Match package to problem
A new local business, an ecommerce store and a site with a traffic drop need different work. Buy the scope that fits your situation, not the biggest tier.
Best SEO Package: How to Choose the Right One for Your Business
best seo packageThere is no single best SEO package, only the one that matches your site, market and goals. Packages bundle the same handful of activities in different amounts, so the useful skill is reading what is actually in the bundle. This guide breaks a package into its components, uses Google’s own SEO Starter Guide to separate real work from filler, shows the tier patterns seen in public listings, and gives a decision framework by business type.
- what a package contains
- tier patterns, explained
- decision guide by business type
- filler to avoid
// note: I sell SEO services here, so I have an interest. I name no competitors’ packages. Tier patterns come from reading public listings and a few pricing surveys, not from a controlled study. For my own offers see pricing.
package-components.txtsummary
| component | what it covers |
|---|---|
| Audit | technical and content baseline |
| On-page | titles, headings, internal links |
| Content | new pages and updates |
| Authority | earned links, mentions |
| Local | profile, citations, reviews |
| Reporting | results and next steps |
key takeaways
The Short Version Before the Deep Dive
Read the deliverables
Counts of pages, articles and links are inputs, not results. Ask how each will be chosen, checked and reported.
Beware padded checklists
Google says it does not use meta keywords, no ideal word count exists, and heading order is not a ranking dependency. Packages built on those are padding.
anatomy
What a Package Is Made Of
Almost every package, from budget to enterprise, is a mix of these parts in different amounts.
| Component | What good looks like | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | A written review of crawling, indexing, site structure, content and links, with a prioritised fix list | An automated report pasted in with no interpretation |
| Keyword and topic research | Pages mapped to search intent and to your actual services | A long keyword list with no mapping to pages |
| On-page optimisation | Clear unique titles, useful content, sensible internal links, descriptive image alt text | Keyword stuffing or meta keywords |
| Technical work | Indexing, redirects, canonical URLs, speed and mobile checks | Changes made with no explanation |
| Content | Original, people-first pages and updates to old ones | Thin or rehashed articles to hit a monthly count |
| Authority and links | Earning mentions through useful content and outreach | Paid links or schemes promised at a fixed number a month |
| Local SEO | Verified Business Profile, accurate details, genuine reviews | Fake reviews or fake addresses |
| Reporting | Leads, calls and organic traffic plus what changed and why | Ranking screenshots for hand-picked terms |
REALITY CHECK
Use Google’s Starter Guide as Your Yardstick
Google’s SEO Starter Guide is the closest thing to an official checklist (Google Search Central). A package that covers the real items is delivering value. Its main points:
- Be findable: confirm the site is indexed, nothing blocks Google, and Google can load the same CSS, JavaScript and content users see.
- Organise URLs: readable URLs, one URL per piece of content, redirects or canonical tags for duplicates.
- Make content useful: clear, original, current, people-first content that shows expertise.
- Link well: relevant internal and external links with descriptive anchor text.
- Write unique titles and concise meta descriptions.
- Describe images with alt text, place media near relevant text.
- Promote the site through channels people actually use.
// google says do not focus on
Common package filler
- Meta keywords: not used by Google
- Keyword stuffing: violates spam policies
- Keywords in the domain: minimal effect
- An ideal word count: none exists
- Heading order and count: not a ranking dependency
- A duplicate content penalty: not a thing, though copying others is a problem
// if a package leans on these as selling points, ask what else it does.
tier patterns
Starter, Growth and Enterprise: What Changes
These are patterns seen across public listings, not an industry standard. Names and contents vary.
Foundation
- Audit and fixes
- On-page work on a limited set of core pages
- Local profile and citation setup if relevant
- Light content, often one piece a month or none
- Basic monthly report
// typical fit: new or small sites that need the basics done correctly.
Steady content and authority
- Everything in starter
- Regular content, several pieces a month
- Link earning or outreach
- Competitor analysis
- Reporting tied to leads and calls
// typical fit: sites with a sound base that want more visibility.
Scale and strategy
- Multi-location or multi-market structure
- Large content programmes
- Dedicated strategist and regular reviews
- Custom reporting and integrations
- Technical depth for big sites
// typical fit: large or complex sites and multi-site brands.
