Affordable Search Engine Ranking: 7 AMAZING Affordable SEO Agencies

Implementing optimization tactics and strategies through affordable SEO services efficiently enhances a website’s online presence and boosts its visibility on search engine results pages.

At Blue Things, it took us 4 years to increase influencer marketing platform inBeat’s search traffic from 500 to 300k visitors per month, bringing $4,000,000 in pipeline value.

Here’s what their Ahrefs stats look like now:

Notice how the graph shows sustainable growth.

We used affordable search engine ranking strategies, such as HARO, relationship link-building, and low-hanging fruit keywords.

And you can get the same results, even if it feels like you’ll never find a high-quality, affordable SEO service.

We’ll use our expertise to discuss:

A carefully curated list of the top 7 affordable search engine ranking agencies
Unique features that set each agency apart
Actionable advice to pick an affordable SEO service instead of a low-quality one
Insider tips, stories, and comments from a real SEO agency

Keep reading to unlock the secrets of cost-effective SEO.

TL;DR: Top Affordable SEO Agencies

Blue Things: Offers affordable, high-quality SEO with a focus on sustainable strategies and customized pricing.
Appnet: Specializes in content optimization and mobile-friendly sites, with a 100% search engine ranking guarantee.
CAE Marketing & Consulting: Experienced in cost-efficient, flexible SEO packages, with a focus on lead generation and no-contract flexibility.
The Search Initiative: Led by Matt Diggity, known for technical SEO and substantial traffic increases, but at a higher cost.
Jump To 1: Provides adaptable SEO strategies with a high client retention rate and comprehensive packages, emphasizing tangible results.
Rank Magic: Focuses on small business SEO, especially in local SEO, with a long history and personalized support. Less suitable for larger businesses.
SEO Discovery Private LTD: Specializes in small business SEO with a comprehensive range of services including local SEO, paid marketing, and web development. Offers results-driven solutions but may lack a narrow focus on SEO.

Cheap SEO vs Affordable SEO: How Much Should You Pay for SEO?

Cheap SEO services can be found at $100 per month on Craigslist. Fiverr freelancers promise keyword strategies for $20. And we’ve seen so-called link-builders on LinkedIn selling links for $5 a piece.

That’s not great search engine optimization.

Statistics show that affordable yet high-quality SEO prices are at least $75/ hour and $500-$1,500 for a monthly retainer.

In fact, most small businesses have an SEO budget of around $500 or less per month.

However, it’s important to:

Consider this payment a long-term investment in growing your business.
Pick an affordable SEO agency that knows how to prioritize high-quality SEO techniques.

That brings us to the next point.

Top 7 Affordable Search Engine Ranking Agencies

Let’s jump straight into it with the agencies you should consider.

1. Blue Things: Best Overall

That’s us.

And we already shared a few case studies.

Blue Things has many advantages if you’re looking for affordable SEO, such as:

We know how to prioritize: We love data and research. We’ll zero in on the most proficient SEO strategies, prioritizing high-quality yet affordable and sustainable techniques according to your goals. For example, relationship link-building and including low-hanging keywords in your content marketing strategy will help you rank faster and better in the long term with a limited budget. And so will building free tools and creating traffic around them.
We use quality tools: We invest in high-quality SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to conduct in-depth competitor analysis and SEO audits. Besides, our expert SEOs constantly educate themselves and build relationships to learn about new SEO techniques that increase organic visibility and quality traffic.
We test our plans constantly: We don’t just identify SEO strategies that work. We monitor and test our SEO efforts continuously to optimize the highest-performing strategies. We then double down on them to help you reach your SEO goals faster.
We have different pricing plans: We’ll set a free strategy call to understand your search ranking needs. Then, we’ll decide on the best tactics to get you there – whether that’s keyword research and content planning, link-building, or full SEO management.

So, why choose us?

