How Much Does a Squarespace SEO Expert or Agency Cost?

Introduction

SEO has a reputation problem. If you run a small business, you’ve probably had emails land in your inbox claiming your website “doesn’t show up on Google” and promising to fix it with confusing reports full of jargon. It’s no wonder so many service providers and local businesses feel unsure about what SEO really is or what it should include.

An SEO beginners guide is a great place to start, but this article is here to make things simple and transparent. We’ll walk through what a Squarespace SEO expert does, the factors that influence cost, and what you should expect to pay for Squarespace SEO services. More importantly, you’ll learn what you should actually receive in return, without the pressure, scare tactics, or empty promises that give SEO a bad name.

By the end, you’ll feel more confident about hiring the right Squarespace SEO consultant or agency and know exactly how to budget for your business.

Service Type	Typical Cost	What’s Usually Included	Best For
Hourly Support	$75–$200+	Small fixes, consulting, technical updates	Businesses needing one-off help from a Squarespace SEO consultant
One-Time Audit	$500–$1,500	Full site audit, keyword review, AI search readiness, improvement plan	Business owners who want to know where they stand before investing more
Foundational Setup & Strategy	$1,500–$3,000	Titles, descriptions, Google indexing, sitemap, analytics, GBP setup, strategy	Small businesses building their first Squarespace SEO foundation
Redesign or Migration	$3,000–$7,500+	Full website redesign or migration with SEO baked in	Service providers ready for a site upgrade with SEO services included
Monthly Retainer (Local SEO)	$750–$1,500 per month	Google Business Profile, local keywords, map rankings, reporting	Local businesses focused on showing up in their region
Monthly Retainer (Growth/Competitive)	$1,500–$7,500+ per month	Ongoing content, keyword strategy, technical SEO, citations, reporting	Growing service businesses or competitive niches needing long-term Squarespace SEO support

Table of Contents

Typical Cost Ranges for Squarespace SEO Experts

When hiring a Squarespace SEO consultant or agency, you’ll find costs vary depending on the size of your site, the level of competition in your industry, the scope of work included, and how long you want to work together. Here’s a breakdown of what service providers and local businesses with Squarespace websites can usually expect to pay:

Hourly Rates for Squarespace SEO Specialists

Freelancers usually charge $75–$125 per hour, while more experienced consultants and agencies range from $150–$200 or more. Hourly billing is common for small, one-off tasks like technical fixes, but you’ll usually find SEO services are grouped as a one-time fee or monthly fee.

One-Time Squarespace SEO Projects and Costs

SEO/AIO Audit: $500–$1,500

Be sure your audit includes how you are performing in AI search engines! Some freelancers and companies give away free audits. This is fine but go with someone who offers a transparent look at where you can improve and doesn’t throw around “jargon” to make you feel confused and pressured to buy their service.

Foundational setup and strategy: $1,500–$3,000

This often includes technical optimization such as titles, descriptions, Google indexing, sitemap, analytics, and GBP, however, be sure to make sure it also includes a full audit and strategy!

SEO-focused redesign or migration: $3,000–$7,500+

Many retainers will include redesign or migration, but if you work with an SEO expert who is also an expert Squarespace designer, you can get this all under one roof as a one-time project or as a retainer. You may want to consider if you need a full redesign first, or if investing in retainer services (which include design) will be enough to fit your design needs.

Monthly Squarespace SEO Retainers

Local Business SEO: $750–$1,500 per month

It’s a bit easier to rank locally than nationally or globally. You may find the cost to hire an SEO specialist or company for local SEO is the same, or less, then trying to rank nationally or globally. However, the strategy is a bit different! A local business SEO retainer should include strategies to help you optimize your Google My business profile and rank on the Map Pack, as well as keywords that directly targeting your specific region.

Growing service businesses: $1,500–$3,000 per month

If you are ready to get leads from Google and AI search engines and grow/scale your business, this type of retainer is what you can expect for a small business. This will often include foundational services and is a good steppingstone for businesses that need to bridge the gap between themselves and their competitors.

Competitive industries or national campaigns: $3,000–$7,500+ per month

Smaller businesses can compete in a highly competitive niche in the lower tier (around $2,500/month), but it will take longer.

Typically, we see this sort of rank ($3k and above) for larger businesses that net over 1 million or more per year and are competing against companies with an equally large marketing budget.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Squarespace SEO Experts

The cost of hiring a Squarespace SEO expert, consultant, or agency depends on more than just an hourly rate. A few key factors will shape what you’ll pay and what kind of results you can expect.

Scope of Services

Some specialists limit their work to a one-time audit or on-page cleanup. Others provide full SEO services and monthly retainers that include keyword research, ongoing content, link building, page design, and Google Business Profile management.

☞ The more complex the service package, the higher the cost.

Experience and Certifications

A newer freelancer may charge less, while a Squarespace SEO consultant with years of proven results, industry certifications, or recognition as a Squarespace Circle member typically charges more.

☞ The price will often reflect their ability to deliver strategy and results, not just optimize technical errors.

Business Size and Complexity

A one-person coaching site usually needs a lighter SEO setup than a multi-location service business or a national e-commerce store.

