same boat matt

Matt,

We're in the same boat as I'm starting up an SEO company but don't know what to charge. There are answers here in this forum if you dig just a little. You've probably already found them by now.

However the answers aren't what I had expected.

Perhaps we can help each other out and share info as we get started in this venture.

Charge a flat fee. I've never had much luck any other way.

$500 to do a prospectus, and tell them HOW they can improve their SEO optimization on their own within three months. Give specific, expected achievements within a three-month timeframe.

Then, tell them that if they like the prospectus but don't want to do the worrk themselves, they can hire you for a three month contract where you will carry out all the proposals set forth in the prospectus. It will cost them $XXX number of dollars @ YYY hours a week, so you can give them a total cost for the entire run.

Also, let them know that if they hire you to fulfill the objectives in the prospectus, they are required to pay at least 25% up-front, however the original $500 that they paid for the prospectus will be credited to them (in other words, if they hire you the prospectus becomes free).

Also, make sure to include in your contract that termination of services can only occur on the 30th and 60th days, so that they can't cut you off two weeks into the project. They should be willing to give you at least a month before they expect measurable results.

As far as what price to charge - well, that really depends on what you are doing to the site. If you can explain what needs to be done to your client's site(s), I can break down my normal fees more specifically.

Hi Chris (and anyone else...)

how do you qualify expected acheivements?

Easy example http://www.wt.co.nz

According to digitalpoint's tool Mark Withers ranks about #57 for his own site. Now, I've given him a free report because he's a mate on how to get to #1. At worst he should be at #23 because there's an actor called Mark Withers and that's always a bummer, only a porn star could be worse.

So, would you tell Mark he'd get to #1, #23 or somewhere else?

Sarah