How much does an SEO audit cost?

Find out more about the cost of an audit SEO. Discover the factors that influence rates and the benefits it brings to your online marketing strategy.

When it comes to improving the visibility and ranking of your website on the search enginesAn SEO audit can be an essential tool. But how much does it really cost to carry out an SEO audit? In this article, we present the different rates and prices associated with this service. Whether you're a small business or a large brand, you'll discover the factors that influence the cost of an SEO audit, as well as the undeniable benefits it can bring to your online marketing strategy.

What is an SEO audit?

SEO audit definition

An SEO audit is a comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of a website's SEO quality and performance. It's a process that aims to identify a website's strengths and weaknesses in terms of SEO, and provide recommendations for improving its visibility in search engines.

SEO audit objectives

The main objective of an SEO audit is to optimize a website in order to improve its search engine ranking. This means that an SEO audit aims to increase a website's visibility in search results, generate more organic traffic and improve the conversion of visitors into customers.

The importance of an SEO audit

Performing an SEO audit on a regular basis is essential to guarantee optimum website performance on search engines. It helps to identify potential problems that may affect a website's visibility, such as technical errors, content problems, overloading, etc. backlinks poor quality, etc. An SEO audit also helps you keep up to date with the latest algorithms to constantly evolve and adapt to industry best practices.

Factors influencing the price of an SEO audit

Website complexity

The complexity of a website is one of the key factors influencing the price of an SEO audit. The more complex a website is, with numerous pages, multiple sub-domains or sections, the longer the audit will take and the more effort will be required to examine all aspects of the site.

Website size

The size of the website is also an important criterion in determining the price of the SEO audit. A larger website will need more time to be audited in depth, and will require more resources to analyze every page and every element of the site.

Audit depth

The depth of the SEO audit plays a role in setting the price. Some audits may focus solely on specific aspects such as keyword analysis or backlinks, while others may be more exhaustive and include an in-depth evaluation of site structure, content, technical performance, etc.

SEO agency expertise

The competence and experience of the SEO agency carrying out the audit will have an impact on the price. Highly qualified and reputable SEO agencies can generally charge a higher price, as they offer in-depth expertise and knowledge in the field of SEO.

SEO agency reputation

The SEO agency's reputation can also influence the price of the audit. Well-established SEO agencies with a solid reputation in the industry may charge higher rates due to their track record of success and customer satisfaction.

The different types of SEO audit

Technical audit

The technical audit focuses on the technical aspects of the website, such as site structure, HTML tags, loading speed, mobile compatibility, crawl errors and so on. The aim of this audit is to identify and resolve any technical issues that may affect SEO and user experience.

Content audit

A content audit evaluates the quality and relevance of a website's content. This includes keyword analysis, content structure, search engine optimization, content duplication, etc. The aim of this audit is to ensure that content is of high quality and meets user expectations and search engine requirements.

Competition audit

Competitor auditing involves analyzing competitors' SEO strategies to identify opportunities and gaps. This includes analysis of keywords used by competitors, backlinks, content strategies, ranking positions, etc. This audit enables you to adjust your SEO strategy to better position your site in relation to the competition.

Backlinks audit

The backlink audit examines the incoming links to a website and assesses their quality and relevance. This includes analysis of backlink sources, link diversity, the presence of toxic or spammy backlinks, etc. The aim of this audit is to identify opportunities for improving backlinks and to ensure that the backlink profile complies with search engine guidelines.

Keyword audit

A keyword audit focuses on analyzing and optimizing the keywords used on a website. This includes identifying relevant keywords for the business area, assessing keyword competitiveness, optimizing keyword density, etc. This audit enables us to choose the most appropriate keywords to maximize the website's visibility in search results.

Average prices for an SEO audit

Low-end price

Low-end SEO audits can cost between €500 and €1,000. These audits are generally less in-depth and focus on specific aspects of SEO. They can be adapted for small websites with low complexity and do not require a detailed analysis of every page.

Mid-range price

Mid-range SEO audits can cost between €1,000 and €3,000. These audits offer a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the website, often including technical audits, content audits and competitor analysis. They are generally suitable for medium-sized websites or sites of moderate complexity.

High-end prices

High-end SEO audits can cost upwards of €3,000. These audits include an exhaustive analysis of all aspects of the website, including technical optimization, in-depth analysis of content, backlinks, keywords and more. They are generally suitable for large companies or websites with a high degree of complexity.

SEO audit pricing criteria

Hourly rates

Some SEO audits are billed by the hour, depending on the time spent by the SEO agency carrying out the analysis. The hourly price may vary according to the experience and reputation of the SEO agency. This pricing method is common for customized audits that require more time to complete.

Project-based pricing

Project-based pricing is a common method for SEO audits. In this case, the SEO agency sets a global price for the entire audit, taking into account the complexity and size of the website. This type of pricing is often used for standard audits that do not require a high level of customization.

Pricing based on website size

Some SEO service providers may charge according to the size of the website, i.e. the number of pages or URLs to be analyzed. The larger the website, the higher the price of the audit, due to the additional resources required to analyze all the pages and elements of the site.

