How do you charge a client for SEO services?

[mqs1000]

1) Is SEO always an ongoing service? Another words is it something that most definitely should be charged monthly or at least more than once?

2) How do you go about talking with a client about SEO and discussing lengths and prices when you can't guarantee that you will get their site up to the front page? I have a family friend now that wants to pay me to do some SEO for his website, and always at the end of our brief conversations he'll be like "But you can get me up to the first page, right?" Basically, if I can't guarantee getting him up to the first page, how do you go about getting someone to pay you for SEO? It seems like a gamble on his part. Keep in mind he's old and technologically handicapped so he has no idea about how it works.

[th3mus1cman]

1. Yes, there generally is a decent amount of working to achieve the desired rankings. So the initial upfront monthly costs are usually higher, but once you have achieved your goals you are more of a maintenance mode or less monthly costs.

2. If he is trying to rank for something that is competitive I would judge anyone suspect that would guarantee results. The approach to take is a monthly retainer with the stipulation that work can be stopped at the end of any given month if results are not seen. With the knowledge also that it might take a few months to see significant results.

[peggyp]

1) Is SEO always an ongoing service? Another words is it something that most definitely should be charged monthly or at least more than once?

It is always an on-going process as one need to keep promoting website in different medium. Here rather than directly propose monthly cost, try to understand the budget of client and accordingly propose marketing campaign and goals that will be achieved in their budget.

2) How do you go about talking with a client about SEO and discussing lengths and prices when you can't guarantee that you will get their site up to the front page? I have a family friend now that wants to pay me to do some SEO for his website, and always at the end of our brief conversations he'll be like "But you can get me up to the first page, right?" Basically, if I can't guarantee getting him up to the first page, how do you go about getting someone to pay you for SEO? It seems like a gamble on his part. Keep in mind he's old and technologically handicapped so he has no idea about how it works.

Rather than slick to rank, i would recommend to understand client's goal. I.e, conversion, inquiries etc.. and accordingly offer estimated improvement ins proposed time frame. Some time what happen is; client suggest keywords which are not closely targeted and if you achieve rank, it may not generate conversion. Better you propose improvement that is directly related to client's earning or interest.

[patrick0001]

1) Is SEO always an ongoing service? Another words is it something that most definitely should be charged monthly or at least more than once?

Generally you may offer 2 types of works, option A achieve certain result to collect money; option B provide constant work base on 3, 6, 9 and 12 months plan.

2) How do you go about talking with a client about SEO and discussing lengths and prices when you can't guarantee that you will get their site up to the front page? I have a family friend now that wants to pay me to do some SEO for his website, and always at the end of our brief conversations he'll be like "But you can get me up to the first page, right?" Basically, if I can't guarantee getting him up to the first page, how do you go about getting someone to pay you for SEO? It seems like a gamble on his part. Keep in mind he's old and technologically handicapped so he has no idea about how it works.

Don't ever provide ranking service, because search engine personalize the result. Make web impression, CTR, visitor, bounce, social engagement as new metric.