Content Marketing Pricing: How Much Does Content Marketing Cost in 2023?

How much does content marketing cost?

Now that you know why your business needs content marketing, you’re probably wondering how much you should expect to shell out for a content plan that drives results. We have you covered.

On average, SMBs spend between $2000 and $12,000 for content marketing each month. Costs vary based on the services you select, the extent of your campaigns, the agency you work with, and other factors.

According to survey data from HubSpot, 39% of marketers said they spend 31-50% of their marketing budget on content marketing.

For larger companies, monthly content marketing costs may be as much as $80,000 and at the high end $200,000-$300,000.

Below, we break down how much you’ll pay for various content marketing services:

Content research cost

Before diving into content creation, it’s important to conduct initial research. An audit allows you to pinpoint areas of improvement, and it gives direction to your content strategy.

Unfortunately, there’s no industry standard when it comes to content research pricing. While some companies charge upwards of $25,000 (crazy, we know) for a content audit, others offer basic audits for $100 to $200.

At WebFX, we believe research is essential for effective content marketing. When you sign up for our content plans, we’ll take a deep dive into your existing content and conduct an initial audit to determine the best direction for your content marketing — and it’s included in the cost.

Website content cost

In 2023, the average SMB spends $2000 to $10,000 per month for custom website content. While some writers charge upwards of $25,000 per page (an obvious extreme), others charge only $1 to $2 per word.

Ultimately, the price you pay for website content depends on the agency or writer you choose. However, keep in mind that companies that advertise “cheap” content marketing services tend to provide just that — and “cheap” writing doesn’t drive results for your business.

If you’re looking to invest in website content that helps you rank in search results and attract more customers, you can expect to pay between $2000 and $10,000 per month.

Blog content cost

Like website content, writers and agencies charge anywhere from $100 to $2000 for a 2000-word blog post.

Typically, you can expect to pay more as word count increases. So, you’ll likely pay more for a 3000-word blog post than you would for an 800-word post, regardless of who you work with to create the content.

One perk of working with a content marketing agency is that they can offer custom content pricing to fit your needs. They consider the number and length of your blog posts, as well as other kinds of content, that you need to rank at the top of search results and get the best possible results.

Social media content cost

The price of social media content ranges from $1000 to $5000 per month. Generally, a number of factors impact the price you pay for social content, including:

• Number of channels: The more channels you use for social, the more you can expect to pay. Just remember — the more channels you use, the more customers you can reach. However, it’s important to pay attention to the channels your target audience uses. There’s no reason to pay to maintain your presence on a social channel your audience doesn’t use.
• Frequency of posts: Do you post to social once a week or several times a day? In general, you’ll pay more for more frequent posts.
• Monitoring/reporting: Some content marketing agencies — like WebFX — offer content monitoring and reporting as a part of their content plans. This allows you to analyze and optimize your content to reach even more customers. This feature is extremely important if you want to get the highest return on investment (ROI) possible, but it often comes with a higher price tag.
• Ad spend: The amount you’re willing to dish out for paid social ads also impacts the amount you’ll spend. At WebFX, we’ll help you monitor your ad spend to reach the most customers for the least amount of money.

Content updates cost

To maintain your search rankings and optimize your content to earn more traffic or even secure a featured snippet box, you’ll need to update your content regularly.

When you work with a content marketing agency, they often include this price as part of your monthly fee. At WebFX, we’ll help you continually monitor your content — as well as your competitors’ content — to implement updates that pack the most punch for your business.

Often, writers charge the same amount to expand or optimize existing content as they do to write new website copy — which means prices for content updates can range anywhere from $2000 to $10,000.

Content marketing models

When you want content for your site or social media, you have several options — and they impact your content marketing strategy pricing.

Freelancers

Freelancers or independent contractors can provide single pages of content or complete ongoing projects. Depending on the freelancer you use, they may charge by the word or a set price for a project.

While freelancers may seem appealing, it’s often difficult to find the right one for your project. You’ll want to be wary of freelancers who offer “cheap” writing services, as they often lack the expertise needed for your projects.

In-house

You also have the option to create content in-house. However, this means that you’ll need to pay someone (or a team of content writers). For most SMBs, it’s not worth the price to create content in-house.

If you want to create more content, you’ll need to hire more writers — a steep investment if you work with in-house writers. You’ll also have to invest in training to ensure that your in-house writers stay up-to-date with industry updates and have the technical knowledge needed to write content for your site.

Agencies

Finally, you can work with a full-service content marketing agency. Most agencies charge a monthly fee, and agencies like WebFX offer numerous options to fit your budget and goals.

The best content marketing agencies take the time to get to know your business and industry. They work as an extension of your internal team to produce content that drives the best results for your company.

If you want to learn more about what it’s like to work with an award-winning content marketing agency, give us a call at 888-601-5359.

Content marketing packages vs. individual pages

A question we often hear is, “Should I invest in a content marketing package or pay per-piece for website pages?”

We’re glad you asked.

If you’re looking to write a few pages for your site, paying per-piece may be a good option for you. However, it’s often wise to invest in a comprehensive marketing plan. Why?

Content requires continual monitoring and updates to maintain your rankings.

Often, agencies include this cost as part of their content marketing packages. However, if you pay someone per-piece, you’re responsible for monitoring and updating the content once its live on your site — a big task for busy SMBs.

When you invest in content marketing packages from a full-service agency, you’ll also receive access to SEO and social media experts who can help you maximize the impact of your content. Again, SEO and social media promotion are often included as part of comprehensive content services.

While it’s tempting to pay for each piece of content, investing in a content package often offers the biggest bang for your buck.

In 2023, you can expect to pay $2000 to $12,000 per month for a comprehensive content marketing package. For that price, make sure the package you choose includes research, website copywriting and SEO implementation, and social media content.

You’ll also want to ensure that you’re working with a reputable, full-service agency that has experience in numerous areas of digital marketing, from content to SEO and more.