How Much Does an SEO Audit Cost?
You may have heard about SEO audits as a business owner, marketer, or a site manager. They are an important part of enhancing your online presence, but one of the most common questions people have is how much does an SEO audit cost?
The answer isn’t always simple. Depending on several factors that include the depth of the audit, who conducts it, and the size of your site, it can vary between zero and more than 10,000 dollars.
In this guide, we will compare the types of SEO audits, what factors contribute to the cost, and what you should expect to receive in exchange.
What Is an SEO Audit?
But what is an SEO audit? Let us shed some light on it before moving on to the pricing.
An SEO audit is the overall examination of the performance of your site on search engines. It reveals technical problems, on-page issues, the quality of backlinks, content gaps, and others.
A correctly executed audit will provide you with an honest look at what works, what does not, and how to make it right so that your site can rank higher in Google and other search engines.
Types of SEO Audits
There are various types of SEO audits, and each targets a particular aspect of your web site. The nature of the audit you settle on has a great influence on the costs.
Technical SEO Audit
Focuses on backend elements like:
- Site speed
- Mobile-friendliness
- Crawlability
- Indexing issues
- XML sitemaps
On-Page SEO Audit
Analyzes individual pages, looking at:
- Title tags
- Meta descriptions
- Headings
- Keyword usage
- Internal linking
Off-Page SEO Audit
Examines:
- Backlink profiles
- Domain authority
- Social signals
- Brand mentions
Local SEO Audit
Ideal for businesses serving specific geographic areas.
It checks:
- Google Business Profile setup
- Local citations
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency
- Reviews
Full SEO Audit
A comprehensive audit covering all the above aspects. This is the most thorough—and typically the most expensive—option.
How Much Does an SEO Audit Cost?
Let’s get into the numbers. Here is a look at what the cost of an SEO audit can be in the U.S.
| Type of SEO Audit | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Free Tools (DIY) | $0 |
| Basic Automated Audit | $100 – $500 |
| Manual Audit (Freelancer) | $500 – $2,000 |
| Agency Audit (Mid-Level) | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Enterprise-Level Audit | $5,000 – $15,000+ |
Free SEO Audits
There are free audits in some tools, such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest. These are however automated and surface level, and are good only in providing a general overview but not in-depth.
Great for:
- Personal blogs
- Very small websites
- Beginners testing the waters
Low-Cost / Automated Audits ($100 – $500)
These are usually delivered via software or SEO platforms. You receive a PDF report with technical findings but usually no practical analysis and recommendations.
Best for:
- Small businesses
- DIY marketers
- Those on a tight budget
Freelancer Audits ($500 – $2,000)
A freelance SEO practitioner will be able to do a more specific audit.
These typically include:
- Manual analysis
- Actionable insights
- Some follow-up consultation
Best for:
- Startups
- Local businesses
- Websites with moderate traffic
SEO Agency Audits ($2,000 – $5,000)
Agencies are the team-oriented solution with the combination of instruments and human knowledge.
You usually receive:
- A comprehensive report
- Strategy session(s)
- Prioritized action plan
Ideal for:
- Growing businesses
- eCommerce websites
- Content-heavy websites
Enterprise SEO Audits ($5,000 – $15,000+)
These are deep-dive audits that include:
- Advanced technical analysis
- Server and CDN diagnostics
- Detailed competitor research
- Custom strategies for large or international websites
Best for:
- Large corporations
- Multi-location businesses
- High-traffic platforms
Factors That Influence SEO Audit Costs
The cost of an SEO audit depends on a number of variables:
Website Size
Larger sites require more time and tools to audit. A 10-page site is a lot easier to examine than a 10,000-page online shop.
Audit Depth
Do you want a quick technical analysis or a complete SEO audit including keyword and competitor analysis? The deeper the dive, the higher the cost.
Service Provider
Agencies are normally more expensive than freelancers, but they provide more resources and collaboration with a team. Experience and reputation also play a role.
Tools Used
High-quality SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog) can be very expensive and are usually included in the price of your audit.
Reporting & Follow-Up
Some audits are just a data dump. Others are action plans, priority levels, estimated timelines, and even post-audit consultation.
What Should Be Included in a Good SEO Audit?
No matter the cost, a good SEO audit must consist of:
- Technical Overview: Indexing, crawl errors, site speed, mobile usability.
- On-Page SEO Review: Metadata, headings, keyword use, image optimization.
- Content Analysis: Thin content, duplicate content, content gaps.
- Backlink Profile: Toxic links, lost links, anchor text distribution.
- Competitor Comparison: Benchmarking against similar websites.
- Actionable Recommendations: Specific tasks to improve rankings.
Extra points in case the provider prioritizes fixes (critical vs. minor), and provides guidance on implementation.
Is an SEO Audit Worth the Cost?
Absolutely—if it’s done right. A good SEO audit can:
- Identify hidden issues dragging down your rankings
- Improve user experience and site performance
- Help you outrank competitors
- Increase organic traffic and conversions
Consider it a cost of investment and not of expense. An in-depth audit that costs you $2,000 may cost you tens of thousands in additional revenue should it improve your SEO.
Bill Yeager, Co-Owner of High Point SEO & Marketing in CT