For what these tiers tend to cost, see my breakdown of SEO pricing per month, which uses Ahrefs and SE Ranking survey data. The step up between tiers is mostly more hours, not a different method.
decision guide
Which Package Fits Your Situation?
| Your situation | What to prioritise | What to skip at first |
|---|---|---|
| New local business, small site | Audit, core pages, verified Business Profile, reviews, citations | Large content programmes, aggressive link buying |
| Established local business, flat leads | Audit, local pages for each service/area, content refresh, local links | National campaigns |
| Ecommerce store | Technical structure, category and product pages, content, internal links | Blog volume for its own sake |
| Site that lost traffic | Diagnosis first: indexing, links, updates, tracking | New content before finding the cause |
| Content-heavy publisher or SaaS | Topic strategy, content quality, links through useful assets | Generic local tactics |
| Planning a redesign or migration | A project package: redirects, URL mapping, launch checks | Monthly retainer until after launch |
If your site has an indexing problem, start with my crawled, currently not indexed guide before paying for more content.
scorecard
Comparing Two or Three Packages Fairly
- Line up deliverables. Put each package’s list side by side. Mark items that appear in only one.
- Ask for specifics on counts. If a package offers four articles a month, who writes them, how are topics chosen and who edits?
- Ask how links are earned. Anything resembling payment for ranking is link spam under Google’s policy. See my Penguin guide.
- Check the reporting. Does it show leads and calls, not just keyword positions?
- Check the exit. Notice period, minimum term, who owns the content and accounts.
- Ask for a sample. A sample report or sample article tells you more than a brochure.
NEWER ITEMS
What About AI Search Add-Ons?
Some packages now bundle AI visibility audits or AI-search optimisation. Google’s guidance on hiring an SEO says to check recommendations against official Google guidance and to apply the same scrutiny to “AEO” or “GEO” advice, and that third-party tools do not have access to Google’s internal ranking data (Google Search Central).
In practice, ask what the add-on actually changes on your site and how success is measured. Clear, accurate, well-structured content that answers real questions is the common thread; be wary of formulas that promise guaranteed citations.
// questions for add-ons
- What exactly will be changed?
- How is it measured?
- Does it cite Google documentation?
- Is it included or an extra fee?
mistakes
Mistakes When Buying a Package
Buying the middle tier by default
The middle option is often the most profitable for the seller. Start with the audit, then pick scope.
Judging by quantity
Twenty links or ten articles tell you nothing about quality, relevance or effect.
Ignoring your own capacity
You will need to approve content, supply photos, and give access. Budget time.
Skipping the baseline
Record current leads, calls and traffic before starting. Otherwise you cannot judge results.
Locking in too long
Choose a short initial term or a clear exit, especially with a new provider.
Expecting guaranteed rankings
Google says no one can guarantee a top ranking. Treat any such promise as a red flag. See how to choose an SEO company.
// how this guide was made
What I Checked and What I Didn’t
I read Google’s SEO Starter Guide and its page on hiring an SEO, and scanned public package listings from several vendors and directories to see how tiers are structured. I do not endorse or rank any vendor’s package. I did not buy or test any package for this guide. Tier descriptions are my summary of common patterns, not a standard, and what is “best” depends on your site and goals.
faq
Best SEO Package FAQ
What is the best SEO package?
There is no universal best. The right package matches your site’s stage, market and goals, and lists specific deliverables and reporting.
What should an SEO package include?
An audit, keyword and topic research, on-page and technical work, content, a legitimate approach to earning links, local SEO if relevant, and reporting that ties to leads.
Are SEO packages worth it?
They can be, when scope matches your need and you can measure results. They are less useful when the deliverables are padded or the contract is hard to exit.
Starter, growth or enterprise?
Starter suits new or small sites needing foundations. Growth suits sites with a sound base that want more content and links. Enterprise suits large or multi-location sites.
How many links should a package include?
Be wary of fixed monthly link counts. Google treats links obtained mainly to manipulate rankings as spam. Ask how links are earned.
Does Google use meta keywords?
No. Google lists meta keywords among things not to focus on, so a package that sells them is padding.
Can I mix and match services?
Often yes. Many providers sell audits, content and local setup separately, which can suit a small budget.
How do I compare packages from different companies?
Line up deliverables, ask how each is done and measured, and compare reporting and exit terms rather than names and prices alone.
What if I only need a one-off fix?
A project-based audit or fix is cheaper and clearer than a retainer. See the SEO report guide for what an audit should deliver.