We have a track record of success with many clients, including inBeat, iWave, Arielle, Hurom, and Deux par Deux.
Our team is constantly learning and building relationships with content creators across industries.
We can scale your content production and link-building strategy, while overseeing your entire SEO efforts.

2. Appnet: Best for High-Quality Content at Scale

Appnet’s approach is particularly suited if you value upfront planning, clear communication, and a comprehensive content strategy.

We analyzed their offer with a critical eye, and we discovered these benefits:

Content matching and optimization: They focus on aligning your website’s content with relevant search terms. Appnet ensures your valuable content resonates with what your target audience is searching for on platforms like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. That’s how they boost your website’s search engine visibility and relevance. Remember, content that matches search intent is critical for ranking.
Expert consultation and transparency: You’re not just getting SEO services; you’re also receiving specialist consultation. Appnet prides itself on transparent communication, showing you what content is needed and the expected costs. They’ll even show proof of their strategy’s effectiveness, ensuring you’re well-informed and confident in their approach.
Mobile-friendly focus: In today’s digital landscape, having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable for good SEO. Appnet ensures your website is optimized for mobile devices, a critical factor in search engine rankings.
Authority building through backlinks: They understand the importance of off-page SEO in signaling your website’s authority and trustworthiness. Appnet can help build these crucial links, enhancing your site’s credibility in the eyes of search engines.

Here’s their competitive edge:

Appnet offers a 100% search engine ranking guarantee.

This affordable SEO agency stands behind its work with a bold promise. If they agree on a strategy they believe will achieve top rankings, they commit to working until those rankings are reached at no additional cost to you.

But here’s what we didn’t really appreciate:

Appnet emphasizes a one-time, strategic approach to SEO. This means you invest once in a comprehensive plan tailored to your needs, avoiding the trap of continuous spending.

However, while you elude the burden of recurring fees, SEO plans must adapt according to changing data.

Here’s a tiny example from Blue Things' experience.

When we first worked with the influencer platform inBeat, we picked target keywords with low competitive density. After the website’s search ranking increased, we started focusing on more competitive search terms, moving from long-tail keywords to short-tail keywords.

3. CAE Marketing & Consulting: Data-Driven Digital Marketing Agency

Working with CAE Marketing offers several compelling advantages for your small business’s SEO needs:

Experienced and cost-efficient: With over 16 years of digital marketing expertise, CAE Marketing combines the knowledge of larger firms with lower overheads.
Lead generation focused: They understand the importance of transforming your website into a lead-generating tool, ensuring a more effective return on your SEO investment.
Flexible packages: Their SEO services are designed to be budget-friendly. Their national packages start at $799/month, while their local SEO packages start at $399/month.
No contract flexibility: Their no-contract policy underlines a commitment to client satisfaction and results, offering you the flexibility and confidence to choose performance-based services.
Custom web design services: Beyond SEO, CAE Marketing also provides affordable, world-class custom web design, ensuring your small business website is optimized for search engines and user-friendly.

Those are all great features, but here’s something we didn’t appreciate.

CAE Marketing has fixed starting prices for local and national SEO.

At Blue Things, we value personalization.

In your case, affordable SEO may cost $139,15 per month. In someone else’s case, the reasonable price range may be higher because they may need more affordable SEO techniques in their SEO mix.

Insider tip: That’s why we believe it’s important to set a discovery call first.

We’ll look at your current SEO situation, assess your goals, and only then discuss a fair, customized price.

