When it comes to understanding how much a full technical SEO audit costs, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Prices can range anywhere from $500 to over $30,000 for large enterprise websites. The cost is heavily dependent on the scope and size of the website, the complexity of the issues, the goals of the audit, the expertise of the SEO doing the audit, and the level of detail required. Now let’s dive into a more in-depth exploration of these components and what they mean for the cost of a full technical SEO audit.
Understanding Technical SEO Audits
Technical SEO is a critical part of ensuring that your website is optimized for search engine algorithms, which in turn helps improve your site’s visibility in search results. A technical SEO audit is an inspection of your website’s technical health, looking at factors like site architecture, URL structure, speed performance, security, mobile-friendliness, and more.
Scope of Technical SEO Audits
The scope of the audit will significantly affect the cost. A smaller website with a few pages will naturally require less effort to audit compared to a large e-commerce site with thousands of products. What’s more, the complexity of the website’s technology stack can also amplify the effort. A website built on a simple content management system (CMS) will typically be less costly to audit than one with a custom-built CMS or a mix of technologies.
Factors Influencing the Cost of a Technical SEO Audit
Several factors come into play when pricing a technical SEO audit. Let’s look at each one in more detail.
The Size and Complexity of the Website
The number of pages, the range of content types and features, and the technical infrastructure can all add layers of complexity to an audit. More pages mean more templates, more code, more potential for error—and therefore, more time required for a comprehensive audit.
Expertise and Reputation of the SEO Professional
An auditor’s level of experience and industry reputation can also drive up the cost. SEO professionals or agencies with a track record of successful audits and improvements may charge a premium for their services. You are paying not only for their time but also for their expertise and the value they bring in identifying issues that less experienced auditors might miss.
Depth and Detail of the Audit
A high-level audit that just scratches the surface and gives broad recommendations will cost less than an audit that goes into meticulous detail. If you’re looking for a comprehensive document that outlines specific technical issues, step-by-step solutions, and strategic insight, you should expect to invest more.
The Goals of the Audit
Are you looking for a general health check, or are you aiming to solve specific problems such as a sudden drop in traffic or poor mobile usability? The more focused and goal-oriented the audit needs to be, the more tailored the approach—and the higher the potential cost.
Breakdown of Technical SEO Audit Costs
Let’s breakdown the potential costs you might encounter when seeking a technical SEO audit.
DIY Technical SEO Audits
For those with SEO knowledge, conducting a basic audit using free or low-cost tools can be a budget-friendly option. However, this doesn’t replace the depth of knowledge an expert can offer, but it can help identify some surface-level issues.
Freelancer Rates
Freelancers might offer audits at rates ranging from $500 to $10,000, depending on their expertise and the audit’s scope. Be sure to check their references and past work to ensure they can handle the complexities of your site.
Agency Costs
SEO agencies offer a more comprehensive service and support but at higher rates ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 or more. Agencies often have specialists who handle different aspects of the audit collectively, which can provide a more thorough analysis.
Enterprise-level Audits
Large corporations with highly complex websites or those operating in competitive industries might require more detailed audits with a strategic focus. These can be the most expensive, but for a large enterprise, the investment correlates to the potential revenue at stake.
What Can You Expect From a Technical SEO Audit?
Regardless of who conducts your audit, it should provide a clear picture of any technical issues that may be hindering your website’s performance. This includes looking at site structure, crawlability, indexing, mobile usability, website speed, security, duplicate content issues, internal linking, and more. The auditor should not only identify issues but also prioritize them and offer solutions or recommendations for fixing them.
Ensuring You Get Value for Your Investment
When investing in a technical SEO audit, ensure you’re clear about your objectives, and choose an auditor whose expertise aligns with your needs. As with most services, cheaper isn’t always better. The goal is to find an audit service that strikes a balance between cost-effectiveness and thoroughness.
Questions to Ask Prospective Auditors
1. What is included in your technical SEO audit?
2. How will you prioritize the issues you find?
3. Can you give examples of past audits and the outcomes?
4. How do you stay updated with the latest SEO best practices and algorithm changes?
Ensuring the audit company or auditor you choose is transparent about their process and willing to communicate effectively throughout the audit is crucial. It’s also helpful to have them walk through the audit report with you to ensure you fully understand their findings and recommendations.
Finishing Thoughts
A full technical SEO audit uncovers the root causes of diminishing search engine rankings and traffic. It can be considered an investment in the foundation of your website’s long-term success in organic search. While the price can vary dramatically based on size, scope, complexity, and the service provider’s expertise, the cost must also translate into actionable insights that, when implemented, lead to measurable improvements. As you seek out a technical SEO audit, consider the value of expert recommendations and weigh them against the potential ROI for your business. Ultimately, the right investment in a quality technical SEO audit can lead to improved search rankings, better user experiences, and increased revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a full technical SEO audit?
A full technical SEO audit is a comprehensive examination of a website’s technical health as it relates to its ability to be crawled and indexed effectively by search engines. The audit includes an assessment of the website’s technical infrastructure, such as site speed, security, mobile-friendliness, URL structure, internal linking, sitemaps, and more.
Why do I need a technical SEO audit?
A technical SEO audit is essential for identifying and fixing issues that may be hindering your website’s performance in search engine rankings. It can reveal problems that are not immediately apparent but could be impacting user experience and reducing your site’s ability to rank well for relevant search queries.
How often should I conduct a technical SEO audit?
The frequency of technical SEO audits can vary depending on the size of your website, how often you make changes to it, and if you’ve noticed significant changes in your search engine rankings. Generally, it’s recommended to perform a full technical SEO audit at least once a year. However, for larger sites or those under active development, quarterly or even monthly audits may be beneficial.
How much does a full technical SEO audit cost?
The cost of a full technical SEO audit can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of your website, the depth of the audit, and the expertise of the SEO professional or agency conducting the audit. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. It’s important to get a clear understanding of what is included in the audit before committing to a service provider.
Can I perform a technical SEO audit myself?
Yes, it’s possible to conduct a basic technical SEO audit yourself using various online tools and resources. However, for a full and thorough audit, it’s often beneficial to hire an SEO professional or agency that specializes in technical SEO. They will have the expertise and tools necessary to uncover deeper issues and provide actionable recommendations.
What tools are used during a technical SEO audit?
SEO professionals use a range of tools during a technical SEO audit. Some popular ones include Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Screaming Frog SEO Spider, Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush. These tools help to analyze various aspects of a website’s technical performance and identify areas for improvement.
What should I expect to receive at the end of a technical SEO audit?
At the end of a technical SEO audit, you should expect to receive a detailed report that outlines the findings, including any issues or errors discovered. The report should also provide prioritized recommendations for fixing the issues along with an explanation of their potential impact on your site’s SEO performance.
How long does a full technical SEO audit take to complete?
The length of time it takes to complete a full technical SEO audit can vary greatly depending on the size of the website and the scope of the audit. For small to medium-sized websites, an audit could take a few days to a couple of weeks. For larger websites with thousands of pages, it could take several weeks to a few months.
Will implementing the recommendations from a technical SEO audit guarantee improved rankings?
While implementing the recommendations from a technical SEO audit can improve your site’s technical health and its ability to be indexed and ranked by search engines, there are no guarantees in SEO. Search engine algorithms take hundreds of factors into account, so increased rankings can often depend on both on-page and off-page SEO efforts, as well as the competitive landscape in your industry.
