Want to order human-written SEO-friendly content but are not sure about the costs? Looking for affordable SEO content marketing solutions but don't know where to begin? Don't worry, as Sapphire SEO Solutions is here to help.

In this comprehensive guide, we will go over the most frequently asked questions related to web content writing fees. Keep reading until the end, as we will also cover whether hiring human writers for your content marketing needs is worthwhile.

Let's get started!

Key Takeaways

Content writing agencies may seem expensive at first, but they have a team of writers, editors, and SEO specialists. This ensures error-free SEO-friendly web copy. It can save you a lot of time and money.
Some factors that affect web content writing rates include the writer's skill and expertise, the complexity, the scope of the project, and the pricing model.
AI-generated content can do your site more harm than good. It's best to invest in specialized and reliable content writing agencies for content that ranks.

Are Freelance Writing Rates Much Different Than the Cost of Hiring Content Writing Agencies?

Before we explore this guide in more detail, there is something we need to address right off the bat: freelance writers charge much less than content writing agencies. But why is that?

A Freelance Writer Enjoys Lower Overheads

Freelance writers do not have high operational costs

A content writing agency has many different operational costs. If it has an office, it needs to cover electricity, rent, and other running expenses. Many agencies spend a lot of money on paid marketing to reach out to clients. All of these costs add up, which is why a company would charge a higher rate for content marketing than freelancers.

On the other hand, freelance writers don't need to worry about business expenses. Most of them work from home. There are no additional electricity or utilities costs to cover as well. This makes them an affordable option for seeking content writing services.

That said, not all freelancers have lower rates. Specialized professionals charge hundreds of dollars for a single blog post or landing page.

A Freelance Writer Is Like a Lone Wolf

Freelance content writers are often described as lone wolves

Many become freelance writers to supplement their primary source of income or move away from the red tape policies and work politics. You can think of freelancers as lone wolves who like to work independently.

While there is nothing wrong with that, freelance content writers are one part of a moving engine. Depending on your business's content needs, you'll need to hire editors, SEO specialists, and even project managers. This can eat away your marketing budget, making it super expensive to outsource content marketing to freelancers.

A Freelance Writer May Have a Lower Turnaround Time

Some of the best freelance writers are booked weeks in advance. This is because they have the skills and experience to craft content that converts. Many businesses seek specialized expertise and are willing to partner with freelancers instead of content writing agencies.

While a freelance writer may consider taking on more clients, they'll have to wait a long time before receiving any content from them. They may have the expertise to deliver high-quality content and blog posts, but due to their turnaround time, they may not be the right option for your business.

A reliable content writing agency may have a huge team of writers, editors, and SEO specialists ready to deliver landing pages, articles, and other types of content much quicker than freelance writers. If you're looking for a quick turnaround time, working with an agency could be the best option for you.

What Is the Difference Between Freelance Writers and Content Writing Agencies?

There are key differences between freelance writers and content creation agencies

You can choose between a content writing agency and an experienced freelance writer. Which one do you go for?

While there are a lot of factors to consider, such as budget, turnaround time, and content quality, the answer really depends on your business's content writing needs.

We've already written a detailed blog on "SEO Content Writing Agency vs. Freelancers: Which Is Best?" where we go into the nitty gritty of hiring writers and partnering with an agency. Make sure to read through this comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.

What Are the Factors That Affect Web Content Writing Fees?

There are so many factors that affect the cost of written content, with some of the most important ones including the following:

Writer's Skills and Experience

A writer's capability plays a crucial role in determining the cost of hiring them

Whether you plan to work with a freelance writer or hire an SEO content writing agency, the cost of written content depends on the skills and expertise the party brings to the table.

Writers or agencies offering specialized content will charge more than those with a generalized set of skills. Technical writing can be time-consuming, as it requires much research and expert knowledge to simplify hard-to-understand concepts for the target audience.

The Content's Complexity

Are you looking to increase organic traffic to your website or fill it up with valuable information? Do you want an effective content strategy or need a writer to follow instructions?

