Plenty of SEO firms want you signed up for 6 or 12 months before they lift a finger. They’ll tell you it’s because SEO takes time. That part’s true. A long contract still isn’t the only way to give SEO the time it needs, and in my opinion it’s usually the wrong one.
Can you get SEO without a long contract?
Yes. Plenty of freelancers and smaller firms work month to month. I’ve worked on a 30 day rolling basis for years and I wouldn’t go back. If someone tells you it’s impossible to do good SEO without a 12 month tie-in, they’re telling you about their business model, not about SEO.
Who does a long SEO contract really protect?
Mostly the provider. If the work’s good, you’ll want to stay anyway. If it isn’t, the contract keeps you paying regardless. That takes away the pressure to keep earning your business, and I think that pressure is healthy. I like knowing I have to be worth it every month.
The people I feel for are the ones who ring me six months into a year-long deal, with nothing to show for it and another six months to pay. You’d be surprised how often that happens.
How does 30 day rolling work with me?
It’s £125 a week, about £18 a day, with no minimum term. Either of us can end it with 30 days’ written notice. There’s no setup fee and no exit fee. You also get a live reporting portal you can log into any time, so you’re never relying on me to tell you how it’s going.
That’s it. The full wording is in my terms, and it’s short. You can see what’s included on my SEO campaigns page.
Doesn’t SEO take months to work?
Busier searches often do, yes. That’s exactly why I’d rather earn your patience than force it. You should see signs of progress well before the big rankings move. Fixes made. Your Google listing busier. New pages going up. Reviews coming in. Some of the map pack work can show results in weeks.
If you’re seeing all that, you’ll happily give it time. If you’re not, you shouldn’t be stuck.
What do you keep if you leave?
This matters as much as the contract length. Your website, your domain, your Google Business Profile, your Analytics and your Search Console should all be in your name. With me they are. If you leave, you keep the lot, along with every page I’ve written.
Some firms own the site they built for you, or keep your listing under their account. Then leaving means starting again. Always check.
What should you check before signing any SEO contract?
Start with the minimum term and the notice period, then look for any setup, cancellation or exit fees tucked further down. Check whether the price rises after an introductory period, because a cheap first three months is a common hook.
Then ask about ownership. Who owns the website, the domain and the content they write? Whose account will your Google listing sit in? And what happens to the links and directory listings they’ve built if you leave? Get the answers in writing before you sign anything.
More on vetting providers in how to choose the right SEO company.
How will you know it’s working without a contract to judge it by?
By watching the things that matter to your business. More calls, more form enquiries, more WhatsApp messages and more people finding you in the Google map. Rankings for your main searches are useful too, but they’re a means to an end. If the phone isn’t ringing more after a few months, something needs to change.
That’s why every client gets a live reporting portal they can check whenever they like, plus a plain update from me on what I’ve done and what’s next. Nothing hidden behind a monthly PDF. If you want to see what a fair month of work looks like, read what do you get for a monthly SEO fee? and how many hours of SEO should you get each month?
SEO without the tie-in
Fill in the form and I’ll look at your website and Google listing, then tell you honestly what I’d do first. No contract to sign and no pressure.
If you want me to crack on, it’s £125 a week, about £18 a day, on a 30 day rolling basis.
Free website check
Checked by me, not a tool.
Rather message? WhatsApp 07463 631121 or call 0151 402 0925.
Questions people ask me
Is your SEO really no contract?
It’s 30 day rolling. No minimum term, and either of us can end it with 30 days’ written notice.
Is there a setup fee?
No.
How much is it?
£125 a week, which is about £18 a day.
How long should I give it?
A few months is fair for busier searches. You should see progress like listing improvements and new pages before then.
Do I keep my website if I leave?
Yes. Everything is in your name.
What about my Google Business Profile?
It stays yours. I’m added as a manager and removed when you leave.
Why do other companies want 12 months?
It guarantees their income. It doesn’t make SEO work any faster.
Can I come back after leaving?
Of course. Just drop me a message.
Do you offer hosting on the same terms?
Yes. Hosting is an optional extra from £15 a month, or from £20 for larger ecommerce sites, with no long contract. See website hosting.
Keep reading
How much does SEO cost in the UK? puts my price in context. What do you get for a monthly SEO fee? covers what the money buys, and do you need an SEO company? helps you decide whether to spend it at all.
Hi, I’m PeteSEO without the tie-in
£125 a week, 30 day rolling, everything in your name. Send me your website and I’ll tell you honestly what I’d do with it.
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