SEO packages – prices, features, risks, and how to get started

Any business that aims to achieve success needs to garner attention through the internet. This means that it’s important to impress Google, appealing to the algorithms of this search engine monolith. Understanding SEO is critical to this aim – and investing in an SEO package can make all the difference to a business.

What are SEO packages?

SEO packages are subscription services offered by SEO expert agencies and individuals. Typically billed monthly, though also available at a fixed rate or annually, SEO packages will contain a range of features designed to bolster the performance of your website on major search engines. 

For convenience, we’ll refer to Google throughout the rest of this guide while discussing SEO packages. Although there are over a hundred active search engines, some of which are gaining traction, Google is far and away the biggest name in the search engine game.

Why are SEO packages important?

SEO can be free. You’ll find a variety of information sources all over the internet that claim to fill you in on how to achieve your SEO ambitions. SEO comes with a very steep learning curve, however, and the rules change constantly. 

This makes avoidable errors with potentially catastrophic results all too commonplace. Keeping on top of the latest developments is a full-time role in itself. It’s often more fiscally prudent to purchase an SEO package than assign responsibility to a staff member. 

What types of SEO package are there?

SEO packages come in many shapes and sizes, and different businesses will use varying terminology. However, there are three primary types of SEO package.

Local SEO packages

Local SEO packages are helpful for any business with a physical, brick-and-mortar location. This could include retailers, legal services, and location-specific offerings such as cleaners, automobile garages and more. A local SEO package will focus primarily on your Google My Business page, making it likelier that anybody in your geographic area will find your website as a SERP when launching a query.

National SEO packages

National SEO packages are for businesses that operate in a larger sphere, focussing less on attracting local traffic. If your business is competing with larger rivals from across the country – or even throughout the world – a local SEO package will have limited impact. You’ll be much better served by a national alternative. A national SEO package will typically focus on the content of your website, constantly updating the use of keywords and ensuring relevancy in search terms. National SEO packages will also place greater emphasis on the use of backlinks – a major page ranking factor for our Google overlords.

SEO audit packages

An SEO audit package will offer a complete review of your website, assessing exactly what you are doing right and wrong when it comes to attracting traffic. This will be a full service that investigates your content, the mobile-friendless of your site, identifying any toxic backlinks and the likelihood of being penalised in an algorithm update. Naturally, however, such a deep dive will come at a price.

Do SEO packages work?

Purchasing an SEO package is similar to hiring the services of an SEO agency. You need to understand that you are paying for expertise, and thus potential – not guaranteed results. Any SEO package that promises a tangible reward, such as reaching the top page of a Google search, should be viewed with healthy suspicion. 

What SEO packages will do is bolster your chances of success. Even if you have a team member dedicated to SEO, it can be almost impossible to keep up with the ever-shifting goalposts of Google. A DIY approach is time-consuming and potentially outdated. An SEO package will do the vast majority of the heavy lifting for you. 

Although an SEO package requires an initial financial outlay, it could potentially save your business money in the long term. It’s easy to fall foul of harsh penalties if Google’s algorithms suspect that your website practices Black Hat SEO, whether by accident or design. In such an event, your page ranking will plummet like a stone. This will impact your traffic, which in turn can seriously damage the bottom line of any business.

Ultimately, an SEO package is a great investment – if you understand what you are expecting. SEO packages are not magic wands and will not single-handedly reverse the fortunes of your business. They are, however, a great way to make substantial strides toward meeting your goals.

SEO package prices – what do they cost? 

As with all business services, the price of an SEO package will vary depending on what you are looking for. As we discussed above, there are three core types of SEO package. However, even if make a choice, you’ll need to decide whether to go basic, intermediate or advanced. Factor the potential cost of an SEO package into your marketing budget.

If you have decided to investigate an SEO package, take a look at this table. It will provide insight into how much you can expect to pay each month – and which business models would benefit most from such an investment.

