for technical order, proper structure, and clear pages that answer customer queries. That’s exactly what small business SEO aims to fix.

The option also works great if you’re a startup entering the market and want to get your first organic leads. Or if your site already exists, but it feels like there’s more potential. In such situations, affordable SEO services for small businesses can help identify weaknesses, fix errors, boost visibility, and give a general push.

But if you’re already getting traffic, have strong competitors, plans to expand, target new languages and markets, and develop a product with a high customer acquisition cost, basic optimization won’t cut it. You’ll need an SEO strategy, ongoing analysis, regular content, link building, usability, and analytics, all things that go beyond a limited budget.

Top 10 Affordable SEO Companies to Work with

Choosing a contractor is always a risk, especially when you’re working with a limited budget. A wrong decision can be costly. In this list, we’ve highlighted the best affordable SEO companies that specialize in making the most of smaller budgets while still delivering solid results.

SeoProfy

Average rate: $80/h

At SeoProfy, we’ve earned our reputation as the best affordable SEO company for businesses that prioritize real outcomes — not just higher rankings. With over 13 years of experience and a team of 100+ seasoned SEO professionals, we’ve helped startups, scale-ups, and global brands boost their traffic, leads, and sales through strategic, data-driven SEO.

Our philosophy is simple: no shortcuts, no fluff — just tailored strategies that deliver long-term, measurable growth. We believe SEO should drive results you can see, not just pretty reports you can read.

Key services:

• SEO audits to uncover and resolve performance issues
• Technical optimization to improve speed, structure, and indexability
• Content strategy that connects with users and search engines
• Link building with authoritative, relevant backlinks
• SEO consulting for expert advice and strategic direction
• Local & ecommerce SEO to dominate relevant search results
• Specialized SEO for SaaS, Ecommerce, Legal, and other complex niches

SeoProfy, a professional SEO company, has worked with all kinds of companies — from ambitious startups to Fortune 500 giants and Inc. 5000 success stories. Our clients have seen organic traffic grow to over 300 million monthly visits, with an average ROI of +780%. That’s not luck — it’s the result of deep research, proven processes, and a team that delivers.

We only take on projects where we know we can make a difference. That’s how we’ve built long-standing partnerships with companies like Preply, FXTM, VistaCreate, and others who rely on us to drive sustainable SEO success.

So, what do we actually do? If you’re a startup looking for visibility or an enterprise aiming to scale, we design a custom SEO approach that aligns with your goals and budget.

Best for:

• Businesses of any size or niche
• Startups to enterprises needing affordable SEO
• Ecommerce, SaaS, local, and global brands
• Teams looking for scalable, ROI-focused strategies
• Companies recovering from poor SEO results

On The Map Marketing

Average rate: $100–$149/h

On The Map Marketing is a U.S.-based digital marketing agency that has been operating since 2009. This SEO service provider works with over a thousand companies in the U.S. They focus on affordable search engine optimization and web design for law firms, clinics, construction companies, local businesses, and service industries.

This affordable SEO services company holds a 4.5 rating on Clutch. Most reviews highlight their strong support and traffic growth. However, some negative reviews exist. One describes them as “the biggest fraudulent marketing agency in South Florida.” This gives their reputation a mixed perception.

Key services:

• SEO (local, e-commerce, content, link building)
• PPC
• Website development and redesign
• Digital PR
• Content marketing

Best for:

• Companies that need a website redesign and SEO with a clear structure of tasks
• Those looking for a turnkey solution within a reasonable budget

Ignite Visibility

Average rate: $100–$149/h

Ignite Visibility is a marketing agency based in San Diego, founded in 2012. The company has more than 230 employees and serves clients worldwide, including in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Its clients range from large brands to medium-sized businesses and startups in healthcare, education, retail, SaaS niches.

The agency has developed its own technology, Certainty Tech, which helps predict results and measure effectiveness. So, even with a limited budget, the focus is on actions that can lead to growth.

On Clutch, the agency holds a rating of 4.8 based on over 140 reviews. Most clients are satisfied with the results. However, there are a few complaints about delays in task completion and the quality of content creation services.

Key services:

• SEO (including local and e-commerce)
• Paid advertising management (PPC)
• Email marketing
• Social media
• Website development and redesign
• Digital PR
• Content marketing
• Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
• Brand management on Amazon

Best for:

• Companies that need comprehensive digital support
• Businesses seeking predictable results and clear processes

SmartSites

Average rate: $100–$149/h

SmartSites is an SEO agency with over 100 specialists and more than 900 completed projects. The main focus is on helping businesses grow within the given budget, without unnecessary steps or services. The company actively works with businesses in the healthcare, legal, automotive, and retail industries.

SmartSites has almost 300 reviews and a high average rating of 4.9 on an independent platform, Clutch. However, a few reviews mention issues with the quality of links and occasional communication gaps.