4. The Search Initiative: Solid for Technical SEO Services

Choosing The Search Initiative Agency for your SEO needs offers several distinct advantages:

Expertise led by Matt Diggity: Managed by Matt Diggity’s team of world-class SEOs, the agency brings top-tier knowledge to your project. You’ll benefit from strategies crafted by leaders in the field, ensuring cutting-edge tactics are applied to your website.
Substantial traffic increase: Their commitment to increasing website traffic is evident, with clients experiencing up to 91x traffic boosts. In fact, the Search Initiative specifically claims they increase traffic by an average of 110% across clients. This level of growth can be transformative for your business, driving both visibility and sales.
Focus on technical SEO: Praised for their strong emphasis on technical SEO, the agency ensures your website’s technical health is optimized for top performance in search rankings. This approach is crucial for long-term, sustainable online success.
Proven results and testimonials: With numerous positive testimonials and case studies, The Search Initiative demonstrates a consistent track record of delivering results, particularly in challenging cases.
Comprehensive services: They offer a wide range of services, from full-service SEO to penalty removal and reputation management. This versatility means they can address diverse SEO challenges and objectives effectively.
Client-centric approach: Their commitment to understanding and meeting your specific needs ensures a tailored approach to SEO. This focus on client satisfaction is key to their success and yours.

Here’s the downside:

Although The Search Initiative has affordable pricing plans, they’re in the high affordability range.

But if you like them, schedule a strategy call, and they’ll tell you what you can expect price-wise.

5. Jump To 1: Comprehensive SEO Services

Jump To 1 stands out as an excellent choice for affordable SEO services because:

It’s adaptable: It can tailor its strategies to suit your target market, helping you establish a strong presence in specific geographical areas or across broader regions.
It has high client retention: With over 1,500 global clients and a 93% client retention rate, its track record speaks to its ability to deliver consistent, satisfactory results.
You get comprehensive SEO packages: Jump To 1 offers various pricing plans catering to different business sizes and needs, from basic to premium options. This range ensures that you can find an affordable SEO package that fits your budget without compromising the quality of SEO strategies.
Expertise in diverse SEO aspects: Their services cover a wide array of SEO aspects, including technical SEO, content writing, link building, and local SEO. This comprehensive approach ensures that all facets of your website’s SEO needs are addressed effectively.

What we didn’t really appreciate is their guaranteed sales and traffic increase.

Jump To 1 promises to enhance your website’s traffic and significantly boost sales, maximizing your return on investment.

This guarantee may indicate a strong focus on tangible results directly impacting your business’s bottom line.

However, there are no guarantees in SEO.

6. Rank Magic: Solid for Local Small Businesses

Rank Magic presents itself as a valuable choice for small businesses seeking SEO services, particularly for those in New Jersey and across the nation. Here are some key advantages of choosing Rank Magic for your small business SEO needs:

Specialized in small business SEO: Rank Magic focuses on small and very small businesses, offering tailored SEO strategies that enable these businesses to compete effectively with larger, more established companies in search results.
Local SEO expertise: Their specialization in local SEO helps businesses looking to improve their visibility in local search listings. This can be an advantage if you want to attract local customers and build a strong community presence.
Long-standing experience: With a history dating back to 2001, Rank Magic has a proven track record in the SEO industry. This extensive experience means they have a deep understanding of the evolving nature of search engine algorithms and effective SEO strategies.
Personalized consultation and support: Rank Magic emphasizes customized consultation and support, as evidenced by their client interactions. They value educating and guiding clients through the process instead of focusing purely on strategy.

Conversely, Rank Magic may not be awesome if you have a larger business and still want high-quality, affordable SEO.

And since they work with local businesses, they may not understand the SEO complexities of SaaS and B2B.

7. SEO Discovery Private LTD: Solid Small Business SEO and Digital Marketing

SEO Discovery Private Limited might be the right fit for your small business because:

Expertise in small business SEO: SEO Discovery specializes in catering to the unique needs of small businesses. Their tailored approach to SEO means your business will receive strategies specifically designed to improve your online visibility and search rankings.
Results-driven solutions: With a commitment to delivering results, SEO Discovery focuses on driving organic traffic and achieving higher rankings on major search engines. We at Blue Things also value this results-driven approach because it ensures your SEO efforts align with your business goals. Basically, you can aim for measurable success.
Comprehensive service offering: Beyond traditional SEO, they offer a range of services, including local SEO, paid marketing, social media marketing, content writing, reputation management, and web development. This comprehensive suite of services allows for a more integrated and holistic digital marketing strategy.

