How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Website On The First Page Of Google?

Getting your website on the first page of Google is a goal almost every business owner, freelancer, or content creator shares.

I get it—it’s where all the attention goes.

Over 90% of searchers never go past the first page of results. So if you’re not there, you’re missing out on traffic, leads, and probably a lot of sales too.

But the big question I hear all the time is this: “How much is it actually going to cost me to get there?”
The truth? There isn’t a simple one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your industry, your goals, your competition, and how you choose to get there.

In this post, I’m going to break it all down—real numbers, real strategies, and what you can expect, whether you’re doing SEO yourself, hiring someone, or running paid ads. No fluff. Just honest, practical info that helps you make smart decisions.

Why the First Page of Google Matters So Much

Let’s start with this: Being on page one means visibility. It means more people are seeing your website when they’re actively searching for something you offer.

Some quick stats:

• 68% of all clicks go to the top five organic results on Google.

• The #1 result gets about 27.6% of all clicks.
  (Source: Backlinko)

If you’re not ranking on page one, you’re basically invisible to most searchers. And it doesn’t matter how beautiful your site is or how great your service is—if people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you.

Two Main Ways to Get on Page One

There are just two paths to the first page of Google:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

2. Google Ads (Pay-Per-Click or PPC)

Both work—but they have different timelines, budgets, and pros and cons. Let’s break them down.

How Much Does SEO Cost?

Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving your website so that Google shows it higher in the search results organically—meaning, not paid.

DIY SEO (Free to $100/month)

If you’re doing it yourself, the main investment is your time. You might pay for tools like:

• Ahrefs or SEMrush: $99–$129/month (for keyword research and audits)

• Yoast SEO (for WordPress users): Free to $99/year

• Surfer SEO or RankMath for on-page optimization

You’ll also be spending time learning how to:

• Write good content that matches search intent

• Build backlinks from other websites

• Make your site fast and mobile-friendly

Pros: Cheap
Cons: Time-consuming, steep learning curve

Hiring a Freelance SEO ($500 to $2,000/month)

If you’d rather have someone do it for you, freelancers can be a good middle-ground. You might pay:

• $500–$1,000/month for local SEO (like a small business targeting their city)

• $1,000–$2,000+/month for national or competitive niches

Freelancers can help with:

• Keyword research

• Optimizing your content

• Building quality backlinks

• Technical fixes on your site

Tip: Make sure they use ethical “white-hat” strategies—no spammy shortcuts.

Hiring an SEO Agency ($1,500 to $10,000+/month)

Agencies offer full-service SEO, and the price reflects that. This route is best if you’re in a competitive space and want quicker, more professional results.

• Small business packages: $1,500–$3,000/month

• E-commerce or competitive niches: $5,000–$10,000/month or more

Good agencies will give you monthly reports, clear deliverables, and a custom strategy.

How Long Does SEO Take?

This is key: SEO isn’t fast. You’re usually looking at 3 to 6 months before seeing real movement, and 6 to 12 months to hit top positions—especially in competitive markets.

How Much Do Google Ads Cost?

If you don’t want to wait, Google Ads can get you on the first page tomorrow. You bid on keywords, and if your ad wins, it shows at the top of the search results.

Typical Costs

• Cost-Per-Click (CPC): Anywhere from $1 to $100+ depending on the keyword

  • Legal, finance, and insurance terms can be $50–$100 per click

  • Less competitive niches may be $1–$5 per click

• Monthly budgets:

  • Small businesses: $500–$2,000/month

  • Mid-size companies: $2,000–$10,000+/month

  • Enterprises: $10,000–$100,000+/month

You’ll also need to factor in management fees if you hire a PPC specialist or agency, which is usually:

• Freelancer: $300–$1,000/month

• Agency: 10–20% of ad spend or flat rate

Pros and Cons of Google Ads

Pros:

• Immediate results

• High-intent traffic

• You only pay when someone clicks

Cons:

• Can get expensive fast

• Traffic stops as soon as you stop paying

• Takes testing to get it profitable

Quick Comparison: SEO vs Google Ads

What Impacts the Cost of Getting to Page One?

There’s no flat rate because it depends on things like:

• Your niche: Are you in real estate or something less competitive like vintage watches?

• Your starting point: Are you building a new site or already ranking on page two?

• Your goals: Local exposure? National domination?

• Your competition: Are you up against big brands?

• Your strategy: Are you investing in content, backlinks, ads—or all three?

Is It Worth It?

Short answer: Absolutely—if it’s done right.

Getting to the first page of Google can lead to:

• More website traffic

• Higher trust and authority

• More leads and sales

• Lower ad costs over time (with SEO)

But if you just throw money at it without a strategy, or hire someone shady who promises “page one in 2 weeks,” you’re probably wasting your cash.

FAQs

Can I guarantee a first-page ranking?

No. And anyone who says they can is lying or using risky tactics that might get your site penalized. Google’s algorithm changes constantly.

Should I do SEO or Google Ads?

Ideally both. Ads give you fast traffic while SEO builds long-term momentum. But if your budget’s tight, pick the one that fits your timeline and goals.

How do I know if an SEO agency is legit?

Look for case studies, client reviews, and clear reporting. Ask what they’ll actually do each month—not just “improve your SEO.”

Can I get to the first page for free?

If you’re in a low-competition niche and you’re willing to put in the work, yes—it’s possible. But it still takes time and consistency.

Final Thoughts

Getting on the first page of Google can be a game-changer for your business. But it takes planning, smart investment, and a little patience.

Some people get there by mastering SEO themselves. Others prefer to hire help or run ads. There’s no right or wrong way—just what fits your goals and budget.

So now the real question is:
How much are you willing to invest to get your website on the first page of Google?