One of the most important questions most people ask when beginning an SEO campaign is ‘What Should It Cost?’ and healthcare SEO is no exception. Considering the importance of medical SEO and ranking high in search engines, it’s something that should be given priority. So what should healthcare SEO cost?
How Much Does SEO Cost in the Healthcare Industry?
Generally speaking, healthcare SEO costs vary greatly depending on a number of factors. The price can range anywhere from $500 per month to upwards of $8000 per month.
Factors That Affect Healthcare SEO Costs
There are a number of factors that affect the cost of SEO services. Even more so when considering the specialized area of healthcare SEO! We’ve broken down the main contributing factors below.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Services
One contributing factor to the cost of medical SEO is the number of services and optimizations your potential search engine optimization agency or SEO specialist will provide. For someone who optimizes all of the below-mentioned services, you can expect to pay more than someone who simply does keyword research, content creation, or link building for you. If you are interested in custom SEO services from digital marketing agencies, that may result in higher costs as well.
When outsourcing your healthcare SEO services, be sure to ask your potential SEO professionals or specialists what their services entail in order to ensure you are getting what you and your medical practice need.
Google search engine results
SEO specialists who deliver Google search engine results utilize a combination of techniques to do so. This includes technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO as well as content marketing and content creation.
technical SEO
Technical SEO services entail things like site speed, broken links and redirects, XML sitemaps, and the mobile-friendliness of your site. This includes things like setting up redirects, managing 404 errors, and troubleshooting server issues. Server administration is a very important part of technical SEO and should not be overlooked.
on-page SEO
On-page SEO refers to things like your metadata – title tags, meta descriptions, alt-text for images, heading structure, schema, and the like. On-page optimization is the process of optimizing a website’s code and content for search engines. This includes things like optimizing title tags, meta tags, and headers. It also includes optimizing the website’s structure and navigation. All of these factors play a role in how well a website ranks in search engines.
off-page SEO
Off-page SEO is where the fun begins and things get interesting. Things such as keyword research, competitive analysis, and your backlink profile all relate to your off-page SEO. While you have a significant amount of control over your technical and on-page SEO, your off-page SEO is more outside of your control. While you choose your targeted keywords, you can’t control your competitors’ SEO and it’s not always easy to control your backlink profile.
Local SEO results on google
A good medical search engine optimization agency will ensure your practice’s website is fully optimized to appear in Google’s local SEO results. This includes Google’s Local Pack (Google My Business, Google Maps, contact information and hours, plus a direct CTA).
Local SEO packages are absolutely essential to healthcare providers in reaching their target audience via SEO campaigns.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) / PPC services
Some healthcare SEO agencies also include PPC or SEM services. This is essentially digital advertising. Depending on your specific SEO goals, you may or may not want to include these services in your digital marketing plan.
Having a specialist in paid search opportunities is a huge benefit, but also comes with additional healthcare SEO costs.
Within digital marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach new patients and grow your business.
PPC advertising allows you to target potential patients who are actively searching for the kind of healthcare services you offer. That means that when someone does a Google search for “primary care physician near me,” your ad could show up at the top of the results page. And since you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, it’s a very cost-effective way to market for a healthcare provider.
Not sure whether you need PPC? This is what you need to consider.
Your budget: PPC can be very affordable, especially if you have a small budget. You can set your own budget and only pay when someone clicks on your ad.
Your goals: What are you hoping to achieve with your digital marketing plan? If you’re looking to reach new patients, PPC can be an effective way to do that.
Your competition: Are other healthcare practices in your area using PPC? If so, you may want to consider using it as well so you can stay competitive.
Things to know before you DIY your PPC campaign
Research your keywords: What terms do potential patients use when they’re searching for the kind of healthcare services you offer? Make sure you target these keywords in your ads.
Create compelling ad copy: Your ad should be clear and concise, and it should include a call to action that encourages potential patients to click through to your website.
Monitor your results: Keep an eye on your click-through rate (CTR) and conversion rate (the percentage of people who take the desired action after clicking on your ad) to see how well your PPC campaign is performing.
PPC can be a great way to reach new patients and grow your healthcare practice. If you’re not sure whether it’s right for you, consider your budget, goals, and competition. And if you decide to give it a try, make sure you research your keywords, create compelling ad copy, and monitor your results.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Tools
There are a lot of different SEO tools out there, and they can range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per month. These tools can be extremely valuable in helping you to climb the search engine rankings. So how do search engine optimization tools factor into the overall cost of monthly healthcare SEO services?
The answer really depends on the agency or freelancer you’re working with. Some SEO packages will include the cost of their SEO tools in their monthly fee, while others will charge an additional fee for using their tools. So it’s important to ask up front how SEO tools factor into the overall cost of the monthly search engine optimization services you’re considering.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Security Software
As the healthcare industry moves towards a more digital way of operating, privacy and security concerns become more prevalent. One way to combat these issues is through the use of security software.