☞ More pages, more products, or more competition means more hours, and therefore more cost.

Geography

Rates can differ based on where your SEO company or consultant is located. U.S.-based agencies tend to charge more than overseas providers.

Don’t be fooled by emails in your inbox telling you your site “looks good but doesn’t show up on Google”. These sorts of low-cost providers often go after black-hat backlinks and promise technical fixes that have nothing to do with Squarespace!

Deliverables and Reporting

Some Squarespace SEO agencies provide a clear list of what’s included: number of pages optimized, citations built, blogs planned, or reports delivered. Others offer vague deliverables.

☞ When comparing estimates, look for transparency so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Practical Steps for Hiring a Squarespace SEO Expert

Once you understand what Squarespace SEO services usually cost, the next step is how to choose the right Squarespace SEO consultant. Here’s how to make the process less stressful and more effective:

1. Define Your Goals

Before you reach out to a consultant or agency, get clear on what you want. Do you need more local leads, higher Google rankings for specific services, or a solid Squarespace SEO foundation? Having goals in mind makes it easier to spot the right provider.

2. Look for Squarespace-Specific Experience

Not every SEO company knows the ins and outs of Squarespace. Ask about past projects on the platform, how they handle schema and URL structures, and whether they’ve worked with businesses like yours. A true Squarespace SEO consultant will be able to explain exactly what can and can’t be done on the platform.

3. Ask About Deliverables

Vague promises like “we’ll get you on page one” aren’t enough. A good Squarespace SEO expert should outline exactly what’s included and what kind of results they expect to deliver, including audits, keyword research, on-page updates, citations, content strategy, and reporting.

4. Review Case Studies and References

Look for real examples of results. If an agency or specialist can show you where they improved traffic or helped a business show up on Google’s Map Pack, that’s a strong sign of credibility.

5. Watch Out for Red Flags

Avoid anyone who guarantees rankings, talks in jargon without explaining, or sends you long reports that don’t connect to your actual business goals. Cheap “packages” that rely on backlinks or automated tools often cause more harm than good and could get you blacklisted on Google!

6. Compare Value, Not Just Price

Two consultants may quote different prices for similar services. The difference often comes down to strategy, design packages, reporting, and support. Sometimes a slightly higher investment with the right Squarespace SEO agency will save you money in the long run.

Key Considerations Before Investing

Hiring a Squarespace SEO specialist or agency is an investment, so it helps to look at the bigger picture before you sign a contract. It might be helpful to review a case study on when SEO is or isn’t a good fit.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Timeline for Results

SEO isn’t instant. Most businesses start to see traction within 3–6 months, with stronger growth building over 12 months or more. If someone promises overnight rankings, that’s a red flag.

Return on Investment

Think about SEO as a way to create a steady flow of leads rather than a quick campaign. The cost should make sense when compared to the value of a new client or customer. For example, if your service is worth $1,000, even one or two new clients a month can more than cover your SEO budget. A reputable expert will be able to explain how much ROI you can expect, and when.

Squarespace-Specific Expertise

As mentioned earlier in this article, Squarespace has its own SEO setup for basic technical optimization, and for advanced SEO such as schema, URL structures, and code injection, so be sure to seek out someone who knows the system inside and out.

Fit With Your Business Goals

Every business is different. A local service provider needs a strategy that focuses on Google Business Profile and map rankings, while a national brand needs broader keyword targeting and content creation. The right SEO services will be shaped around your goals, not a cookie-cutter package.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

Squarespace is an excellent platform for SEO, especially for service providers and local businesses. The real limitations usually aren’t in the platform itself, but in budget and expectations.

Budget Constraints

Some small businesses simply aren’t ready to invest. Even a one-time foundational project requires setting aside funds, and for brand-new businesses, that can feel out of reach. If you’re not yet in a position to budget for SEO, it may make more sense to focus on word-of-mouth referrals, networking, or other low-cost marketing until you’re ready.

One-Time Projects vs. Ongoing Growth

A foundational setup gives your site a strong start, but it won’t carry you to the top in competitive industries. If you’re in a niche where multiple companies are already investing in SEO every month, a one-time project won’t be enough to keep up.

Expectations Around Leads

Many business owners hope that one SEO project will immediately flood them with leads. The reality is that SEO takes time, and results depend on how competitive your market is.

Conclusion

Hiring a Squarespace SEO consultant or company doesn’t have to feel confusing. Once you understand the factors that influence cost, the typical ranges for different types of projects, and what to look for in a consultant or agency, it becomes much easier to decide what’s right for your business.

For local businesses and service providers, Squarespace is a strong platform that can support long-term SEO growth. Whether you start with a one-time foundational setup or commit to an ongoing retainer, the key is working with a Squarespace SEO specialist who can explain what’s included, set realistic expectations, and build a strategy that makes sense for your goals.

If you’re considering Squarespace SEO services and want clarity on what’s possible for your business, reach out to someone like Khara at Websites by Khara! The right investment can give your site a strong foundation and help you move toward the kind of visibility that attracts leads and supports steady growth.