How Much -Actually- Does Shopify SEO Cost?

SEO for Shopify or any other platform can be a significant undertaking. Despite the costs involved, doing SEO for your Shopify store can be one of the best decisions that you take. It helps drive organic traffic, increases visibility and ultimately results in higher sales.

But how much money do you need to invest in Shopify SEO?

In this article, we will look into the factors that affect Shopify SEO and the various pricing models, typical and additional costs for Shopify SEO. Understanding the real cost of Shopify SEO can help you make better decisions and allocate resources wisely. 

Factors Affecting Shopify SEO Cost

Project Scope

The scope of the project, and the extent, and complexity of the work involved are crucial factors that determine the cost of Shopify SEO. Knowing the scope of work and being able to communicate it effectively with SEO agencies is key to helping you gauge the level of investment needed to achieve your desired results. 

On-page Optimization

This involves optimizing various aspects of your website to improve search engine visibility. It can include optimizing, file names, meta tags, headings, URL structures, and content. The depth and breadth of on-page optimization needed for your Shopify store will impact the cost, as more extensive optimizations require additional time and expertise.

Off-page Optimization

This involves optimizations away from your website. It can include building backlinks, citations, influencer outreach, content promotion, and establishing your website’s authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines.

The number of backlinks and other off-page optimizations required will often be determined by competition. The scale of off-page optimizations will be another key factor contributing to the overall cost of SEO for a Shopify Store. 

Technical SEO

Other technical aspects of SEO include crawlability, indexability, and overall user experience. It will involve tasks such as optimizing page speed, fixing broken links, implementing structured data, and ensuring mobile responsiveness.

Again depending on the number of technical issues that require to be addressed, the cost of SEO will be impacted. 

Many SEO agencies will offer free website audits, and these audits will usually identify on-page, off-page, and technical SEO issues. It will give you a good idea of the level of input required for each of the above factors.

Remember the scope of work is highly dependent on other factors such as the size of your website, the number of products and pages, the competitiveness of your industry, and your overall business goals. 

Industry Competition

Different niches will have varying levels of competition. In some niches, there will be high search volumes that may be dominated by websites with high Domain and Page Authority, several backlinks, great content, aged domain names, and excellent technical SEO.

Competing with well-established websites can sometimes be difficult and resource-intensivee. Having a better understanding of your competition will give you an edge in planning and implementing SEO to outrank your competitors. 

1. Level of competition in the niche – Are there any well-established brands and competitors targeting the same audience as you? Highly competitive industries will require more extensive and ongoing SEO efforts to outrank your competitors. The number of active competitors in your industry means more competition. The increased level of competition willaffectn the overall cost of your SEO project. 
2. Keyword difficulty – Keyword difficulty refers to how challenging it is to rank for specific keywords in your industry. Highly competitive keywords with high search volumes are often more difficult to rank for and may require more resources, time, and expertise to achieve favorable results. This could involve better optimization techniques e.g. stronger link-building efforts, consistent content publishing, better on-page optimization,s etc. This effort will easily increase the cost of SEO for your Shopify website. 

Current Website Condition

Whenever you are looking to start with SEO for your Shopify store, there will already be some optimizations that you may have done. Sometimes knowingly or unknowingly.

If you wereSEO-focusedd when you just started building your website and took factors such as site structure, link structure, interlinking, heading structure e.t.c into consideration, it may mean you don’t require extensive optimizations. 

1. Age and authority of the domain – Older domains that have been established for a long time may have accumulated more authority and trust from search engines, making it relatively easier to improve their rankings.
   While newer domains or those with limited online presence might require additional efforts and resources to establish their credibility and gain visibility in search results. 
2. Existing SEO infrastructure – If your Shopify store has a solid foundation with optimized meta tags, well-structured URLs, and user-friendly navigation, it may require less initial optimization work.
   However, if your website has technical issues that hinder search engine crawling and indexing, it may require more comprehensive SEO efforts, potentially increasing the overall cost.
3. Content quality and structure – Well-written, informative, and engaging content that aligns with search intent can help improve your rankings. If your Shopify store already has high-quality content, it may require less investment in content creation and optimization.
   However, if the existing content is thin, lacks optimization, or needs a content strategy overhaul, it may require additional resources to ensure it aligns with SEO best practices.

Different Pricing Models for Shopify SEO

There are 3 common pricing models used by agencies and freelancers providing Shopify SEO services. Knowing these three pricing models can help you better understand which one best aligns with your budget and requirements:

Hourly Rates

In this model, SEO professionals charge an hourly fee for the work they perform on your project. Hourly rates will vary based on the expertise and experience of the SEO professionals or agencies. Paying for the actual time spent working on your project allows for flexibility, especially when the scope of work may change over time.

However, keep in mind that hourly rates may make it challenging to estimate the final cost upfront, and costs can accumulate if the project takes longer than anticipated. Typical hourly rates vary from $25 to $250 or more depending on factors such as the SEO professional’s experience, location, and reputation.

Higher rates are often associated with more seasoned professionals who have a proven track record of delivering results.