This type of software can help to encrypt data, protect against malware and viruses, prevent unauthorized access to systems, and ensure the analytics you have in place are HIPAA compliant in order to protect patient privacy.
While the cost of implementing such software can be high, the benefits can be well worth the investment. Healthcare organizations that make use of security software can help to ensure the safety of their patients, staff, and data. In addition, they can also save money by reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements due to damage caused by cyberattacks.
Before hiring specialized healthcare SEO consultants, you’ll want to ask as many questions as you can regarding their safety and privacy protection protocol.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Pricing Model
There are four common types of SEO pricing packages: hourly, project-based, retainers, and performance-based. Depending on the digital marketing services you require, your internet marketing agency may use different pricing models. It’s important to understand the differences between these models as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
The type of pricing model you choose for your SEO campaign should be based on your needs and the experience you are expecting from an SEO agency.
No matter which of the common SEO pricing packages you choose always make sure you’re asking questions about what you should expect to receive for your money. Quality SEO services for medical practices come at a cost. SEO in general is an ever-changing and complex field, and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, particularly for healthcare professionals.
Different SEO pricing models
Hourly Billing
Hourly billing is the most straightforward model; you are simply billed for the number of hours that an SEO company spends on your SEO campaign each month. This pricing model is normally used by freelancers or small agencies that don’t have a lot of overhead costs.
Project-based billing
Project-based billing is similar to hourly billing, but instead of billing for actual hours worked, your bill is for the completion of specific tasks or milestones. This type of SEO pricing model is most commonly used for larger projects with a defined scope and timeline.
Retainers
Retainers are a type of ongoing monthly fee, typically paid in advance, that gives the agency a set number of hours to work on your account each month. These monthly SEO services are normally used by agencies or freelancers who have a lot of experience and are looking for long-term relationships with their clients.
performance-based billing
Performance-based billing is exactly what it sounds like: you only pay if the agency’s SEO efforts result in improved rankings or increased traffic. This type of SEO package pricing is used by agencies or freelancers who are confident in their abilities and have a track record of success.
However, you should be leery of any SEO specialists that guarantee results. This type of agency typically employs black hat tactics that could do more harm than good to your medical website. A quality SEO service provider will not guarantee you results.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Size of Practice
The size of your practice will definitely affect how much you spend on your healthcare SEO. If you’re a small practice with one location, you’ll probably be able to get away with spending less than if you were a large hospital with numerous locations.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Competition and Niche
If you’re in a very competitive field, such as pediatrics, then your healthcare SEO agency will likely take more time to rank higher on Google. This will obviously increase the amount you should expect to spend on medical SEO.
If you’re in a less competitive niche, such as interventional radiology, then you may be able to spend less and still see great results. Ultimately, it really depends on the situation and what your goals are.
Healthcare SEO Cost – Geographic Location
location and competition
The cost of SEO can vary greatly depending on your geographic location. For example, if you’re targeting a local market, the cost of SEO will be much lower than if you’re targeting a national or international market. This is because the competition is usually much higher in larger markets, and therefore the cost of SEO services is also higher.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you’re targeting a very niche market, the cost of SEO may actually be lower than in a larger market. This is because there may be fewer companies competing for that same niche market, and therefore the cost of SEO services is also lower.
It really depends on the size and competition of the market you’re targeting. In general, though, the larger the market and the more competitive it is, the higher the cost of SEO will be. However, there are always exceptions to this rule, so it’s important to do your research before making any decisions.
location and cost of living
Another way in which geographic location can affect the varying costs of healthcare SEO is what the typical cost of living is in your area. For example, all other things equal, you can expect SEO for a small, one-location practice to cost more in New York City than in Boise, Idaho.
Is SEO for Healthcare Worth the Cost?
SEO can be a great investment for healthcare companies. SEO professionals can help you rank higher in search engines, drive traffic to your website, and convert visitors into patients with properly executed SEO strategies. However, the cost of healthcare SEO can be significant, especially if you’re working with a reputable agency.
It’s important to remember that SEO is an investment. And like any investment, there’s always the potential for ROI. If you’re looking to drive traffic and conversions, then investing in healthcare SEO can be a wise decision.
Things to Look for in a Medical SEO Agency
Choosing the right medical SEO agency can make a big difference in your ability to rank well in search engines. Keep these things in mind when making your choice, and you’ll be on your way to better visibility online.
Healthcare Experience
There are a few key things to look for in a medical SEO agency. The first is experience. Make sure the agency has experience working with medical clients, as they will understand the unique challenges that come with ranking in this industry.
When it comes to choosing a medical SEO agency, the experience should be at the top of your list of criteria. After all, ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) is no easy feat, and it takes a team of experienced professionals to get the job done right.
