Pay For Performance SEO Vs. Monthly SEO Services

Performance  based SEO, or pay-for-performance SEO (PFP SEO), is based on achieving results and allowing clients to pay the agency after they have obtained them.

In contrast, retainer SEO is an old-school method wherein you must pay the SEO Company whether or not you get results.

Since Monthly SEO Services often involve ongoing costs without guaranteed results, PFP SEO is a more attractive and efficient choice for businesses aiming to maximize their ROI.

What is Pay for Performance SEO?

Pay-for-performance SEO, or performance-based SEO, is a pricing model where you only pay an SEO agency when they achieve specific results you agree on beforehand. These results typically focus on:

Also Read: Why Pay-for-Performance SEO Is the Right Choice

• Keyword rankings: 

Moving your website up in search results for chosen keywords, ideally to the first page.

• Organic website traffic: 

Increasing the number of visitors who find your site through search engines.

Source:PATHFINDER SEO

How PFP SEO Works

PFP SEO works by setting goals, deciding fees and agreements and finally reporting ongoing developments.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Goal Setting

Clear, measurable goals are established. These goals can include higher search engine rankings for specific keywords, increased organic traffic, lead generation, or improved conversion rates. Both parties agree on the specific targets that will define success.

• Keyword Research: 

Identify high-potential keywords relevant to the business and have a reasonable search volume and competition level. Focus on both short-term and long-term keywords.

• Content Gaps: 

Analyze the current content to identify gaps and opportunities for creating or optimizing content that addresses user intent and ranks well.

• Technical SEO Issues: 

Identify and prioritize technical SEO issues that need to be addressed, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawl errors, and indexing issues.

• Backlink Profile: 

Evaluate the quality and quantity of backlinks and identify opportunities for acquiring high-quality links.

Define Specific, Measurable Goals

• SMART Goals: 

PFP SEO experts ensure that all goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This provides clarity and makes it easier to track progress.

Establish Baseline Metrics

• Current Performance Benchmarks: 

Establish baseline metrics for the identified goals’ current performance levels. This could include current keyword rankings, organic traffic levels, conversion rates, and backlink count.

• Analytics Setup: 

Ensure the proper setup of analytics tools to track these metrics accurately over time. This includes configuring goals and events in Google Analytics, setting up keyword tracking in SEO tools, and monitoring backlink acquisition.

Agreement and Fees

In pay-for-Performance models, the agreement and fees are structured based on achieving specific performance goals. Here’s a detailed explanation of how this process typically works

• Consultation: 

The process begins with an initial consultation between the SEO provider and the client. The client’s business goals, target audience, current SEO status, and key performance indicators (KPIs) are discussed during this meeting.

• Proposal: 

Based on the goals and current SEO analysis, the SEO provider develops a proposal outlining the strategies and tactics that will be employed to achieve the desired outcomes. This proposal includes a detailed action plan, a timeline, and the metrics that will be used to measure success.

• Contract Development: 

The proposal is formalized into a contract that clearly outlines the agreed-upon goals, the responsibilities of both parties, the methods of performance measurement, and the terms and conditions of the agreement.

This contract ensures that both parties are aligned on expectations and deliverables.

Regular Reporting and Communication

The SEO agency will track your website’s performance using SEO tools. They’ll provide you with regular reports (usually monthly) that detail progress toward your goals. These reports might include:

• Changes in keyword rankings
• Increase in organic traffic
• Backlink profile analysis
• Conversion tracking
• On-Page SEO analysis
• Executive Summary
• Competitor analysis
• Landing page report
• Site health audit score
• Data about micro conversions

Advantages & Myths Of  Performance-Based SEO

 

Aspect	Advantages	Myths
Cost-effectiveness	Only pay for results achieved, making it a cost-effective approach.	Quality of service may vary, leading to inconsistent results.
Accountability	SEO providers are more accountable for delivering results.	Good only for short-term gains.
Focus on Results	Ensures that efforts are directed towards achieving specific goals.	Outcomes are inherently uncertain, making it difficult to guarantee results.
Measurable ROI	Easier to measure return on investment with clear performance metrics.	Contracts can be complex and hard to negotiate, leading to potential misunderstandings.
Performance Incentives	Providers are motivated to perform better due to performance-based payments.	Heavy reliance on the provider’s capabilities leads to dependency.
Resource Optimization	Allows for better allocation of marketing budgets based on performance.	Providers might use unethical (black-hat) techniques to achieve quick results, risking penalties.

Why is Performance-Based SEO for you?

• Pay for results, not promises.
• Agency success depends on yours – win-win.
• Data shows what’s working and optimizes campaigns.
• Clear goals & tracking keeps everyone accountable.
• Flexible contracts & easy cancellation for peace of mind.

What are Monthly SEO Services (Retainer SEO)?

Monthly SEO services are ongoing plans offered by SEO agencies or freelancers to improve your website’s search engine ranking and organic traffic over time.

BrightEdge says, “68% of online experiences begin with a search engine.”

Unlike a one-time SEO audit or project, monthly SEO is retainer-based, meaning you pay a set fee every month whether or not you get satisfactory results.

Here’s a breakdown of what monthly SEO services typically include:

• In-depth SEO Analysis: 

Source: Semrush

Review your website’s technical SEO health, competitor analysis, and initial keyword research.

• On-Page Optimization: 

Optimizing your website’s content and structure for search engines includes optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt tags.

• Content Creation and Strategy: 

Some plans may include content creation, such as blog posts or website copy, specifically targeted towards relevant keywords.

• Link Building: 

Building high-quality backlinks to your website from other reputable sites is crucial to SEO. Strategies to acquire these links may be included in monthly SEO services.

How It Works

Monthly SEO services follow a collaborative approach between you and an SEO agency to improve your website’s search ranking and organic traffic over a sustained period. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:

Initial Consultation and Analysis:

• You’ll discuss your goals and target audience with the SEO agency.
• The agency will thoroughly analyze your website’s technical SEO, competitor landscape, and initial keyword research. This helps them understand your current SEO standing and identify areas for improvement.

Strategy Development and Agreement:

• Based on the analysis, the agency will propose a customized SEO strategy. This might involve recommendations for on-page optimization, content creation, link building, and technical SEO improvements.
• You’ll work with the agency to refine the strategy and agree on clear goals and deliverables. This may include target keywords you want to rank for and expected improvements in organic traffic.

Ongoing Implementation and Optimization:

• Optimizing your website’s content and structure for search engines (on-page optimization).
• Creating high-quality content targeted at relevant keywords (content creation).
• Building backlinks to your website from reputable sources (link building).
• Addressing technical SEO issues ensures search engines can easily crawl and index your site.

Source: Semrush

Why Retainer SEO isn’t for you:

• Regular monthly payments can add up over time.
• Results may take longer to manifest, requiring patience.
• Potential complacency from the provider over time.
• May involve paying for services that don’t show immediate ROI.
• Switching providers can be challenging and disruptive.

Bottom Line:

While pay-per-performance SEO and monthly SEO services offer valuable benefits, a performance-based SEO plan is the superior choice for many businesses.

Its cost-effectiveness ensures you only pay for pre-determined results, providing a clear return on investment.  Plus, it drives SEO providers to focus on delivering measurable outcomes, fostering accountability, and achieving high performance.

Read more:

How Important Pay For Performance SEO Services Is For Your Company?

How Does Pay-for-Performance SEO Save You Money?