1. Three different services are actually sold under the same term “SEO”
The Estonian agency Marketing Sharks explains the price differences by noting that three different things are sold under the name “SEO”: technical improvements, content creation, and link building (Marketing Sharks’ Digital Marketing Price Guide). In their model, content accounts for about 40–50% of ongoing work, technical work 15–25%, authority and links 15–25%, and analytics 10–15% (Marketing Sharks: What’s Actually Done for a Monthly SEO Fee).
One agency’s “SEO service” might therefore consist of a monthly technical audit, while another’s might also include several new articles and link building. Both are honestly labeled as SEO, but they are different products. You can’t compare offers based on their titles alone—only on their content.
The price is also determined by your specific situation. According to Marketing Sharks, the price depends on how much content is needed, how problematic the technical side is, and how intense the search competition is: ongoing work for a small or medium-sized website starts at around 500 euros per month, while for an e-commerce site or a competitive niche, it ranges from 900 to 2,000 euros per month (Marketing Sharks: How to Choose an SEO Agency and What It Costs).
2. The monthly fee represents a very different number of working hours
Marketing Sharks estimates that a 700-euro monthly SEO fee buys about 8–12 hours of work in Estonia, and recommends always asking how many hours the quote actually covers ( Marketing Sharks: What is actually done for a monthly SEO fee ). In an international comparison, the most common hourly rate in Ahrefs’ SEO pricing survey was $75–100 (24% of respondents) and the most common monthly rate was $501–1,000 (20.4%).
According to the same source, SEO for small businesses in Estonia typically ranges from 400 to 1,500 euros per month, and a price lower than that usually covers only a single activity, not a comprehensive service. A low monthly fee isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It simply means a smaller scope of work, and that should be reflected in the quote.
If you have two offers on the table, ask both of them the same questions in writing:
- how many working hours per month are covered by the monthly fee;
- how much new content is produced each month and who writes it;
- what technical improvements are made and who implements them;
- whether and how links are acquired;
- what the monthly report includes.
Only after receiving these answers does it make sense to compare the two price quotes side by side.
3. The pricing model and contract length make price tags incomparable
The ranges published by the agencies themselves vary significantly. Marketing Sharks estimates SEO costs in Estonia at 500–2,500 euros per month, with initial results appearing within 4–6 months (Marketing Sharks Digital Marketing Price Guide). Upspace Digital cites a range of 250–1,000 euros per month, averaging around 350–500 euros, and states that campaigns typically last at least 6 months; for comparison, it cites UK prices of 600–3,000 pounds per month (Upspace Digital: SEO Pricing). Dopamin, which itself offers project-based pricing and performance guarantees, describes the typical Estonian agency model as a 500–2,500-euro audit plus a monthly fee of 800–3,000 euros, often with a minimum contract term of 6–12 months, and sometimes even 24 months (Dopamin: Guide to SEO Services in Estonia).
The price tag therefore depends on whether the contract is for a fixed monthly fee, a one-time project, or a performance-based model. For this reason, it’s worth calculating the total cost for the entire contract period rather than looking only at the monthly amount. For example, a 1,000-euro audit plus 12 months at 800 euros per month totals 10,600 euros; six months at 500 euros per month totals 3,000 euros. These are products with different scopes and obligations—not the same thing at different prices.
If you’re not sure whether a long-term contract makes sense, a one-time audit with an action plan is a good intermediate step. According to Marketing Sharks, this typically costs between 500 and 1,500 euros in Estonia (Marketing Sharks: How to Choose an SEO Agency).
4. The cheapest offer may actually be a risk
Google’s own guide on hiring an SEO specialist warns that no one can guarantee the top spot on Google (Google Search Central: Do You Need an SEO Specialist?). Google’s spam policies classify the buying or selling of links to influence search rankings as link spam.
This explains part of the price difference. Link-building offers vary in both price and risk: a link earned through high-quality content and collaboration requires effort, while a purchased link is faster and cheaper but violates Google’s guidelines. If a cheap offer promises a “guaranteed top ranking,” it’s not a more affordable version of the same service—it’s a red flag. If the guarantee is tied to something else—such as an agreed-upon scope of work or metrics—ask exactly what is being guaranteed and what happens if the desired results aren’t achieved.
The next step is simple. Ask each agency—including us—to send a proposal that specifies the breakdown of tasks, monthly working hours, the minimum contract period, and the method for obtaining links. If any of these details are missing or the response is vague, that in itself is an answer.
Key Points
- You can only compare two SEO offers once you know what percentage of the work is devoted to technical aspects, content, and backlinks, because completely different services are often sold under the same name.
- The monthly fee should be converted into working hours: According to Marketing Sharks’ estimate, a monthly fee of 700 euros buys approximately 8–12 hours of work.
- You should compare the total cost for the entire contract period, including the audit and minimum contract period, not just the monthly fee.
- A promise of a guaranteed top spot on Google is, according to Google’s own guidelines, a red flag—not a cheaper version of the same service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SEO cost per month in Estonia?
The agencies’ own figures vary: Marketing Sharks cites a range of 500–2,500 euros per month, Upspace Digital 250–1,000 euros per month, and an average of about 350–500 euros. According to Marketing Sharks, SEO for small businesses usually falls within the range of 400–1,500 euros per month.
Does it make sense to get a one-time SEO audit without a monthly contract?
Yes, if you want to understand what needs to be improved on your website before committing to a long-term contract. According to Marketing Sharks, an audit with an action plan typically costs between 500 and 1,500 euros in Estonia. However, the audit itself won’t produce results—you’ll need to implement the improvements yourself or with someone’s help.
How quickly will you see SEO results?
Marketing Sharks estimates that the first results will appear in 4–6 months, and Upspace Digital says that campaigns typically last at least 6 months. You should be wary of any offer that promises a quick number-one ranking, because according to Google’s guidelines, no one can guarantee the top spot.
Sources: Marketing Sharks · Marketing Sharks · Marketing Sharks · Ahrefs · Upspace Digital · Dopamin · Google Search Central · Google Search Central
