The best way to charge for SEO services?

What do you feel is the best way to charge for SEO services? Do you charge a flat rate based on percentage of performance, X amount per position, or what? I'm talking about billing for sitting down one-on-one and planning out the design, optimization, link building, etc. (long term work)

Everyone seems to have a different opinion on this.

 

I like X amount per position for specific keywords on the SERPs. With a small flat fee to cover expenses/time, but incremental increases for position in SERP.

This would be most fair for them and you. You could charge a flat fee for link building, which you would have possibly more control over, especially if you own the backlinking sites.

As you build a better portfolio of results you could charge more or be more selective of your customers.

 

I generally provide a full quotation, which details the agreed keywords, an outline methodology required to achieve the keywords and a monthly fee.

I then provide the client with a monthly report, showing keyword positioning and completed tasks.

 

from customers stand point , and 20% initially, then 30% for the 1st phase of work, 30% for the second phase of work and 20% would be the final point/

 

We usually charge according to the difficultly and positioning of the keyword.

 

I usually charge based on keyword and competitor, though some keyword has a high competition but can easily achieved some with few but hard to get the top position.

 

charges should be according to the keyword

 

It depend on your level of competence that make sure you about the result you can bring forth for your client.

 

I think this article makes an excellent point - that SEO services shouldn't merely be concerned with SERPS but with the way the client uses the web to generate business. I think if you really take the time to understand the clients business and how you can use the web to build on that, then 1) you can charge more 2) you will become a 'partner' in the business rather than merely a service provider. If you can increase traffic and increase the % conversion - then you've really provided tremendous added value and you should charge accordingly.

http://www.davidnaylor.co.uk/seo-services-what-to-expect.html

 

Good point bornagaintrader! There is more to it than just SERPs.

 

Hours spent on project

 

Basically charges should depends upon the competiton and the demands of the keywords.

 

i think it's better to pay for performance

 

That's a hard question to answer. Since business owners want ROI, you are going to have to do an upfront analysis to see:

• How competitive is the market
• How competitive are the keywords
• How many keywords are going to be optimized
• How many pages on the customer's site will need on-page optimization
• What the target geographic location will be
• How much traffic can you generate with 'X' results
• What is the conversion percentage
• How much profit is built into each "widget" the customer is selling
• How many sales the client will have to make to see a 100% ROI
• How long a 100% ROI will take

After that, you are going to have to calculate how many hours (h) you will be putting into the optimization project each month, and how much money you will be charging (c) for those hours. Then calculate your monthly hard costs (m) and mark it up 25% (m * 1.25). It's a simple formula then to calculate what you will bid:

(h * c) + (m * 1.25) = your monthly bid

I also like to add in 10% to the top to allow for contingencies.

After all that's done, look at what bornagaintrader posted about becoming a "partner" with your client, and focus on getting them results that make them happy and provide the expected ROI. And don't forget customer service.

 

I think that is a really good idea. More targeted, less competitive keywords can charge less, and more competitive keywords you charge more.

 

The formula looks great - but how about charging them for costs+share in increased profits? Is this not done generally?

 

great formola for getting monthly cost of a SEO.