If you’re asking “what does SEO cost in New Zealand?” — you’re not alone. Thousands of Kiwi businesses search for answers every month. The truth? SEO pricing in NZ varies depending on your business size, goals, and the agency you hire.
Below, we break down the average cost of SEO in New Zealand, so you know what to budget.
Let’s explore some numbers.
For in-depth information on what would SEO cost for your business call us at 09 390 3997 to discuss your requirements with an SEO specialist. Book an SEO audit for your website.
Average SEO Costs in NZ
| Service Type | Average Cost (NZD) | Best For |
| Monthly Retainer | $1,837 – $6,300+ | Ongoing SEO for small–medium businesses |
| Monthly Retainer | $6,850 – $12,900 | Ongoing SEO for enterprise business |
| One-off SEO Project | $5,000 – $25,000 | Website rebuilds, migrations, penalty recovery, or major campaigns |
| Hourly SEO Consulting | $150 – $300 | Strategy sessions, training, audits |
| SEO Audit | $1,500 – $5,000 | Businesses wanting a roadmap before investing |
SEO Costs for Small Businesses
Small businesses in NZ often spend between $1,800 – $3,500 per month on SEO. This typically includes:
- Keyword research
- On-page SEO
- Content optimisation
- Local SEO (Google Business Profile, maps, citations)
- Monthly reporting
Tip: Avoid “cheap SEO” (e.g. $200/month). These usually involve spammy links or outdated tactics that can hurt your rankings.
SEO Pricing for Enterprise Business & E-commerce
- Enterprise SEO: $6,850+ per month, due to scale, technical depth, and content demands.
- E-commerce SEO: Often $3,000+ per month, depending on product range and competition.
SEO Packages vs. Custom Pricing
Some NZ agencies advertise “SEO packages” with fixed deliverables. Others (like enterprise agencies) create custom strategies.
When comparing SEO plans, look beyond the price tag. Ask:
- How many hours of work are included?
- Is content creation part of the package?
- Will you build external links, or is that extra?
- Do you provide reporting & transparency?
Why Do SEO Costs Vary So Much?
- Competition in your industry (e.g. local plumber vs. national e-commerce site).
- Scope of services (technical SEO, content, backlinks, local SEO, GEO, AI).
- Agency experience (junior freelancer vs. specialist team).
- Timeline & goals (ranking in 6 months vs. 18 months).
How Much Should You Budget for SEO in NZ?
- Small businesses: $1,000 – $2,500 per month
- Medium businesses: $2,500 – $5,000 per month
- Large/enterprise: $5,000+ per month
The key is ROI: a strong SEO strategy should generate leads or sales that far outweigh the cost.
FAQ – answers to your SEO questions
Q: What is the average cost of SEO in New Zealand?
Most NZ businesses pay between $1,850 – $3,900 per month.
Q: What’s included in an SEO audit?
We review your website starting with the words and pictures through to how it is built, the software set-up, internal links, and how fast it loads. Then we start working on your current keywords, blog articles and we do a content analysis. Lastly we look at your search rankings, external links and then review the gaps in your current content and keywords where we can get SEO quick wins for you. All this is written into a detailed report which we send you.
Q: How much does a detailed SEO audit cost?
A one-off SEO audit costs $1,500 – $5,000 depending on website size. If you hire numero® we include an SEO audit AND SEO strategy in your monthly fee. A basic SEO audit is available free of charge to you – register here.
Q: Is SEO worth it for small businesses?
Yes. When done properly, SEO drives consistent traffic and leads, often with a higher ROI than ads.
Q: How long does SEO take to see results?
The fastest results can come from technical on-page SEO which may show results within weeks because once your website is correctly structured it will be correctly indexed by Google. However, GBP can also be very fast. Content SEO is the next fastest as we build the keyword hierarchy that aligns with your business products. Month by month we add new content – when you have a good back catalogue of content, this becomes more effective as an SEO strategy. Lastly, link building is the long-burn in our SEO services. It works, but not overnight.
Q: How much does SEO cost for small businesses?
Small businesses typically spend $1,800 – $2,500 per month for ongoing SEO.