As an SEO agency, we can appreciate that SEO Discovery has many other digital marketing services.

SEO doesn’t work in a vacuum – it correlates with your entire digital presence.

This can also be a problem.

Having an agency to manage all aspects of your digital marketing can ensure a more comprehensive approach. But it can also signal the agency doesn’t specialize in SEO.

By contrast, at Blue Things, we only focus on SEO, so we constantly learn and hone our SEO techniques to offer more affordable services.

How to Choose a Solid & Affordable Search Ranking Agency [And AVOID a Low-Quality One]

We advise our clients looking for an affordable SEO service that doesn’t compromise on quality to consider these factors:

Customized budget options: Look for agencies that offer flexible pricing plans. That’s your first clue toward their willingness to work with clients of varying sizes and financial capabilities. An agency providing such options is also likely to deliver value-for-money services.
Quality of SEO tools and technologies: Investigate the agency’s tools and technologies. Affordable agencies can still access top-tier SEO tools for effective campaign management. For example, we use Ahrefs and SEMrush instead of compromising for lower quality keyword research tools like WriterZEN. This ensures you’re not missing out on high-end resources despite a lower cost.
Depth of SEO expertise: Assess their SEO knowledge and skills depth. An affordable agency with a team of seasoned SEO experts can offer high-quality services. Their expertise often translates into more strategic and impactful SEO efforts. Our team at Blue Things has years of experience in the field, so they know how to prioritize more affordable yet solid SEO techniques.
Transparent reporting and analytics: Transparency in showing tangible results and progress is a sign of a trustworthy, quality-driven SEO partner. It also helps track your investment’s return and prioritize the SEO tactics that bring more revenue.
Positive client outcomes, not just testimonials: Beyond testimonials, look for case studies or examples of positive outcomes they’ve achieved for clients. Success stories with tangible results reflect an agency’s ability to deliver quality services, regardless of their pricing. We already told you about inBeat, but we have many such success cases – for instance, we grew Content Allies’ top-line revenue by $2,000,000, reaching +60% in enterprise SQLs.

‍Here are key indicators that an agency may not provide the quality of service you need:

Guaranteed quick results: SEO is a long-term strategy, and agencies promising instant results are often misleading. Quick fixes can involve unethical practices that might harm your site’s ranking in the long run. Trustworthy agencies set realistic expectations.
Lack of transparency and reporting: If an agency is not open about its strategies and does not provide detailed reports on its activities and results, it’s a red flag.
One-size-fits-all approach: SEO must be tailored to each business’s unique needs. If an agency uses a generic strategy for all clients, it’s unlikely they’ll achieve optimal results for your situation.
Poor communication: An agency that is difficult to reach, does not respond promptly, or fails to communicate clearly can indicate poor service quality.
Use of black-hat SEO techniques: Some agencies employ unethical practices like keyword stuffing, cloaking, or using private link networks. These black-hat SEO tactics can create a short-term spike in rankings but will lead to penalties from search engines, including being blacklisted.
Lack of case studies or references: A lack of proven success stories or reluctance to provide references from past clients can indicate a lack of experience or poor performance.
Incredibly low pricing: While affordable services are desirable, prices that seem too good to be true are a sign of low-quality services because the agency cuts corners or outsources key tasks to unqualified personnel.

Which Affordable SEO Service Should You Pick?

As you can see, there are many affordable SEO companies on the market.

Some are best for local SEO, optimizing your Google Business Profile for best results. Others enhance your entire online marketing strategy.

Blue Things stands out as the best overall – and not just because it’s our agency.

We have highly capable yet humble SEOs who constantly hone their techniques and relationships.
Our track record of success speaks for itself.
We develop high-quality, sustainable, and adaptable SEO plans. And then, we can prioritize the strategies in that plan according to your budget.

Want to find out more? Let’s schedule a free strategy call and see what we can do for your brand.