Hire the best SEO Experts

How much does it cost to hire an SEO expert?

On Upwork, freelancers often charge between $25 and $43 per hour for SEO expertise. Beginners may charge between $25 and $32 per hour, while intermediate professionals usually fall in the $32 to $36 range. Top earners with advanced skills and proven results can often charge more than this, up to $100 per hour or higher.

By contrast, hiring an SEO agency is often more expensive. Rates may exceed $200 per hour or $3,000–$7,500 per month, if working on a retainer basis.

Rates will also depend on the specific services needed. For example, a full package that includes a site audit, content optimization, and link building will usually cost more than ongoing SEO support. Defining these goals early on helps keep the budget in check.

What services do SEO experts provide?

SEO experts offer a range of services to help websites rank higher in traditional search engines like Google, and emerging search engines like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and even social media search engines like TikTok and YouTube. 

A big part of the job involves technical site analysis. SEO experts conduct audits to evaluate elements like site speed, mobile usability, structured data, and crawlability, making sure that search engines can efficiently access and understand a site’s content. This technical foundation supports a site’s stronger overall performance in search results.

They also serve as keyword strategists and content planners. By researching relevant queries and aligning them with on-page elements like titles, headers, and copy, they help websites surface in the right search results. Many also create or guide the development of high-value content that attracts and retains targeted traffic.

Off-page work is just as important. SEO experts build domain authority through link acquisition strategies, earning backlinks from reputable sites. For local businesses, they may focus on improving visibility in geographic search results by optimizing business profiles and local directory listings.

How do I find and hire the right SEO expert on Upwork?

Start by defining specific SEO goals, such as improving visibility, increasing traffic, or recovering rankings. This will help narrow down the search for the right expert. Next, consider hiring a freelancer for flexible, cost-effective support or an agency for more structured, high-volume work. 

Upwork offers access to vetted SEO professionals with transparent reviews and proven experience. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to find and hire the right one:

1. Define your goals. Be specific about what you want to achieve, such as technical fixes, keyword improvements, local SEO, content strategy, or all of the above.

2. Write a clear job post. Include your objectives, timeline, and any preferred tools (like SEMrush, Google Analytics, or Ahrefs). Mention any experience level or industry expertise you're looking for.

3. Search and shortlist candidates. Use filters to find SEO freelancers by hourly rate, experience, and client reviews. Review profiles, case studies, and client feedback to assess quality and fit.

4. Interview your top picks. Ask about their SEO process, how they measure success, typical timelines for results (often three to six months), and experience with challenges like Google penalties or algorithm changes. In addition, an understanding of the new SEO landscape and optimizing for AI is a big plus.

5. Set expectations and start the project. Agree on rate (hourly or fixed), deliverables, reporting frequency, and how revisions or feedback will be handled. Use milestones for longer-term projects to track progress.

Is it worth hiring someone to do SEO? 

Hiring a freelance SEO professional or team can be a valuable long-term marketing investment if you are looking to grow your business, increase organic visibility, and attract the right audience online. It’s important to consider that it can take up to six months to see SEO results as your content changes get indexed by complex search engines. Knowing this, a strong and well-executed SEO strategy can improve your website’s ranking in search results, drive qualified traffic, and increase conversions. 

In order to see the best results, understand that SEO involves more than just keywords. An experienced SEO professional can handle technical fixes, optimize content, identify sitespeed improvements, and ensure your website meets search engine standards. Whether you run a local service business or an e-commerce store, a tailored SEO approach can help you reach your ideal customers. This might mean improving local search visibility or optimizing product pages that convert shoppers into buyers.

A strong SEO partner will also align their work with your broader digital strategy. This could include supporting content marketing, enhancing paid advertising campaigns, or helping you deliver a consistent experience across your website and other channels. When done well, SEO does more than improve rankings. It strengthens your entire online presence.