You can check if a site is really SEO-optimized by tracking its keyword rankings as this is a clear indicator of how well different pages are performing. Next, have a look at its page load speed. Bounce rate increases if your page takes longer than three seconds to load and visitors are more likely to abandon it. If the website’s technical structure, meaning its UX and UI are well-designed, easy to navigate, and clear enough to understand, then it has likely been SEO-optimized. Other measures for a site’s SEO include its mobile friendliness, as well as its content quality and relevance.

You can consider a search engine company as “good” if they have a thorough understanding of your target demographic, and create a digital marketing campaign that directly addresses their needs. You want to make sure that the SEO company does not just use the same cookie cutter strategies for every client they work with or campaign that they handle. One of the best ways for determining their results are from case studies, third-party review websites, and client retention rate.

On average, the cheapest costs for search engine optimization and digital marketing services are about $500 a month. However, this is for companies who are just starting out or who are looking to save. If your budget permits, expect to pay a lot more. More often than not, the average costs for SEO in California and the US are about $2,500 to $10,000 monthly.

Note that costs for search engine optimization depend on which specific services you opt for. SEO companies may have different pricing models—whether they charge a retainer fee which is most common, per project, or on an hourly basis. In some cases, they may be able to customize their packages, so it’s best to reach out personally to get a quotation (which is usually free).