Local SEO
Local SEO priced around a guarantee.
Two ways to work with me. Both get you Top 3 on Google Maps, guaranteed. The only question is whether you want me to hand it back or hold it for you.
How much does local SEO cost with Stoughton Media?
Two options. Rank & Release is $2,500 flat, one time. Rank & Maintain is $500 to start plus $1,500/mo, and it drops to $1,250/mo permanently the day you hit Top 3.
| How it works | Rank & Release $2,500 flat Rank it, then it's yours Start here | Most chosen Rank & Maintain $1,500/mo $500 onboarding · month to month Choose Maintain |
|---|---|---|
| The goal | Get to Top 3, then hand it back to you | Get to Top 3, then keep you there |
| The guarantee | Top 3 in 90 days (120 in tough markets) | Top 3 in 90 days (120 in tough markets) |
| Onboarding fee | None | $500 (waived if you switch from Release) |
| What's included | Full optimization to Top 3, then a final report you can act on yourself | Weekly GBP posts, competitor monitoring, ranking reports, continued optimization |
| Loyalty drop | – | Rate drops to $1,250/mo once you're ranked, permanently |
| Commitment | One-time engagement, then done | Month to month, cancel anytime |
| Best for | Businesses confident they can hold a ranking once it's won | Businesses that want it handled for good |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile to compare both options.
How does the guarantee actually work?
If you're not Top 3 by day 91 (or day 121 in highly competitive markets), your monthly charge pauses. You stop paying until I get you there. Once you're ranked, your rate drops for good.
The line is 90 days, or 120
In standard markets you should be Top 3 by day 90. If your market is highly competitive, I'll put you on a 120-day guarantee up front and tell you which one you're in before you pay a cent.
If you're not there, the meter stops
Miss day 91 in a standard market, or day 121 in a competitive one, and your monthly charge pauses automatically. I keep working, you keep your money, until you're in the Top 3.
Once you're ranked, the rate drops
The day you hit Top 3, your monthly rate on Rank & Maintain permanently drops to $1,250/mo as a loyalty thank-you. It never goes back up.
What if I start with Rank & Release and want to keep going?
Easy. You move to Rank & Maintain and I waive the $500 onboarding fee. You've already paid for the setup once, so there's no reason to pay for it twice.
A lot of Release clients see the rankings land, watch the calls start coming in, and decide they'd rather I just keep it locked down. When that happens, you slide straight into the monthly plan with no restart cost, and once you're holding Top 3 you're on the $1,250/mo loyalty rate.
Straight answers
The questions you're already thinking.
I already have someone doing SEO.
That's great. Are they guaranteeing Top 3 in 90 days? If not, it might be worth a second opinion, and the audit is free.
How do I know you can actually rank me?
Fair question. I ranked a local jewelry store to #3 in her area. I'm happy to show you the results and send a free video audit of your listing first.
It's too expensive.
What's one new customer worth to your business? If it's more than $1,500, the retainer pays for itself. And if I don't rank you in 90 days, you don't pay until I do.
I need to think about it.
Totally fair. Can I send you a quick video showing exactly what I'd fix on your listing? No cost, no commitment, just want you to see what's possible.
I don't have time right now.
I'll do all the work. Your job is just to approve changes and read my monthly report. Takes about 10 minutes of your time per month.
90 days seems aggressive for my market.
You're right that some markets take longer. If yours is competitive, I'll be upfront with you, I'd put you on a 120-day guarantee instead of 90. Either way, I keep working until you're in the Top 3, no extra charge.
I just need a website, not SEO.
Totally. I build fully customized sites starting at $750, built fast. And whenever you're ready to get found on Google, that's there for you too.
Keep going
Where to next
No pitch. No pressure.
Let's see what's holding your ranking back.
I'll record a free video audit of your Google listing showing exactly what's missing and what I'd fix. No cost, no obligation. I just want you to see what's possible.
founder@stoughtonmedia.com