You’ve probably seen it before.
“Full SEO package – $199/month!”
Sounds like a steal, right?
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: $200 SEO won’t bring you clients. It won’t get your phone ringing. It won’t grow your business.
Because SEO isn’t a product. It’s not something you “buy” once a month. It’s a strategy, a process, and most of all – skilled work. Real work, done by someone who knows what they’re doing.
How Much Real Work Can You Get for $200?
Let’s put it in perspective.
If you hired a qualified professional – a plumber, electrician, or kitchen designer – how many hours of focused work would you expect for $200? One? Maybe two?
Now think about SEO.
You’re hiring someone who spent years learning the craft, probably invested tens of thousands into courses, tools, and testing, and now you’re expecting them to build your online visibility for less than the price of dinner for two?
Let’s be honest:
$200 doesn’t cover a proper SEO audit, let alone strategy, content, on-page optimization, local targeting, backlinks, technical fixes… It covers one thing: a checkbox.
What Cheap SEO Actually Delivers
Here’s what usually happens with $200/month “SEO packages”:
- You get a generic report once a month
- AI-generated articles nobody reads
- No keyword strategy
- No real content plan
- Zero business thinking – just empty metrics
- No improvement in local rankings
- And worst of all – no calls, no leads, no clients
SEO Is Not a Cost. It’s an Investment in Growth.
Let’s say you’re a contractor.
One full kitchen remodel brings you, say, $15,000–$25,000 in revenue. Your profit? Maybe $6,000–$8,000.
Now imagine this:
You invest $1100/month into SEO.
And in month 2 or 3, you get just one kitchen project directly from organic search.
That one project covers half a year of your SEO spend.
And that’s just one lead.
Real SEO, when done right, keeps bringing you leads month after month. It doesn’t stop just because the ad budget runs out.
What Real SEO Includes
When you work with someone who knows what they’re doing, here’s what you get:
- Full website audit (technical, content, structure)
- Clear strategy for your local service area
- Research-based keywords tied to how your clients search
- Unique landing pages written with conversion in mind
- Google Maps optimization
- Content that actually answers your clients’ questions
- Backlink plan (local citations, niche links)
- Regular tracking + clear reporting
- And someone thinking about your business goals, not just clicks
“Why Don’t You Work on Commission?”
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Why can’t I just pay my SEO when results come in?”
…that’s actually a fair question.
And honestly? That would be ideal — for both sides.
As an SEO specialist, I’d love to work only with clients who are ready to grow, and earn based on how much business I help generate. It makes total sense.
But here’s the reality:
- SEO is not instant. Some results show in the first month, others take 3–6 months depending on your market, competition, and current website state.
- I still need to do the work: audits, keyword research, content planning, page building, technical fixes. All of it takes time.
- I have tools, hosting, writers, and hours to pay for – just like you have your crews, your materials, your equipment.
You wouldn’t ask a contractor to remodel your kitchen for free and say,
“Don’t worry — I’ll pay you once I sell the house.”
That’s exactly what “SEO on commission” would look like.
On the other hand, with Google Ads, it’s different.
You can run a campaign, track every click, and even agree to pay per lead. But SEO is about long-term positioning, not short-term traffic.
That’s why we treat SEO as a partnership — you invest in growth, and I bring the expertise, tools and strategy to make it happen.
Ask Yourself This:
“How much am I willing to invest each month to make sure my phone rings with real leads?”
If the answer is “as little as possible” — then you’re not ready for real growth.
But if the answer is:
“I want clients consistently, and I’m ready to invest in a strategy that pays for itself”
…then real SEO is exactly what your business needs.
You don’t need SEO that checks a box.
You need SEO that brings you clients.
So next time someone offers you “full SEO” for $200/month — ask yourself:
“Would I work for that rate myself?”
And then find someone who’ll treat your business like a real project — not a recurring invoice.
Ready to Grow? Let’s Talk.
If you’re serious about growing your business and ready to dominate your local market — let’s connect.
I work with businesses that value results, not just promises.
Reach out at hello@lizardoagency.com and let’s see how we can get your phone ringing with real leads.
