SEO quotation template: what a good SEO quote should include
Whether you are an agency writing a quote or a business owner comparing three of them, the same structure tells you if a proposal is serious. Use the template below as a starting point, then read the checklist for comparing quotes.
The SEO quotation template
Copy these sections into your own document, in this order:
- Summary. One paragraph: the business, the goal and the recommended plan in plain words.
- Goals. Measurable ones, tied to the business: more calls for a service, rankings in named towns, more booked jobs. Not just "more traffic".
- What we found. The three to five most important findings from the audit: technical problems, missing pages, Google Business Profile gaps, competitor strengths.
- The work. What happens in month one, then every month after: pages written, fixes made, listings built, reviews requested.
- Not included. Ad spend, photography, copy the client must supply, anything else outside scope.
- Price. Set-up fee if any, monthly fee, and what each line buys. Taxes stated.
- Reporting. What you will report (calls, forms, rankings, Search Console data), how often, and who explains it.
- Terms. Contract length, notice period, who owns the website, content and accounts.
- Proof. Real examples or references. Never invented numbers.
What makes a quote easy to say yes to
- It is specific to the business. It names their services, towns and competitors.
- It is short. Two to four pages beats twenty.
- It prices outcomes the client cares about, and explains how they will be measured.
- It is honest about timing. Local SEO often moves within a few months; competitive city-wide rankings take longer.
Red flags when you are comparing SEO quotes
- Guaranteed number-one rankings. Nobody controls Google’s results.
- No list of monthly work, only "ongoing optimization".
- Bulk backlinks or link packages. Buying links to manipulate rankings breaks Google’s spam policies.
- The agency owns your website or Google Business Profile.
- Long lock-in contracts with no exit.
How much should an SEO quote be?
For local businesses around Edmonton, monthly SEO retainers commonly run from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on competition, the number of services and towns, and how much content is needed. Read our breakdown of what SEO costs in Edmonton or ask for a free audit and a written quote.
Want a real quote instead of a template?
Ask for a free audit. We look at your site, Google Business Profile and competitors, then send a plain-language plan with exactly what we would do each month and what it costs. No lock-in contract, and you keep the audit either way. See our SEO service for the full scope.
Sources
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide, Google Search Central
- Spam policies for Google web search, Google Search Central
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