When planning SEO for a business in Canada, one of the first questions is cost. SEO services are not standardized. The price varies depending on the scope, goals, timeline, and who performs the work. This guide breaks down actual pricing models, cost ranges, and factors influencing the price, with no fluff or jargon — just practical data.
SEO Pricing Models in Canada
There are four main pricing models SEO providers use:
- Monthly Retainers
This is the most common model. Businesses pay a fixed amount each month for a bundle of ongoing SEO services. - Hourly SEO Consulting
Typically used for audits, technical work, or guidance. Suitable for companies that handle SEO internally but need expertise. - Project-Based SEO
One-time payment for a defined deliverable, such as an audit, website migration, or local SEO setup. - Performance-Based SEO
Payment is based on results, such as traffic growth or ranking improvements. Few reputable agencies offer this due to tracking and accountability issues.
Average SEO Prices in Canada (2025)
| Service Type | Typical Cost (CAD) |
| Monthly Retainer (SMBs) | $800 – $3,500 / month |
| Hourly SEO Consulting | $70 – $180 / hour |
| One-Time SEO Project | $1,000 – $7,500+ |
| Enterprise SEO | $4,000 – $15,000+ / month |
Costs vary depending on city (e.g. Toronto vs. Calgary), industry competitiveness, and scope. E-commerce SEO, for example, tends to be on the higher end.
Our SEO Pricing
Although every project is unique, this pricing guide will help you prepare for your project. It’s important to note that there are too many options for web design and SEO to list every available price.
Please contact us to discuss your needs and get a firm quote.
| Service | Price (USD) | Price (CAD) |
| SEO support | від 500 USD | від 700 CAD |
| Technical SEO | від 400 USD | від 560 CAD |
| Comprehensive SEO audit | від 600 USD | від 840 CAD |
| SEO strategy development | від 450 USD | від 630 CAD |
| SEO consultation | 100 USD/hour | 140 CAD/hour |
Breakdown of Monthly SEO Costs
For a mid-level campaign, here’s a typical monthly cost structure:
Task Breakdown:
- Initial Consultation: 2 hours → $140–$360
- Keyword Research: 3 hours → $210–$540
- On-Page Optimization: 5 hours → $350–$900
- Technical SEO Work: 4 hours → $280–$720
Estimated Total Monthly Investment:
- Hours: ~14
- Total Cost: $980 – $2,520
This does not include content creation or link building, which are often priced separately.
What Factors Affect SEO Pricing in Canada?
- Business Type and Size
A national e-commerce site requires significantly more work than a local service provider. More products or service pages mean more content, technical fixes, and link-building work. - Competitiveness of Industry
SEO for real estate, law, or finance costs more due to high competition. Niches like industrial parts or local cleaning services have less intense SEO environments. - Current Website Status
A well-built site with good architecture requires less technical SEO. Sites with slow load times, crawl errors, and poor structure demand more initial work, increasing costs. - Goals and Timeline
Faster results require more aggressive strategies — more hours per month, more content, and potentially paid digital PR. A 3-month push to rank for a competitive term will cost more than a slow, steady approach over 12 months. - In-House vs. Outsourced Tasks
Some businesses handle content or development in-house. This reduces external SEO costs but may require internal training or consulting.
Content Costs in SEO
Content creation is one of the most resource-intensive parts of SEO. Here’s a breakdown of typical writing-related costs:
| Content Type | Price Range (CAD) |
| Blog Post (1000 words) | $100 – $300 |
| Landing Page Copy | $150 – $600 |
| Product Descriptions | $20 – $80 per product |
| SEO Content Strategy Plan | $500 – $1,500 (one-time) |
Many agencies bundle writing into retainers, while others charge separately. Ensure the price includes optimization (keywords, headers, metadata), not just plain text.
Link Building Costs in Canada
High-quality backlinks are still a key ranking factor. They are also one of the most expensive SEO components.
| Link Type | Cost Per Link (CAD) |
| Directory Listing | $30 – $100 |
| Guest Post (niche blog) | $150 – $500 |
| Outreach Link (authoritative) | $300 – $1,500+ |
| Digital PR / Brand Mention | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
If your SEO provider is offering dozens of backlinks at low cost, be cautious. Low-quality links can lead to penalties or drops in visibility.
Comparing DIY, Freelancer, and Agency SEO
| Option | Typical Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
| DIY SEO | ~$0–$200/month | Full control, minimal cost | Slow, prone to errors, steep learning curve |
| Freelancer | $500–$2,500/month | Flexible, affordable | Inconsistent quality, limited bandwidth |
| SEO Agency | $1,500–$10,000+ | Scalable, experienced team | Higher cost, risk of overpromising |
Red Flags When Hiring an SEO Provider
- Promises of instant rankings or “guaranteed results”
- No transparent pricing
- Vague reporting or no analytics setup
- Outsourcing everything to low-cost contractors
- Black-hat tactics (private blog networks, keyword stuffing)
A good agency will give a clear scope, explain the approach, and show historical results from similar industries.
How to Budget for SEO
A realistic SEO budget aligns with business goals. Here’s a rough guide based on business type:
| Business Type | Recommended Budget (CAD/month) |
| Local Business (1 city) | $800 – $2,000 |
| National Brand | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
| E-commerce | $3,000 – $10,000+ |
| Enterprise | $7,000 – $15,000+ |
Use revenue-based budgeting if possible:
SEO spend = 5–10% of expected annual revenue from organic traffic.
Final Thoughts
SEO in Canada is not cheap, but it pays off when executed correctly. Pricing varies widely based on goals, industry, and strategy. Avoid one-size-fits-all packages and look for transparency, flexibility, and clear KPIs.
When planning SEO expenses, consider content, tech fixes, link-building, and analytics as integral parts of the monthly investment — not optional add-ons.
