For web and app development agencies, this data highlights a massive opportunity, not just to build stunning digital platforms but to offer strategies that ensure long-term visibility.
As a result, many agencies are now exploring white label SEO as a service extension. This model enables them to offer SEO services under their brand, expand their portfolio, and meet client expectations without hiring an internal team.
So how do you meet all SEO golden standards and keep up with your core business? Let’s talk about white label SEO.
What Is White Label SEO?
White label SEO, also referred to as SEO white label service, is when SEO experts handle all optimization work but allows you to resell the service as your own. This includes technical SEO, on-page and off-page optimization, SEO and content strategy, SEO campaigns, and analytics or SEO reports.
You maintain your brand while the provider handles the work. You can use this model to outsource their own in-house SEO services, especially when clients ask for results you can't currently provide in-house. White label SEO allows agencies to scale operations, strengthen relationships, and look for a model that supports growth.
Why SEO Fits Naturally Into Development Services
Many digital marketing agencies stop at design and development, and other web and app development agencies, stop on the key features a website needs. However, clients often ask what comes next once their platform is live. That’s where local SEO steps in.
By integrating white label SEO services to your clients, you become not only a developer, but a strategic partner. This also helps clients who may be struggling to understand why their website isn't performing. Instead of sending them elsewhere, you become the go-to expert.
Agencies can also benefit from fully managed SEO campaigns handled behind the scenes, access marketing services you need and more, while focusing on core dev tasks, all while retaining client communication and branding.
Core Benefits of Offering White Label SEO
Hiring full-time SEO professionals means higher overhead. Instead, you can choose a white label provider who provides SEO services at scale and at top-notch quality, and enhance local visibility without an in-house hiring. Agencies that work with white label providers gain instant access to industry best practices, SEO writing, and advanced analytics, all without additional hiring.
You can create white label SEO packages or let clients pick specific services. Whether they need high-quality white label SEO services or just a monthly audit, it’s easy to adapt. Using a white label SEO reseller program allows agencies to retain clients and increase average contract values.
Long-term SEO results are gradual, so this model builds a strong business case for monthly retainers. You’re not just doing one-off development work anymore, you’re creating a service under your own brand ecosystem for long-term success.
Here's a cost comparison breakdown compared to hiring a full-time SEO professional:
Hiring Full-Time SEO Professionals:
- High overhead costs (salaries, benefits, tools, training).
- Requires building an in-house team for SEO strategy, writing, and analytics.
- Slower to scale due to recruitment and onboarding.
Using White Label SEO Provider:
- Lower overhead—no need to hire full-time staff.
- Fixed, scalable costs based on packages or specific services.
- Instant access to expert SEO services, tools, and analytics.Flexible pricing models (e.g., per audit, monthly retainer, or full package).
- Increases average contract value with minimal investment.
- Allows agencies to generate recurring revenue under their own brand.
Don't want to crunch the numbers? Here's an overview of the costs:
Hiring Full-Time SEO Professionals (In-House Team)
- SEO Manager Salary: $65,000 – $100,000/year (plus 20–30% for benefits and overhead = ~$85,000–$130,000 total)
- SEO Specialist (Junior–Mid Level): $45,000 – $70,000/year (total cost ~$55,000–$90,000 with benefits)
- SEO Copywriter: $50,000 – $75,000/year (plus ~$10,000–$20,000 for benefits)
- Analytics/Tools (e.g., Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz): $300 – $800/month = $3,600 – $9,600/year
- Total Estimated Annual In-House Cost: $200,000 – $300,000/year
Using a White Label SEO Provider
- Basic White Label SEO Package (e.g., keyword research + monthly content + reporting): $500 – $1,500/month per client
- Advanced SEO Package (includes link building, technical audits, content strategy): $1,500 – $3,000/month per client
- One-Time SEO Audit: $200 – $800 per audit
- Monthly Reporting & Maintenance Only: $300 – $700/month per client
- Total Estimated Cost (for 10 clients): $60,000 – $150,000/year (fully scalable based on client volume)
How to Choose the Right SEO Partner
When evaluating white label SEO agencies, look for experience delivering white label SEO results, transparency in white label marketing and strategy, strong support for white label SEO services help, and a selection of white label SEO programs that you can resell.
Also, ensure your partner provides white label writing, dashboard integration, and flexible services under your brand support. That way, you can maintain full control over the relationship and branding.