Key services:

• SEO
• PPC
• Email and SMS marketing
• Website development and redesign
• Social media management
• Content marketing
• Digital strategy

Best for:

• Clients looking for an affordable SEO agency with experience in local SEO
• Those who want to receive regular reports and see how their investment is performing

OuterBox

Average rate: $150–$199/h

OuterBox is a digital marketing agency with over 20 years of experience and a team of 250+ specialists. This affordable SEO company focuses on the synergy between search optimization, paid advertising, CRO, and development. All efforts are aimed at improving visibility, traffic, and sales.

On Clutch, the agency has a rating of 5.0. It reflects a high level of client satisfaction. However, reviews on other platforms, like Google, mention some issues with the quality of certain services, particularly concerning reporting.

Key services:

• SEO (including eCommerce and B2B)
• PPC and Google Ads management
• Email marketing
• Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
• Website development and redesign
• Content marketing
• Analytics and call tracking
• Digital strategy and consulting

Best for:

• Ecommerce projects focused on increasing sales
• Clients looking for a combination of development and marketing in one place

Delante

Average rate: $50–$99/h

Delante is an SEO agency based in Kraków, founded in 2014. Their approach is based on a full-cycle service. All processes, from audits to link building and content, are handled in-house. The collaboration format is flexible, and the rates are among the most affordable in the market for this level of expertise.

Delante holds a rating of 4.9 with over 100 reviews on Clutch. Clients often highlight their attention to detail. However, there are occasional complaints regarding the lack of clarity in budget allocation and difficulties in understanding what exactly the client is paying for. Therefore, there might be issues with reporting.

Key services:

• SEO (technical, content, international, eCommerce)
• Local SEO
• SEO audits
• One-time SEO projects
• Google Ads and Meta Ads
• Content marketing
• UX and GA4 consulting
• Link building

Best for:

• Companies that need a strong focus on SEO without additional services being pushed on them
• Clients seeking a clear task structure and direct interaction with specialists

HigherVisibility

Average rate: $100–$149/h

HigherVisibility is the U.S.-based agency that works with clients of all sizes, from local businesses to Fortune 1000 companies. The agency offers SEO services with a clear task prioritization system and predictable results.

HigherVisibility has a rating of 4.6 on Clutch, based on numerous, mostly positive, reviews. However, one case, discussed publicly, mentions a drop in performance after starting work with the agency and subsequent legal difficulties.

Key services:

• SEO (local, eCommerce, franchising)
• PPC and display advertising
• Website development
• Content marketing
• Link building
• Facebook and Google ad management

Best for:

• Companies looking for clear reporting and strategic planning
• Clients seeking a reliable contractor with a clear working model

The HOTH

Average rate: undisclosed

The HOTH is one of the most recognizable SEO agencies on the market, with thousands of clients and extensive experience. The company offers a flexible range of SEO services. Their primary focus is on scalable solutions that can be adapted to any goals and budgets.

The company has over 400 reviews on Google, surpassing most competitors. This highlights their high demand and extensive experience. Still, there have been a few mistakes, like when a client’s link was placed next to a competitor’s in an article. However, the team is quick to respond and resolve such issues.

Key services:

• Managed SEO
• Blog and page content
• Link building (outreach, placements, digital PR)
• Local SEO
• Technical audit
• Citation/citation cleanup
• PPC and web design

Best for:

• Clients with limited time looking for “turnkey” SEO solutions
• Those who value speed, automation, and affordable seo packages

Intero Digital

Average rate: $100–$149/h

Intero Digital is an agency with over 20 years of experience and a team of around 400 specialists. The company offers a comprehensive approach to digital marketing with a focus on SEO and proprietary technologies, including the internally developed InteroBOT system for precise audits and forecasts.

On Clutch, the agency holds a 4.9 rating based on more than 100 reviews. Clients frequently highlight strong communication, clear planning, and consistent growth. Yet, one case describes a sharp drop in rankings (from first to 47th place), indicating potential results instability in certain situations.

Key services:

• National and local SEO
• eCommerce SEO
• SEO audit and technical optimization
• PPC and paid search advertising
• Content marketing and digital PR
• Social media and influencer marketing
• Email marketing and web development

Best for:

• Businesses seeking comprehensive support with a focus on results
• Those looking for scalable solutions within a reasonable budget

Mainstreethost

Average rate: Not disclosed

Mainstreethost is a digital agency with over 25 years of experience, based in the USA, and serving small and medium-sized businesses. On its website, the company clearly emphasizes offering low-cost SEO services and flexible cooperation terms.

The team offers ready-made solutions for various types of tasks, from increasing visibility to lead generation. However, there are only a few reviews on independent platforms, and the feedback is a mix of positive and negative.

Key services:

• SEO (including technical and local SEO)
• Content marketing and copywriting
• Website development and redesign
• PPC
• Social media and email marketing

Best for:

• Small and medium-sized businesses seeking straightforward and affordable SEO solutions
• Companies seeking flexible cooperation

The Most Common Affordable SEO Services

You don’t need an enterprise-sized budget to see real results from SEO. Many essential services are available at reasonable rates — and when done well, they can generate lasting value. Below are the most in-demand and cost effective SEO services businesses rely on to grow their online visibility.