Monthly Retainer

In this model, you agree to pay a fixed monthly fee for a specified set of SEO services. It is easier to budget with this model as you will have a predictable cost each month.

Monthly retainers are suitable for longer-term projects that require ongoing SEO efforts as it allows continuous monitoring and optimization. However, you will need to ensure that the services offered in the monthly retainer align with your goals.

The cost of a monthly retainer can vary based on factors such as the scope of work, the level of competition in your industry, and the size and complexity of your Shopify store. SEO agencies may offer different tiers of retainer packages with varying levels of service and corresponding price points.

Project-based Pricing

In this model, you will pay a flat fee for a specific SEO project or a set of deliverables. Project-based pricing provides clarity on the total cost of the project upfront, allowing you to budget accordingly.

It works well for well-defined projects with specific goals and deliverables. However, it may not be suitable for ongoing or long-term SEO efforts that require continuous optimization and monitoring. Just like a monthly retainer, the cost of project-based pricing will also depend on various factors. 

When negotiating with SEO agencies, try and get an idea beforehand of which pricing model suits your specific needs and budget.

For example, if you just need on-page optimizations done once, an hourly rate may be more suitable, however, if you have a new website and are looking for a fixed cost, you may want to opt for project-based pricing, with a deliverable such as ranking for a specific keyword in the top 5 within 3 months.

Make sure you get a detailed breakdown of the services included under each model to help you make an informed decision.

Average Cost for Shopify SEO Services

We reached out to a number of SEO agencies to get a better idea of pricing for Shopify SEO.

These are typical costs at the time of writing this article and may vary significantly based on several factors such as current trends and market conditions. However, you can use them as a guide. 

1. Basic SEO packages – These are usually suitable for newly established Shopify Stores with minimal optimization needs. They often include on-page optimizations and initial keyword research. Here are some typical services included in quotes we received for Basic SEO packages:

• • • Keyword research and analysis
    • On-page optimization (meta tags, headings, URLs)
    • Basic technical SEO improvements
    • Google Analytics setup
    • XML sitemap creation

Basic SEO packages typically range from $300 to $700 per month, depending on the extent of services included and the experience of the SEO professional or agency.

2. Intermediate SEO packages – These are suitable for Shopify stores that require a more comprehensive SEO approach. These packages cover a broader range of services and are suitable for stores operating in a moderately competitive industry.
   Here are some typical services included in quotes we received for Intermediate SEO packages:

• • Advanced keyword research and analysis
  • On-page optimization and content enhancements
  • Technical SEO improvements
  • Local SEO optimization (if applicable)
  • Competitor analysis
  • Backlink analysis and outreach

Intermediate SEO packages generally range from $700 to $1,500 per month. Again the cost will vary depending on the extent of services, competition, and experience of the SEO agency. 

3. Advanced SEO packages – These are tailored for established Shopify stores operating in highly competitive industries. These packages provide a comprehensive range of services and a more aggressive SEO strategy to outperform competitors and achieve prominent search engine rankings.
   Here are some typical services included in quotes we received for Intermediate SEO packages:

• • Extensive keyword research and analysis
  • On-page optimization and content strategy development
  • Advanced technical SEO enhancements
  • Link-building and outreach campaigns
  • Conversion rate optimization (CRO) analysis
  • Detailed monthly reporting and analysis

Advanced SEO packages typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more per month, depending on the level of competition, the size of the Shopify store, and the level of customization required. These packages often involve ongoing optimization efforts to maintain and improve search engine rankings continually.

Additional/Hidden Costs and Considerations for Shopify SEO

The typical costs for Shopify SEO are mentioned above, however, in some cases, there may be hidden costs that you may also have to consider. 

1. Content creation and optimization:
   Content is king is a common phrase that SEO professionals have used for decades now. It’s a crucial factor that will have a great impact on your SEO. If your store lacks optimized product descriptions, blog posts, or landing pages, you may need to invest in content creation or optimization services. Costs for content creation can vary based on the length and complexity of the content, as well as the expertise required for specialized industries.
2. Link building and outreach:
   Link building is an essential aspect of off-page optimization, but it often requires dedicated efforts and resources. Building high-quality backlinks can involve outreach campaigns, content collaborations, or partnerships. If your SEO strategy includes link building, you may want to consider the potential costs associated with acquiring reputable backlinks from authoritative websites.
3. SEO tools and software subscriptions:
   Usually agencies and SEO professionals will have their own SEO tools and software subscriptions, however, in some cases additional tools may be required. Some agencies may pass these additional costs on to you. 
4. Geographical Considerations:
   If your Shopify store operates in multiple locations or targets specific geographic regions, you may need localized SEO efforts. Geographic targeting can involve optimizing for local keywords, creating location-specific landing pages, and managing online business listings. Localized SEO strategies tailored to your target regions may result in additional costs. 

Conclusion

We hope you now have a better understanding of the costs involved in Shopify SEO. You should now be able to develop an effective customized SEO strategy that fits your budget and helps you achieve long-term success.

Remember, investing in effective SEO can yield significant returns by driving targeted organic traffic and boosting your online store’s visibility and revenue.