SEO news

What UK SEO costs in 2026: Whito’s figures

Whito’s 2026 pricing research gives two useful benchmarks for anyone budgeting for SEO in the UK.

Published 10 November 2026

Agency retainers

Whito’s research, based on agency rate cards and surveys from January to May 2026, puts single-channel agency retainers such as SEO at roughly £1,250 to £3,500 a month. It says SMEs should expect to start at around £1,000 to £2,000 a month for meaningful agency work.

Published prices

Whito also read 45 published UK SEO monthly prices in June 2026. The middle price was £799 a month, and half sat between about £410 and £1,500. That figure is lower because it includes entry-level packages.

How to use these numbers

They’re a sense check, not a rule. A small local firm doesn’t need a £3,000 retainer, and a national retailer won’t get far on a starter package. Our UK SEO cost guide explains what drives the price.

What drives the price

Whito’s research lists the things that move a quote up or down: where the agency is based, how big it is, how complex or regulated your industry is, the scope of work and the length of contract. It notes that London agencies charge noticeably more than regional ones for comparable work.

Questions to ask any SEO provider

What exactly do I get each month, and what costs extra?
Is there a minimum term or notice period?
Who owns the accounts, content and data if I leave?
How will you report progress, and how often?
Do you guarantee rankings? (If the answer is yes, be careful.)

Whito makes similar points about clear deliverables and account ownership in its own guidance.

Where AffordSEO sits

At £99 a month we’re well below both of Whito’s benchmarks. That’s because software does the routine checks and we don’t carry agency overheads. It also means there are things we don’t do, such as large outreach campaigns or website rebuilds, and our pricing page lists them.

How to compare quotes fairly

Put every quote on the same footing: the total over six or twelve months, including setup fees and any minimum term. A cheaper monthly price with a 12-month lock-in can cost more than a dearer rolling plan you can stop after three months.

Next step

Whichever provider you pick, ask for the scope in writing and a way to leave if it isn’t working. Our guides cover the basics in more detail, and you can send us an enquiry if you’d like us to look at your site.