What we do
Search engine optimisation is the work of making your site easy for Google to understand and easy for customers to choose. For a small business that usually means five things, done in order.
- An SEO audit. We check how Google sees your site today: structure, speed, mobile layout, page titles, and where you are losing visitors. From R1,500.
- On-page and technical SEO. Clear headings, descriptive titles, fast pages and the technical settings that let Google read the site properly.
- Local SEO and Google Business Profile. Setup from R800, so you appear on Google Maps when people nearby search for what you do.
- Content that answers real questions. Useful pages and guides built around what your customers actually type into Google.
- Tracking and reporting. Google Analytics set up from R500, and a monthly report that says what moved and what we will do next.
What SEO costs in South Africa
Published agency price guides put monthly SEO in South Africa at roughly R3,000 for basic work up to R15,000 or more for competitive campaigns, with once-off audits commonly between R3,000 and R12,000 (see this cost guide and this one). GDS keeps small-business SEO more accessible:
- SEO audit: from R1,500
- Google Business Profile setup: from R800
- Google Analytics setup: from R500
- Monthly SEO: from R2,000 a month
Scope differs between providers, so compare what is actually included, not just the number, and check whether quotes include VAT. Our guide to what SEO costs in South Africa shows how to compare quotes properly.
SEO is already built into every package
If you are getting a new website, you do not need to buy SEO separately to be found. Basic SEO and Google Analytics come with our Foundation package, and Structure adds advanced SEO, a blog and speed optimisation. Monthly SEO is for businesses that want steady, ongoing growth on top. You can also book SEO on its own for a site you already have.
What SEO can and cannot promise
No honest provider can guarantee a number one ranking, because Google decides, and rankings move. What we can do is fix what is holding you back, publish things worth finding, and show you the numbers every month. Meaningful movement usually takes a few months, so SEO suits businesses planning ahead, not those needing customers next week. For faster results while SEO builds, social media management and ads can work alongside it.
Who it suits
- Local service businesses that want the phone to ring: trades, salons, clinics and repairs. See our guide to local SEO in South Africa and our Google Business Profile setup guide.
- Online stores that need product and category pages to be found. See our e-commerce service.
- B2B and professional firms whose buyers research before they call.
How much do SEO services cost in South Africa?
Published guides put monthly SEO at about R3,000 to R15,000 or more, and once-off audits at R3,000 to R12,000. GDS audits start at R1,500, Google Business Profile setup at R800 and monthly SEO at R2,000 a month, with scope agreed before you pay.
How long does SEO take to work?
Meaningful movement usually takes a few months of consistent work. Google needs time to crawl changes, and local rankings depend on reviews and consistent business details. SEO is a steady process rather than a quick fix.
Do you guarantee a number one ranking on Google?
No, and be wary of anyone who does. We fix the technical and content issues holding you back, report on progress every month, and keep improving what works.
Do I need SEO if I already use social media or ads?
They do different jobs. Ads and social bring visitors while you pay or post, and SEO builds visibility that keeps working. Many businesses use them together.
Can you do SEO on a website you did not build?
Yes, in most cases. SEO services can be booked on their own, and an audit tells us what is possible on your current site before you spend more.