Technical SEO Audit

Technical SEO audit average cost: $700-1000/audit

A core part of most affordable services is the technical SEO audit. It helps identify tech issues that prevent the site from displaying correctly in search results and cause inconvenience for users. Specialists check the loading speed, page structure, mobile version, duplicates, broken links, and other issues that may slow down growth. Without this step, it’s impossible to understand where to start and how to distribute your budget.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO average cost: $50/page

If a page is published but isn’t showing in search results or isn’t getting clicks, the issue often lies in internal optimization. On-page SEO services help solve this. It involves optimizing titles, texts, structure, and internal linking between pages. This helps search engines understand what the page is about and show it in relevant search results. It also ensures users stay on the page longer, instead of bouncing away after a few seconds.

Link building

Link building average cost: $80–100/hour

Low-cost services sometimes focus on creating a large volume of links through forums, comments, or directories — but this rarely delivers lasting SEO value. This creates the illusion of activity but doesn’t provide any real benefit.

Affordable SEO services take a different approach. Their goal is to build a link profile that improves rankings. So, effective link building services focus on quality over quantity, not just creating volume. Experienced specialists secure backlinks on platforms where they appear natural and relevant — both to users and search engines. Sure, this method takes more time and effort, but these backlinks stick around longer and deliver results.

SEO Consulting

SEO consulting average cost: $100–150/hour

SEO consulting involves working with specialists who evaluate the current state of your website, identify weaknesses, and provide guidance on the next steps. The goal of consulting is to uncover key issues, define priorities, align the budget, and identify the strategies most likely to generate results. Everything is based on analysis, experience, and real data.

Often, SEO consulting isn’t a standalone service but part of the overall process when working with an agency. For example, monthly SEO plans often include regular consulting sessions to track progress and adjust the strategy as needed. This helps clients gain clarity on where to invest their efforts and budget for the best impact.

Local SEO

Local SEO average cost: $500–650/location

When people search for nearby services, they rarely go beyond the first page of results. Local SEO ensures that the website is placed in front of those who are ready to visit, call, or make a purchase right away.

This involves setting up a Google business profile, adding the address and working hours, and writing content focused on a specific city or neighborhood. This approach doesn’t require large investments because competition is usually lower in location-based searches, making local SEO services a common part of affordable packages. Especially for small businesses looking to attract nearby customers or foot traffic.

SEO Content Creation

SEO content creation average cost: $160–220/1,000-word landing page

SEO content creation refers to services focused on producing texts that help a website appear in search results and attract an audience interested in a product or service. This approach is used across all pricing levels, from premium SEO packages to the cheapest SEO service, because content consistently drives visibility and user engagement.

Here’s the process: SEO experts identify the search queries people enter into Google when looking for a solution to their problem. Content is crafted around these queries to answer questions, guide decisions, and compare options. In affordable SEO, the focus is on topics that can bring the most traffic.

How to Choose an Affordable SEO Company

Finding a budget-friendly SEO company is one thing. Choosing one that delivers real value without cutting corners? That’s the hard part. Here’s what to look for when selecting a provider that respects your budget and your business goals.

• Look for tailored strategies, not one-size-fits-all packages. Your business has unique goals — your SEO plan should too.
• Ask for proof of results. Reliable agencies share case studies, performance data, and client reviews that show they know what they’re doing.
• Check how they communicate. Do they explain their approach clearly? Are they responsive and professional from the first call? That’s usually a sign of how the relationship will go.
• Prioritize process over promises. A solid SEO company will walk you through their step-by-step plan, explain the “why” behind it, and set realistic expectations.

Before signing any contract, watch out for these red flags that often signal inexperience or dishonest practices:

Guaranteed Search Rankings

Search rankings are influenced by over 200 factors, including domain history, competitors’ strategies, and real-time user behavior. With frequent algorithm updates and increasing personalization, no one can reliably guarantee a specific spot.

Promises of Quick Results

It might seem like SEO is not working, but often, it just needs time. On average, it takes 3–6 months to start seeing measurable SEO gains — depending on your industry, competition, and site history. Agencies promising overnight success may be using black-hat tactics or misleading metrics.

Unjustified Volume of Tasks

Beware of agencies that flood you with tasks without a clear roadmap or explanation. A good SEO strategy prioritizes high-impact actions, aligns with your goals, and evolves based on performance — not just quantity.

Grow Your Business Smarter with Affordable SEO Services

SEO doesn’t have to drain your budget or feel out of reach. There are companies out there offering the most affordable SEO services for a small business that actually work without cutting corners or hiding behind vague deliverables.

At SeoProfy, we know how to turn limited resources into visible growth. We don’t sell templates or inflate your to-do list. Instead, our team builds strategies around your goals, product, and audience. If you’re ready to get more from your website without overspending, we’re here to help.

Author

Andrew Shum

Andrew is the Head of SEO at SeoProfy, leading a team of more than 20 experienced SEO specialists. He has been involved in search engine optimization and digital marketing since 2016, gaining hands-on experience across various niches and regions. Andrew possesses strong analytical and strategic skills, particularly in planning SEO strategies for highly competitive projects.