“How much does SEO cost?” is one of the first questions Wollongong business owners ask us. The honest answer: it depends on your industry, your competition and how many areas you want to rank in. Here’s how to think about it.
Typical SEO pricing in Australia
Most SEO agencies in Australia charge a monthly retainer. For small and medium businesses, that usually ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month.
- Local SEO for one location (for example, a plumber in Wollongong or a physio in Shellharbour) sits at the lower end.
- Multiple suburbs or services (Wollongong, Kiama, Dapto and Nowra, say) need more pages and more work.
- Competitive industries like law, real estate and finance cost more because the competition is stronger.
What you should get for your money
A good SEO agency in Wollongong should cover:
- Google Business Profile optimisation, so you show up in Google Maps.
- Local keyword research, finding what Illawarra customers actually type into Google.
- On-page SEO: page titles, headings and content for each service and area.
- Technical fixes, so your site is fast, mobile-friendly and easy for Google to read.
- Reviews and citations, to build trust with Google and AI tools like ChatGPT.
- Clear monthly reporting on rankings, calls and enquiries.
How long does SEO take?
Most local businesses see early movement in Google Maps within six to twelve weeks, and stronger rankings within three to six months. SEO is a long-term investment: the results keep building after the work is done.
SEO vs Google Ads
Google Ads can bring enquiries within days, but you pay for every click. SEO takes longer but brings free traffic month after month. Many Illawarra businesses use both: Google Ads for fast leads while SEO builds momentum.
Red flags to avoid
- Guaranteed top rankings
- Lock-in contracts of 12 months or more
- Reports full of jargon but no calls or enquiries
- No clear list of what they will do each month
Want to know what SEO would cost for your business? Book a free SEO audit with our Wollongong team.
Get a free SEO audit and a clear plan from our Wollongong team.