Whether you want to attract customers in your local area or position your brand nationally, your visibility on Google determines how consistently you generate traffic, leads, and sales. But one question every business owner eventually asks is: How much does it cost to do SEO in Kenya?
Here, we break down the real costs of SEO services in Kenya, what influences pricing, how much you should expect to pay each month, and how to choose an SEO package that delivers results without overspending.
Also Read: How Long Does SEO Take to Show Results?
How Much Does SEO Cost in Kenya?
In Kenya, SEO typically costs between KES 20,000 and KES 150,000 per month, depending on the type of business, level of competition, scope of work, and the SEO provider’s experience. Smaller businesses with low-competition keywords may pay on the lower end of the spectrum, while companies in competitive niches such as finance, real estate, travel, or e-commerce often require more comprehensive SEO packages.
For startups and SMEs, a realistic starting budget ranges from KES 20,000 to KES 40,000 per month. Mid-sized businesses often see the best ROI within KES 40,000 to KES 80,000 per month, while highly competitive brands may invest KES 100,000+.
Breakdown of SEO Services Prices & Packages in Kenya
SEO pricing varies because different businesses require different levels of optimization. Below is a realistic and practical breakdown of what each price range typically includes in Kenya’s digital marketing environment.
1. Basic SEO Packages (KES 20,000 – 40,000 per month)
This category is well-suited for small businesses targeting a single area or low-competition keywords. Packages in this range usually include foundational SEO tasks such as essential keyword research, on-page optimization of key pages, basic technical fixes, Google Business Profile optimization, and monthly ranking reports. They are designed to help new or small websites become more visible without straining the budget.
2. Standard SEO Packages (KES 40,000 – 80,000 per month)
This is the most common range for SMEs in Kenya. It typically includes in-depth keyword research, technical audits, content optimization, creation of SEO-focused blog posts, local SEO strategies, internal linking improvements, backlink building, and detailed performance tracking. Businesses looking to scale traffic steadily and rank for competitive keywords often find the best performance within this price range.
3. Advanced SEO Packages (KES 80,000 – 120,000+ per month)
These packages are ideal for businesses in competitive niches or companies targeting national-level rankings. They usually include enterprise-level technical SEO, content marketing strategies, conversion optimization, aggressive link building, multi-location SEO, ongoing keyword gap analysis, and regular strategy meetings. E-commerce stores with many products and corporates with large websites often operate in this tier.
How Much Does It Cost to Do SEO in Kenya Per Month?
Monthly SEO investment remains the most effective pricing model because SEO requires consistent optimization, publishing, monitoring, and adjusting. On average, businesses in Kenya spend between KES 20,000 and KES 80,000 per month, depending on their competition and growth goals.
Startups or small local businesses sometimes begin with KES 20,000, while companies that need more aggressive ranking strategies often invest above KES 60,000. E-commerce stores, law firms, real estate companies, and travel-related businesses often require higher budgets due to the competitiveness of their industries.
Local SEO Prices in Kenya
Local SEO is one of the most in-demand services in Kenya, especially for salons, clinics, real estate agents, lawyers, hotels, contractors, and SMEs. Local SEO pricing typically ranges from KES 20,000 to KES 40,000 per month, depending on how competitive your area and industry are. This type of SEO usually includes:
- Optimization of your Google Business Profile
- Local keyword targeting
- Location page optimization
- Local citations
- Reviews management strategies
- Ranking improvements for “near me” search terms.
Businesses targeting only Nairobi or one town may require simpler setups, while multi-location businesses like clinics, real estate agencies, or retail chains may require higher-tier packages. As the best SEO consultant in Nairobi, Artly Digital Marketing offers affordable local SEO prices in Kenya that still deliver measurable improvements in calls, map views, and customer visits.
What Affects SEO Costs in Kenya?
Many factors influence how much you end up paying for SEO. Understanding them ensures you choose a package appropriate for your goals instead of settling for unrealistic promises.
- Your industry competition: Industries like real estate, finance, law, and e-commerce are more competitive, requiring more time, content, and backlinks.
- The size and age of your website: A website with hundreds of pages requires more optimization than a simple five-page site. Newly launched websites also require more groundwork than websites with an established history.
- Your target locations: Ranking in Nairobi alone is generally easier than ranking nationwide. Multi-location SEO increases the workload and, therefore, the cost.
- The scope of SEO services needed: Some businesses need technical SEO only, while others need content creation for digital marketing, link building, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and local SEO. The wider the scope, the higher the pricing.
- The SEO provider’s expertise: Experienced and reputable SEO agencies tend to charge more than basic freelancers. However, paying for quality often saves money in the long run by preventing errors, penalties, or wasted time.
By understanding these factors, you can evaluate SEO providers more effectively and invest in a strategy that aligns with your business goals.
Also Read: Best Digital Marketing Agency In Nairobi, Kenya
Common SEO Pricing Models in Kenya
Top SEO companies in Kenya typically use several pricing models. Understanding these helps you pick an option that aligns with your business needs.
1. Monthly Retainer
This is the most common model. You pay a fixed monthly fee for continuous SEO work. It’s the most effective approach because ranking improvements require ongoing adjustments, updates, and content creation.
2. One-Time SEO Audit
This is ideal for businesses that want a technical diagnosis or want to understand what is preventing their website from ranking. Prices for SEO audits usually range from KES 20,000 to KES 40,000, depending on depth.
3. Project-Based SEO
This pricing model covers one-off SEO projects such as website restructuring, technical fixes, or content optimization. Project-based pricing works well for specific needs but does not replace ongoing monthly optimization.
4. Hourly SEO Consulting
Some businesses prefer paying per hour for strategy, troubleshooting, or training. Hourly rates in Kenya typically range from KES 1,500 to KES 7,000, depending on the consultant’s experience.
5. Performance-Based SEO
This model ties payments to specific outcomes, such as ranking improvements or leads. It is less common because SEO involves many factors outside an agency’s control, but some providers offer hybrid versions of this model.
Get Affordable SEO Services in Nairobi, Kenya
If you want reliable, long-term organic growth without inflated agency prices, Artly Digital Marketing offers some of the most affordable SEO packages & pricing in Kenya. Our team provides data-driven SEO strategies tailored to your industry, competition level, and business goals, ensuring that every coin you invest contributes directly to better visibility, stronger keywords, and improved conversions.
Contact Artly Digital Marketing today for a free SEO consultation and a customized quote.