SEO Monthly Retainer: Benefits of Being on a Retainer

Author: Emulent Team Insights: Enterprise SEO Updated: July 8, 2024 Reading Time: 5 min

Jump to a section:

While there are various approaches to implementing SEO strategies, the one effective and sustainable method that we use is opting for an SEO monthly retainer. An SEO retainer is a agreement between a business and an SEO agency or professional, designed to provide ongoing SEO services to improve and maintain the client’s website performance.

We don’t do long term contracts, and believe we should be proving our value each month.

Benefits of an SEO Retainer

1. Consistent SEO Efforts

SEO is not a one-time task but an ongoing process that requires regular updates and adjustments. An SEO monthly retainer ensures that your website receives continuous attention and optimization. With a retainer, we systematically monitor, analyze, and refine your SEO strategies to adapt to changing algorithms and market trends, ensuring that your website remains competitive and visible.

2. Proactive Strategy Adjustments

Being on an SEO retainer allows for proactive adjustments to your strategies. We can quickly respond to algorithm updates, implementing necessary changes to maintain or improve your website’s rankings. This proactive approach helps prevent significant drops in traffic and ensures that your SEO strategy remains effective.

3. Comprehensive SEO Services

An SEO monthly retainer typically includes a wide range of services beyond basic optimization. These include keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, content creation, link building, technical SEO, and more. Having a comprehensive SEO package under a retainer ensures that all aspects of your website’s SEO are covered, leading to more holistic and effective results.

4. Cost-Effective Solution

While the upfront cost of an SEO retainer might seem significant, we find its more cost-effective in the long run. Our retainer clients usually receive discounted rates compared to one-time projects or hourly work. Additionally, the consistent improvements and maintenance provided by a retainer can lead to better ROI, as your website will continuously attract and convert organic traffic.

5. Access to Expertise and Resources

When you hire an SEO agency such as Emulent on a retainer basis, you gain access to our team of experts with diverse skills and knowledge. This includes SEO specialists, content creators, web developers, and data analysts who work together to optimize your website. Having this level of expertise and resources available ensures that your SEO strategy is well-rounded and informed by the latest industry trends and best practices.

6. Long-Term Relationship and Trust

An SEO retainer fosters a long-term relationship between you and our SEO team. This relationship builds trust and understanding, as the agency becomes more familiar with your business goals, target audience, and industry challenges. Over time, this deep understanding allows us to develop more effective and tailored strategies that align with your business objectives.

7. Consistent Reporting and Accountability

With an SEO retainer, you can expect regular reporting and updates on your website’s performance. This transparency allows you to track the progress of your SEO efforts and understand the impact on your business. Consistent reporting also holds the us accountable, ensuring that they are delivering results and continuously working towards your SEO goals.

What Should an SEO Retainer Include?

A well-structured SEO retainer ensures that all critical aspects of SEO are covered, delivering consistent and measurable results. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what an effective SEO retainer should include:

1. Initial SEO Audit and Analysis

  • Comprehensive Website Audit: Detailed assessment of the current state of the website, including technical SEO, on-page and off-page SEO, and content quality.
  • Competitor Analysis: Examination of competitors’ SEO strategies and performance to identify opportunities and threats.
  • Keyword Research: Identification of relevant keywords and search phrases that can drive targeted traffic to the website.

2. On-Page SEO Optimization

  • Meta Tag Optimization: Crafting and updating meta titles, descriptions, and headers to improve relevance and click-through rates.
  • Content Optimization: Ensuring that website content is keyword-rich, engaging, and aligned with SEO best practices.
  • Internal Linking Strategy: Enhancing internal link structures to improve site navigation and distribute link equity across pages.
  • Technical SEO Fixes: Addressing issues such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawl errors, and schema markup.

3. Content Strategy and Creation

  • Content Calendar: Developing a content plan that outlines the creation and publication schedule for new content, aligned with keyword targets and business goals.
  • Blog Posts and Articles: Regular creation of high-quality, SEO-friendly blog posts and articles to attract and engage users.
  • Content Updates: Refreshing and updating existing content to keep it relevant and optimized for current search trends.

4. Local SEO

  • Google Business Profile Optimization: Ensuring your Google Business Profile is complete and optimized with accurate business information, photos, and updates to improve local search visibility.
  • Local Citations: Creating and maintaining consistent business listings across various online directories and local citation sites.
  • Local Keyword Optimization: Identifying and targeting local keywords that potential customers use to find businesses like yours.
  • Customer Reviews Management: Encouraging and managing customer reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and industry-specific review sites to build trust and improve local rankings.
  • Local Link Building: Acquiring backlinks from local websites, local news outlets, and community blogs to enhance your local SEO efforts.

5. Technical SEO

  • Site Architecture Improvements: Ensuring a logical and user-friendly site structure that enhances crawlability and indexation.
  • Page Speed Optimization: Implementing best practices to improve page load times, which is crucial for both user experience and search rankings.
  • Mobile Optimization: Ensuring the website is fully optimized for mobile devices, including responsive design and mobile-specific enhancements.
  • Technical Audits: Regular technical audits to identify and fix issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and XML sitemap errors.

6. Regular Reporting and Analytics

  • Monthly Performance Reports: Detailed reports on key metrics such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profiles, and conversion rates.
  • Google Analytics and Search Console Integration: Continuous monitoring and analysis of data from Google Analytics and Search Console to track performance and identify areas for improvement.
  • Custom Dashboards: Creation of customized dashboards to provide real-time insights into SEO performance and progress.

7. Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance

  • Algorithm Update Responses: Proactive adjustments to strategies in response to search engine algorithm updates.
  • Ongoing Keyword Monitoring: Regular tracking of keyword rankings to measure progress and identify new opportunities.
  • Competitor Monitoring: Keeping an eye on competitors’ activities to stay ahead in the market.

8. Consultation and Strategy Development

  • Regular Strategy Meetings: Scheduled meetings to discuss progress, review reports, and plan future SEO strategies.
  • Consultation on Digital Marketing Integration: Advice on integrating SEO with other digital marketing efforts such as PPC, social media, and content marketing.
  • Goal Setting and KPIs: Establishing clear SEO goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.

Pricing

The pricing for our monthly SEO retainer can vary based on the complexity of the website, the competitiveness of the industry, and the scope of services required. Typically, our SEO retainers range from $1,000 to $5,000 per month.

Conclusion

An effective SEO retainer should provide a comprehensive suite of services that cover all aspects of SEO, from initial audits to ongoing optimization and reporting. By including these essential elements in an SEO retainer, businesses can ensure sustained growth in search engine visibility, improved website performance, and ultimately, higher conversions and revenue.

If you’d like to get a quote for an SEO retainer with our SEO team, feel free to reach out.