Size of package	Average cost	Best for…
Basic	Below £250 / $300	Entrepreneurs and sole traders looking to bolster their web presence – especially among local consumers – and gain greater insight into search engine performance
Intermediate	Circa £500 – £700 / $600 – $825	SMEs that seek assistance with their web marketing, bolstering traffic through search engines and judicious use of keywords
Advanced	Over £1,000 / $1200	Larger businesses that need to constantly grow their web presence through SEO, especially if competing with major, multinational rivals

Cheap SEO packages – a viable option for small business?

As with all things, you get what you pay for with an SEO package. If something looks too good to be true, it likely is. Cheaper packages are typically offered by inexperienced providers that lack understanding of the subtleties and vagaries of your business. These packages will likely focus more on short-term results than long-term strategy.

How to identify a good SEO package

If you’re keen to invest in an SEO package, look out for the following features from the provider.

• A clear and distinct strategy for how your SEO goals will be achieved. SEO is a science as much as an art – it should not be discussed in broad, abstract terms
• Distinct understanding of what your business is looking to achieve, and how an SEO package can help you achieve it
• A proven track record of results, ideally from clients within your industry
• Effective and reliable communication

If you find an SEO package that you think meets your needs, ask for a conversation and demonstration with the vendor and confirm its suitability. As part of the process, you may need to make signification chances to your website – both in terms of content and structure. You’ll need to ensure that you share a mutual trust with the potential to yield positive results.

Monthly SEO packages vs. stand-alone SEO packages vs. fixed price SEO packages 

You’ll typically be presented with three options when considering an SEO package.

• Monthly SEO packages are an ongoing subscription at a regular price
• Standalone SEO packages are a one-off service, usually focussing on one particular element of SEO
• Fixed price SEO packages involve a single, usually substantial, payment for a contracted period of service 

Let’s take a look at the primary pro and con of each approach.

Duration of package	Key benefit	Biggest drawback
Monthly	Opportunity to constantly review the service, renewing or terminating as appropriate	Monthly billing leads to a lot of administration, and could see your service cut off is an invoice goes astray
Standalone	Complete mastery of a core element of SEO, such as keywords or backlinks	The cost can quickly start to build up if you need more than one service
Fixed Price	Pay once and relax – if you trust the vendor, you can leave them to manage all your SEO needs	If the service is substandard or not seeing results, you have already committed yourself to a vendor

A monthly subscription to an SEO package is the most popular choice, for good reason. Keeping the contract constantly renewable ensures that all parties are motivated to provide the best possible service and prolong the working relationship.

Common SEO package mistakes to avoid

When you decide to purchase an SEO package, ensure you make the best possible decision. This means avoiding falling for common pitfalls in this industry. Here are some mistakes associated with SEO packages that no business should fall for.

1. Purchasing from an inexperienced agency without a proven track record
2. Purchasing backlinks as part of an SEO package – that’s a strict Google no-no
3. Purchasing an outdated package that is beholden to outdated SEO practices
4. Purchase a package from a business that does not understand your customer base
5. Purchasing a package that promises immediate results. This will likely stem from shortcuts that carry penalties in the longer term

Always ensure that you have a clear goal in mind before purchasing an SEO package. This cannot be anything as vague as, “generating more traffic” or, “improving revenue.” Ascertain exactly what you are looking to achieve with an SEO package, ensuring the vendor understands these expectations. 

How to choose an SEO package – a step-by-step guide

When you’re ready to choose an SEO package, do not simply choose the highest-ranking service on Google. While this suggests that the vendor understands how to shoot to the top of page one, it does not necessarily showcase an understanding of your business and customers.

To take the plunge and select an SEO package, follow these steps.

Don’t forget, Creative.onl are always on hand to discuss your needs. Drop us a line if you’d like to learn more about your SEO packages, and how they can help your business achieve your aims.

SEO packages FAQ

There is a lot to learn about SEO packages – and plenty of reasons why any business would benefit from using such a tool. Contact Creative.onl if you’d like a demonstration of the SEO packages that we can offer. We’re confident that you’ll be thrilled with the results.