Selecting the right white label SEO partner can directly impact your agency’s client retention, profitability, and brand reputation. Here's more of what to look for, backed by current data and proven industry benchmarks:
Proven Track Record with White Label SEO Results
- Look for documented case studies and client testimonials. Top-tier providers often highlight client wins such as traffic growth (e.g., +300% in 6 months) or keyword ranking improvements (+50 positions in 90 days).
- Ask for KPIs like average ranking improvements, organic traffic growth, and domain authority increases.
Transparency in Strategy and Reporting
- Your provider should offer real-time dashboards and white-labeled analytics (e.g., through platforms like AgencyAnalytics or DashThis).
- Source Ensure they’re Google Partner certified or have SEO certifications (Moz Academy, SEMrush, HubSpot, etc.).
- Red flag: Agencies that avoid showing how they do link building, use private blog networks (PBNs), or refuse regular updates can risk your clients' SEO integrity.
Robust Client Support and Dedicated Account Management
- Look for an agency offering dedicated account managers with SLA (service-level agreements) for response times—ideally <24 hours.
- Support should include pre-sales assistance, onboarding help, and strategy calls.
Comprehensive and Resellable SEO Programs
Ideal partners should offer a tiered structure (e.g., Local SEO, National SEO, E-commerce SEO) to serve a variety of client needs.
White Label Writing and Content Creation
- Confirm if the agency offers SEO-optimized blog content, metadata writing, and service page copy under your brand.
- Great partners will match brand tone and voice guidelines and revise drafts as needed.
- Content matters: Companies with blogs generate 67% more leads monthly.
Dashboard Integration and White Label Reporting
Choose a partner that integrates with tools like:
- Google Analytics 4
- Google Search Console
- Rank tracking tools (e.g., AccuRanker, SERPWatcher)
These tools should deliver:
- Client-facing reports with your logo
- Automated monthly insights
- Keyword and backlink tracking
Flexibility and Brand Control
Your provider should allow you to:
- Brand all communications, reports, and strategy decks
- Pick à la carte services or package options
- Retain full client ownership (contracts remain with your agency)
Bonus feature: Some partners provide client portals where your clients can log in and see their progress under your branding.
Final Tip:
Run a trial project for your web or app development agency. Many top white label SEO providers will offer a low-cost test project (e.g., $200–$300 for an audit or one content piece). This lets you evaluate quality, communication, and turnaround time before scaling up.
Most Common White Label SEO Services Offered
A comprehensive white label SEO firm usually includes keyword research, technical audits, on-page SEO, local directory submissions, and monthly white label SEO reports.
When you use white label SEO services, you gain access to customized delivery of strategy and execution. You can also use an SEO reseller service that provides services under your brand for complete control over client-facing materials.
The Post-Launch Solution Clients Need
Now imagine this common scenario: You’ve just launched a beautifully designed website or high-performance app for a client. It’s responsive, fast, and aligns with their brand. But a few weeks later, they ask, “Why am I not getting any traffic?”
As a web or app development agency, this is your opportunity to turn a one-off project into a long-term retainer, without hiring an internal SEO team.
From Delivery to Discovery: Why SEO Is the Natural Next Step
While clients often view a website launch as a finish line, it’s really just the starting point for visibility and growth. A study from Ahrefs found that over 90% of webpages receive no organic traffic from Google, not because of poor design, but because they lack ongoing SEO support.
As a dev agency, you already understand site speed, mobile responsiveness, and structured code, all foundational technical SEO pillars. Pairing that with a white label SEO partner allows you to:
- Bridge the post-launch performance gap
- Offer data-backed solutions to drive traffic
- Keep clients in your ecosystem (and out of competitors’ pipelines)
Client Lifecycle Extension = More Revenue Per Account
Without SEO, your project lifecycle ends at launch. But with SEO:
- You build 12–24 month relationships around ongoing deliverables.
- You gain data-driven touchpoints for regular check-ins (rankings, traffic, KPIs).
- You open the door for upsells like CRO, blog content, PPC, or local SEO.
This shifts your agency from a project-based vendor to a long-term growth partner.
By offering white label SEO post-launch, you protect your client relationships from competitors, build predictable recurring revenue, and deliver measurable results—all while staying true to your core identity as a web or app development expert.
Conclusion: Why You Should Invest in White Label SEO
SEO is something every modern business needs, and as a development agency, it’s time to embrace that truth.
By partnering with a white label SEO service provider, you give your clients full-spectrum digital solutions, from design to visibility, all under your own brand.
