Quick answer: Most small to mid-sized Metro Detroit B2B and service companies pay $1,000 to $3,000 per month for SEO. My retainers start at $1,500/month, billed month-to-month, no long-term contract. What you pay depends on keyword competition, how much your site needs, and who actually does the work.
What drives the price?
Three things move the number. First, competition: ranking for "Detroit SEO company" is harder than ranking for a niche industrial keyword, so it costs more. Second, the state of your site: a fast, well-built site needs less repair than a slow, dated one. Third, scope: one location and a handful of keywords costs less than a multi-city campaign. A good consultant scopes the work to your goals instead of selling a one-size package.
Why is a solo consultant often cheaper than an agency?
Here's the arithmetic that matters. A $3,000 retainer at a large agency pays for office rent, a sales team, account managers, and junior staff before anyone touches your site. The same $3,000 with a senior consultant pays for the work itself. You're not cheaper because the work is worth less. You're cheaper because there's no overhead in the middle. You also get the person doing the work, not a coordinator relaying messages.
What should be included?
At a minimum, a real SEO engagement covers technical fixes, keyword and competitor research, on-page optimization, local SEO if you serve an area, content, and monthly reporting tied to rankings and leads. If a quote doesn't spell out what's included, that's a red flag. See my full pricing for exactly what each plan covers.
Want a number for your specific situation? Book a free consult and I'll give you a straight quote based on your market and goals, not a canned package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SEO cost in Metro Detroit?
Typically $1,000 to $3,000/month for small to mid-sized B2B and service companies. My retainers start at $1,500/month, month-to-month. See pricing.
Why do SEO prices vary so much?
Keyword competition, how much work your site needs, how many locations you target, and who does the work. Agency retainers carry overhead a solo consultant doesn't.
Is cheap SEO worth it?
Usually not. Very cheap SEO often means automated links and thin content that can hurt you. Ask what's included and who performs it.
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