Depending on your content needs, working with a writer or an agency could cost you a lot of money. For example, SEO-optimized articles require extensive keyword research, which can take a few hours. This makes it more expensive than content without search engine optimization.

The Pricing Model

Writers and agencies often have one of three pricing models

Freelancers and agencies follow different pricing models. They include the following:

Per-Word Pricing

This is the most common pricing model. Many freelancers or agencies charge clients by the number of words they request. They may have a higher rate per word for SEO-optimized content.

A content writing agreement based on per-word pricing could be an excellent arrangement for businesses, as it is easy to budget. However, this model can be exploitative.

Some inexperienced writers take advantage of the per-word cost. This type of pricing provides a financial incentive to drag an article or write fluff content, which can lead to a poor reading experience.

When site visitors don't like a website's content, they are more likely to leave and head over to the competitor's page. This can lead to an increased bounce rate. It signals Google and other search engines that your content isn't authoritative. This can harm your site's SEO and negatively impact search rankings.

Per Hour Pricing

Unlike content writing agencies that rarely adopt the per-hour pricing model, some freelancers prefer to charge clients by the hour. The cost of content production under this arrangement depends on the type of writer you work with.

Most professional writers do not charge by the hour. They are experienced in their field, which means they can write much quicker than others. They may not even require much research since they know the niche they're writing about. Using the per-hour pricing model can hurt their revenue.

Let's go over an example to illustrate how the per-hour pricing model impacts writers.

John, a writer new to the scene, secures a client and signs a $20 per hour agreement for content writing. Since he's inexperienced in the financial sector, it takes him three hours to conduct extensive research before writing a 1,000-word investor newsletter. That's $60 billed to the company.

Fred, on the other hand, is an experienced financial writer who charges $40 per hour. It takes him one hour to write a 1,000-word newsletter. After completing the project, he receives $40.

In the example above, if Fred uses an hourly rate, he makes less than an inexperienced writer. That's not a fair compensation for high-quality content. This is why many professional writers either prefer to be paid a flat fee or by the number of words they write.

Project-Based Pricing

Charging a flat rate for content production can be a great option for many businesses. This is known per project pricing and offers a win-win situation for both parties.

Writers aim to impress clients with high-quality content in the hope of securing another project after completion. Clients love the project-based pricing as they know what to expect. Even with hiccups along the way, the cost remains the same, as agreed before the signing of the contract.

On the other hand, a content writing agency may provide services on a monthly retainer. This is also a convenient and manageable option for businesses. They can also negotiate the specifics of the contract before signing any paperwork.

Freelance Writer Vs Content Writing Agency Delimma

Choosing between freelance writers and agencies can be tough

A freelance writer may charge much less than a content writing agency. However, the client may also need to hire an editor, SEO expert, and other professionals to manage a team of freelance writers. The costs can add up.

On the other hand, content writing agencies may already have writers, editors, and SEO specialists. This reduces the administrative burden of managing a team, and the client pays less for the same amount of work.

What Is the Cost of Hiring Experienced Writers for Your Business?

Hiring a freelancer could be a cost-effective content marketing strategy if you already have people to help with editing content and optimizing it for search engines.

When it comes to working with freelance writers, you can use many platforms to find the right professional to partner up with. You can work with native writers or hire a content creation expert from other countries.

While the rates for hiring freelance writers for web content vary from one professional to another, here are the average rates clients can expect to pay based on the level of expertise:

Beginner: $0.05-$0.10 per word
Intermediate: $0.30-$0.50 per word
Advanced: $1-$1.50 per word

It's important to note that the per-word rates mentioned above aren't directly proportional to the writer's experience. Many writers and content writing agencies charge a flat fee or higher rates for landing pages, as crafting a landing page that performs well can take a lot of time.

After going on Upwork and assessing the rates experienced writers charge, here is what clients can expect based on the type of content:

$500 to $2,000 per landing page
$50 to $1,000 per blog post
$500 to $2,500 per press release
$500+ for a short white paper
Up to $10 per social media caption
$50 to $500 per promotional email

The rates depend on the writer's experience, content type, and research required. That said, native writers are much more expensive to hire than writers from other parts of the world. They may even charge an additional fee if you require a quicker turnaround time.