Complexity-based pricing

Complexity-based pricing takes into account the technical or structural difficulty of a website. Some SEO agencies may charge a higher price for websites with advanced functionality, complex structures or multiple sub-domains, due to the extra effort required to analyze all aspects of the site.

Services included in an SEO audit

Website structure analysis

Website structure analysis helps determine whether the site is well organized and whether all pages are accessible to search engines. This includes examining site architecture, internal links, header tags, URLs, etc.

Keyword analysis

Keyword analysis involves determining which keywords are relevant to the website and identifying opportunities for optimization. This includes researching keywords, assessing their competitiveness, creating keyword groups, etc.

Competitor analysis

Competitor analysis enables us to understand the strategies used by our competitors and identify opportunities for improvement. This includes analyzing the keywords and backlinks used by competitors, evaluating their performance, etc.

Backlink analysis

Backlink analysis involves assessing the quality of incoming links to your website. This includes looking for toxic backlinks, assessing link diversity, identifying backlink creation opportunities, etc.

SEO recommendations

SEO recommendations provide advice and strategies for improving website SEO. This can include suggestions for optimizing content, improving site structure, strengthening the backlink profile, etc.

The benefits of a professional SEO audit

Search engine optimization

A professional SEO audit identifies a website's weak points in terms of search engine optimization and proposes solutions to improve them. This helps optimize the site to gain visibility on search engines and attract qualified organic traffic.

Improved search engine visibility

By identifying optimization opportunities and implementing the recommendations of a professional SEO audit, a website's visibility in search results can be significantly improved. This increases the number of clicks and attracts more qualified visitors.

Increased organic traffic

A professional SEO audit can help increase a website's organic traffic by optimizing its structure, content and technical elements. This helps attract more visitors without having to resort to paid advertising strategies.

Identifying technical problems

A professional SEO audit detects and resolves technical problems that can affect a website's performance. These include crawl errors, 404 pages, accessibility problems, loading speed, etc.

Conversion rate optimization

A professional SEO audit can also help optimize a website's conversion rate by identifying potential obstacles to conversion and proposing solutions to overcome them. This helps to increase the number of visitors who become customers or leads.

Free alternatives to a paid SEO audit

Online analysis tools

There are many free online analysis tools that can provide basic information on a website's technical aspects, keywords and backlinks. These tools can be useful for getting an initial idea of a site's general health, but they are no substitute for a professional SEO audit.

SEO Guide

There are many free SEO guides available online that provide tips and best practices for improving a website's SEO. These guides can be a useful resource for website owners wishing to learn more about SEO and implement basic strategies.

Online forums and communities

There are many online communities and forums dedicated to SEO where website owners can ask questions, get advice and share experiences. These platforms can be a valuable source of information and exchange.

Manual analysis

A free alternative to a paid SEO audit is to carry out a manual analysis of the website. This involves reviewing each page of the site and evaluating aspects such as structure, content, keywords, backlinks, etc. Although this approach can be laborious, it can provide valuable insights into optimization opportunities.

Common mistakes to avoid during an SEO audit

Rely solely on automated tools

Although automated tools can provide valuable information, they cannot replace an in-depth, personalized analysis carried out by an SEO expert. It's important not to rely solely on machine-generated results, and to take into account the context and specificity of each website.

Ignoring competitive analysis

Competitive analysis is essential for understanding the competitive landscape and identifying opportunities for improvement. Ignoring this analysis can lead to ineffective SEO strategies and a lack of competitive advantage.

Neglecting content optimization

Quality content is one of the most important factors in search engine optimization. Neglecting content optimization can lead to a drop in search engine visibility. Regular content analysis and optimization is essential to ensure optimal performance.

Making adjustments too frequently

SEO is a long-term process that takes time to achieve results. Making frequent adjustments too quickly can make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies put in place. It's important to give each change enough time before making new ones.

Do not follow recommendations

An SEO audit provides precise recommendations for improving a website's performance. Failure to follow these recommendations can limit the results of an audit and make it difficult to achieve the objectives set. It is essential to implement the recommendations to maximize the chances of success.

How to choose an agency for an SEO audit?

Evaluate agency experience and portfolio

It's essential to check the agency's SEO audit experience and consult its portfolio to assess the quality of its previous work. Agencies with proven expertise and experience are more likely to deliver high-quality services.

View testimonials and customer references

Customer testimonials and references can provide valuable information about the satisfaction of past clients and the quality of the agency's work. It is advisable to consult these elements to get an idea of the agency's reputation and reliability.

Request samples of previous audits

Requesting samples of previous audits carried out by the agency can help assess the quality of their work and their approach to analysis. It also ensures that the agency is able to deliver concrete results and precise recommendations.

Check certifications and qualifications

It's important to check the SEO agency's certifications and qualifications to make sure it has the skills and know-how to carry out a quality SEO audit. Certifications such as Google Analytics or Google AdWords are a good indicator of an agency's competence.

Discuss method and transparency

It's crucial to discuss with the agency its SEO audit method and its transparency in the process. An agency that clearly explains its audit steps and is transparent in its communication is more likely to provide a reliable and comprehensive audit.