An agency with experience working with medical clients will understand the unique challenges that come with ranking in this industry. They’ll know how to research the right keywords, create informative and keyword-rich content, and build links from high-quality websites. All of these factors are essential for ranking well in SERPs.
Transparent Reporting
Second, look for an agency that offers transparent reporting. You should be able to see exactly what work is being done for your healthcare website, and how it is impacting your ranking.
A good agency will keep you updated on their progress and provide detailed reports on a regular basis.
Initially, a full SEO audit should be performed and provided to you in order to properly assess your needs prior to the SEO team performing any actual work.
Testimonials, Case Studies, and Reviews
Finally, make sure the agency you choose has a good reputation. Ask around for recommendations, or check out online reviews to get a sense of what others have experienced working with the agency.
When in the initial stages of choosing a healthcare SEO agency, ask to see case studies of previous clients. These case studies will break down what the agency does that works, their successes, and give a general idea of how much experience they have as well.
Choosing an agency with a good reputation will give you peace of mind that you’re working with a team of professionals who will do everything they can to help you rank well in SERPs.
Properly Implemented SEO on Their Own Website(s)
Check out their own website! If you notice things such as poor grammar, bad user experience, slow load times, and any other technical issues, you probably don’t want to hire them to take care of your medical website. In order to get your medical website to rank on Google, they should have been able to do the same for their own.
If you know a bit about SEO yourself and have the tools to do these things, you could take a look at their DA or DR, site traffic, backlink profile, and how many keywords they rank for.
Use of SEO Best Practices
When you’re looking for an SEO agency, it’s important to choose one that uses best practices. Unfortunately, there are a lot of agencies out there that guarantee results without using best practices. This can actually do more harm than good to your website.
If an agency guarantees results, they’re likely using black hat techniques. These are techniques that go against Google’s guidelines and can actually get your website penalized. In the short term, you may see results from these techniques. But in the long term, you could end up angering the Google Gods.
Ask potential medical SEO agencies flat-out when discussing the particulars about their agency and your healthcare practice. Ask what their link-building practices are. Ask them what makes a good keyword to target. Quality SEO service providers will use the best SEO tips to get more patients into your practice.
Structure of SEO Agency
There are many different types of SEO agencies out there, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to understand the structure of an agency before you hire one so that you can be sure you’re getting the best possible service. Here’s a quick overview of the most common types of agencies:
in-house team
The first type of agency is the in-house team. This is where a company has its own team of SEO experts who work exclusively on optimizing the company’s website.
The advantage of this type of agency is that they are very familiar with the company’s products and services, and can tailor their optimization strategies specifically for the company.
The downside is that in-house teams can be very expensive, and they may not have the same level of experience as an outside agency.
freelancer
The second type of agency is the freelancer. This is where an individual works on optimizing a website on their own.
The advantage of this type of agency is that they are usually much cheaper than an in-house team, and they have a lot of experience in SEO.
The downside is that freelancers may not be familiar with healthcare SEO, and they may not be able to tailor their optimization strategies specifically for your practice.
full-service agency
The third type of agency is the full-service agency. This is where an agency provides both SEO services and other marketing services, such as pay-per-click (PPC) management, social media marketing, and email marketing.
The advantage of a full-service agency is that it can provide a complete package of services that will help a company to improve its online visibility.
The downside is that full-service agencies can be very expensive, and they may not have the same level of experience in medical SEO.
Now that you know the three most common types of agencies, you can start to research which one would be the best fit for your company. Remember, it’s important to find an agency that has experience in optimizing medical websites so that you can be sure they will be able to get the best results for your company.
Summing Up – How Much Does SEO Cost in the Healthcare Industry?
The cost of healthcare SEO can vary depending on the size and scope of your project. A small practice can expect to pay as little as $500 per month, while a large hospital with multiple locations could pay upwards of $8000 per month.
The best way to know for sure will be to clearly define your SEO goals and expectations.
The price you pay will also depend on the keywords you’re targeting and how competitive they are. However, at the end of the day, healthcare SEO is an investment that will pay off in the long run.
If you’re thinking about investing in healthcare SEO, it’s important to understand that it’s not a one-time cost. SEO is an ongoing process, which means you’ll need to include it in your marketing budget for it on an ongoing basis.
The good news is that, once you’ve achieved a certain level of success, you can start to scale back your SEO efforts and focus on other marketing channels.
So there you have it! A quick overview of how much healthcare SEO can cost. If you’re looking to improve your online visibility and attract more patients, then SEO is a great option. Just be sure to work with a reputable agency or consultant who can help you achieve your goals.
Looking for more healthcare marketing tips? Check out our website for more articles on how you can use medical SEO to get more traffic, more leads, and more patients!