What Is the Cost of Working with an SEO Content Writing Agency?

Agencies have a higher web content writing fee than freelance writers. They may charge anywhere from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars for writing and optimizing a landing page or blog post.

The amount an agency charges can depend on many different factors, including the following:

How many words the client orders: Most agencies have fees based on word count. Some charge around $0.60 to $1.50 per word, while others may quote a higher price. The number of words a client orders can also make them eligible for bulk discounts.
Content marketing goals: If the business wants to improve organic traffic, it may opt for search engine optimization. SEO-optimized articles cost slightly more than non-SEO content due to the keyword research and on-page optimizations involved.
Project scope: The website content writing rates of an agency may also vary depending on the scope of the project. While agencies typically charge between $50 and $100 for a standard 1,000-word blog post, clients can expect to pay more if they have greater research requirements or need personalized images. Niche content can cost even more money.
Past successes: Some writers and content writing agencies may charge much higher than the market rate due to their proven track record. While this does not imply that writers with a lower rate are unreliable, most companies are comfortable working with reputable professionals and agencies to avoid issues with submissions.

Paying up to $1,000 or even more for a single blog post is ridiculous. Such pricing creates a barrier to entry for small businesses that may not have a huge content marketing budget. Does that mean you're on your own? Not really. Fortunately, we're here to help!

At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we understand the financial uncertainties small businesses face. They cannot market their products or services as well as large companies with a healthy budget. Our content writing services are affordable and tailored to your needs.

Sapphire SEO Solutions has several content writing tiers, each powerful enough to improve your site's SEO, build relationships with your readers, and convert them into loyal customers. You can choose between the following:

Quartz Tier: Starting at $0.03 per word, Quartz Tier is perfect for small businesses looking for basic SEO-friendly copywriting.
Amethyst Tier: At $0.04 per word, our Amethyst Tier is a fantastic option if you're looking for high-quality content that converts. We offer everything included in the Quartz Tier and professional SEO optimization with programs like SurferSEO.
Opal Tier: This white glove, elite web content writing service aims to exceed client expectations. Each article includes deeply researched facts, carefully curated images, Free on-page SEO (FAQs, meta title, and meta description), and a quick turnaround time.

What Does Web Content Writing Fee Include?

Depending on the freelancer or agency you partner up with, web content writing fees may include the following:

100% original content (no plagiarism, no AI, no fluff)
Quick turnaround time
Multiple revisions

Some agencies may also include specially curated images, professional editing, and on-page SEO. It's best to discuss the different packages with the freelancer or agency to determine the best one for your business.

What's the Difference Between a Content Mill and a Content Writing Agency?

If you've been on the lookout for reliable content writing services, you may have come across content mills during your search. Are these businesses similar to content writing agencies? Should you partner up with a content mill?

Content mills sound similar to content marketing agencies, but are quite different. They are companies that hire writers to provide content writing services to businesses. While they were increasingly popular back then, they have gained a bad reputation over the years. Why is that?

Most content mills outsource the writing jobs to writers in third-world countries who are willing to work for a minimum wage. They charge their clients a lot of money and, in return, provide low-quality content that barely meets the Google E-E-A-T guidelines. This can negatively impact a site's SEO performance.

On the other hand, content writing agencies pay writers according to their market value. They understand the type of content that ranks and are willing to hire or partner with professionals with the skills, knowledge, and expertise in different niches. That means specialized content for your business without compromising on content quality.

Should You Use AI Tools to Save Money on Web Content Writing?

AI might seem like the best approach, but it may not be the best for your website

Using AI tools can automatically increase the number of articles and service pages you can publish in a fraction of the writing time professional writers may take. Should you use it to pump out content? Can it improve your site's SEO performance?

When AI writing first surfaced, people thought it was something revolutionary. Businesses started using AI tools to craft website content instead of hiring professional writers. Why would they not? Cheap and able to pump out articles at lightning-fast speeds, AI tools were bound for greatness.

Then the Google Core March 2025 update came. This changed everything. The search engine allocated the lowest scores to generative AI content. While Google doesn't penalize AI content, it ranks it relatively low.

Google loves authoritative content. AI doesn't have the knowledge, expertise, or skills to produce content that adds value. While AI tools can help clients achieve more with a tiny budget, they fail to address Google's E-E-A-T requirements. This can do more harm than good.

HubSpot has published the following statistics to show that AI can never replace professional writers:

95% of marketers reported that they need to edit the content created by AI, with 44% reporting the need to make significant changes.
60% of marketers express concerns over using AI, which can produce plagiarized content or provide incorrect information.
Only 6% of marketers use AI tools to craft and publish content.

Businesses need to build long-term relationships with specialized writers who know the ins and outs of their industry. This ensures value-added content that's optimized for search engines. AI tools should only be used to generate ideas, search for information, or edit to save time.

Can AI-Generated Content Deliver Measurable Results?

It's important to know whether AI-generated content creation can produce good results

You may have seen many videos published on YouTube by reputable organizations like Semrush, Moz, and others experimenting with AI. It shows SEO specialists using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft and publish content.

The results? Oustanding!

For a business owner who doesn't know about search engine optimization, these results are impressive. They may tempt them to consider AI for content production.

However, it's essential to investigate what's behind the numbers. A little digging into these reputable organizations shows that they already have a stellar authority score with good-quality backlinks. This tells Google they're reputable. Crawlers are more likely to recommend the content these businesses publish.

We guarantee you that if you do all of the things these SEO specialists do in their video to craft AI-generated content, you're definitely not going to see similar SEO improvements. Any short-term results will often be short-lived. Why is that?

The logic behind this is that your website may not be authoritative enough. Unless your content provides value, AI-generative articles may not help with your search rankings.

Why Should You Work with a Content Writing Agency?

As a small business owner, you should consider working with an affordable SEO content writing agency like Sapphire SEO Solutions. The ROI on content marketing is much higher than other forms of marketing.

Allocating a small percentage of your monthly budget to content marketing can help build credibility, drive more online traffic, and eventually increase sales. While SEO can take time, it's a great investment.

Sapphire SEO Solutions has been helping small businesses stand out in the digital landscape since 2007. Our experts take the time to understand your business and marketing goals before tailoring a personalized content strategy to help elevate your online presence.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider partnering up with Sapphire SEO Solutions:

SEO-certified writers: We are one of the few agencies with SEO-certified writers. Our professionals can craft content for human readers and please search engines. This ensures that your business ranks higher for key search terms, improving your online visibility while establishing authority.
Professionally-edited content: With us, you get access to writers and a whole team of professional editors. They go through every piece to ensure information accuracy and error-free content.
SEO optimization: All of our packages, even Quartz Tier, come with search engine optimization. If you want a complete SEO solution with high-quality content, we've got you covered.
Account manager: To reduce bottlenecks and ensure strong communication, we assign every client with an experienced account manager. They are there to ensure proper coordination between you and our expert writers.
Proven track record: Sapphire SEO Solutions has a strong track record of delivering excellence. Our experts have helped businesses rank higher for relevant search terms, driving more organic site traffic. Don't just take our word for it: check out our case studies!
Affordable: Unlike other agencies that charge hundreds of dollars for a single blog post or landing page, we offer affordable content writing services. This ensures that small businesses don't get left out when it comes to dominating search results. Sapphire SEO Solutions even offers bulk discounts on large orders.

Request a Free Site Audit Today and Start Ranking Higher on Search Engines with Sapphire SEO Solutions!

Sapphire SEO Solutions offers dependable, affordable content writing services!

Are you looking for affordable web content writing services? Sapphire SEO Solutions has you covered. We will conduct a thorough site audit to determine what you are currently ranking for and develop an effective content marketing strategy to take your business to the next level.

Order content through our easy-to-use dashboard or fill out the online contact form to discuss your content marketing needs with an SEO specialist today!

Web Content Writing Fees - Frequently Asked Questions