Honest Digital Consulting Pricing for Small Businesses
These are our real prices for digital consulting work. Every project starts with a defined scope and a fixed price agreed to in writing. The ranges below reflect real starting points. Final pricing is confirmed during your consultation based on what your business actually needs.
No Moving Targets, No Surprise Invoices
Most of our work is project-based with a fixed deliverable, a fixed price, and a timeline you know before you commit. We do not bill by the hour for project work because hourly billing creates ambiguity that does not serve you.
For ongoing work like local SEO or automation monitoring, we use monthly retainers with a defined scope. You always know what the work involves and what it costs before any month begins.
All projects require a 50% deposit to begin. The remaining balance is due at project completion before the final deliverable is published or handed over. For projects over $3,000, milestone-based payment schedules are available.
Third-party costs including software subscriptions, ad spend, domain registration, and hosting fees are not included in project pricing. Any required tools are identified during the consultation so there are no surprises.
Time to Create Some Smoke
Choose your level of heat. Every Fire and Cloud website includes full on-site SEO and AI search optimization as a standard part of the build, not an upgrade.
Built for Where Search Is Heading
Google now surfaces AI-generated answers at the top of results for a growing number of searches, pulling content from websites it finds credible, well-structured, and authoritative. Every page we build includes proper schema markup, structured FAQ content, clear service and location signals, and the technical foundation that gives your pages the best chance of appearing in those results.
You do not have to think about AI search readiness. We build it in from day one.
For businesses that need a professional online presence without a full website. One focused page, fully optimized, built to convert. A solid starting point for businesses that rely on referrals or are running a focused campaign around a single service.
A complete website for an established local service business. Eight pages covering everything a growing company needs to rank locally, explain its services clearly, and convert visitors into leads.
Built for businesses serving multiple locations or a broader range of services. Twelve pages architected from day one for multi-market SEO. Includes GBP setup and one month of SEO retainer so your site launches with its off-site foundation already running.
- GBP setup and optimization ($600 standalone value)
- 1 month SEO retainer ($400 standalone value)
What Each Package Includes
Terms of Service pages are formatted and published by us using client-supplied legal content. Additional pages beyond the included count are available at $250 per page.
| Feature | Ignite Online From $1,000 | Flame Authority From $2,500 | Blaze the Market From $4,500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Build | |||
| Custom design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile-responsive layout | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contact form with email notifications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Services hub page | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Individual service pages | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Location pages | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Blog setup (ready to publish) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| On-Site SEO and AI Search (all packages) | |||
| Keyword research | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Title tags and meta descriptions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Image optimization and alt text | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Page speed optimization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Schema markup (structured data) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI search ready page structure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FAQ sections built for AI Overviews | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Analytics setup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Search Console setup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NAP consistency review | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Service area SEO structure | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-location SEO structure | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Conversion | |||
| CTA placement and copy review | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lead capture form optimization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Launch | |||
| 30-day post-launch support | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Content update training | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Included Services | |||
| GBP setup and optimization | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 1 month SEO retainer | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Optional Add-Ons | |||
| Tracking phone number * | ✗ | Add-on | Add-on |
* Tracking phone number: $20/month for a basic tracking line or $30/month for an AI-powered number with advanced call handling. Monthly cost begins at launch.
Website hosting is not included in the build price. If hosted through Fire and Cloud Consulting: $30/month or $300/year.
Upgrading from Flame Authority to Blaze the Market instead of adding four pages at $250 each costs the same amount. The difference is that Blaze the Market includes GBP setup and one month of SEO retainer, with a combined standalone value of approximately $1,000. For businesses serious about ranking from day one, Blaze the Market is the better investment.
Existing Website Improvements
Already on a platform like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix and need specific changes made? We work directly inside existing setups for targeted improvements: fixing pages, updating copy, improving speed, correcting SEO issues, or adding functionality.
This work is billed at $125/hour with a one-hour minimum. Before we begin, we provide a rough hour estimate based on what you need so you are not going in without a number. If the scope turns out to be large enough that a new build would serve you better, we tell you that before the hours add up.
Full Redesigns
A full redesign on any platform is quoted as a new project at Flame Authority or Blaze the Market pricing depending on scope. It costs the same whether we build fresh or rebuild on your current platform.
If you are weighing a redesign against staying on your current platform, we cover that honestly during the consultation so you can make an informed decision before spending anything.
Local SEO Pricing
SEO pricing depends on whether your website was built by Fire and Cloud or not. Sites we build are already optimized on-site at launch, so monthly work is off-site only.
On-site SEO is complete at launch. Monthly work covers off-site optimization only: citation building and directory management, link outreach and strategy, review acquisition strategy, local competitor monitoring, and monthly reporting on rankings and visibility.
All work is billed at $100/hour. Additional hours beyond the monthly allocation are available at the same rate.
Sites not built by Fire and Cloud require an initial SEO setup before off-site work is effective. We start with a one-time audit, on-page optimization, and technical foundation, then move into ongoing off-site work at $600/month.
The startup cost is based on the number of pages on your site, since larger sites require more time to audit and optimize properly.
| Site Size | One-Time Startup | Then Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 pages | $600 | $600/month |
| 6 to 10 pages | $1,000 | $600/month |
| 11 to 15 pages | $1,400 | $600/month |
| 16 to 20 pages | $1,800 | $600/month |
| 21 to 30 pages | $2,200 | $600/month |
| 30+ pages | Quoted | $600/month |
Digital Systems Consulting Pricing
Starting prices for each remaining service area. Scope and final pricing are confirmed during the consultation.
Lead and Automation Systems
Businesses losing time or leads to manual work get the most from this service. It covers the full picture from lead capture through follow-up. Explore the automation services page for more detail.
- Audit of current lead sources and workflow gaps
- Lead capture form design and placement
- Missed-call text-back and automated first response
- CRM setup, configuration, or cleanup
- Intake and appointment workflows
- Tool integrations connecting existing software
Google Business Profile
Local businesses that have a GBP listing but are not showing up in the map pack get measurable results fast from a proper optimization. Available as a standalone service or bundled with local SEO.
- Full GBP audit and optimization
- Category, service, and description updates
- Photo strategy and initial upload
- Review response setup and templates
- Ongoing monthly posts and monitoring
Business Operations and Cloud Setup
Growing businesses still running on personal email, scattered files, and tools that were never properly configured get time back every week after this project is done.
- Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace setup
- Business email configuration
- Cloud file organization and permissions
- Software account setup
- Analytics and reporting dashboard setup
Monthly Retainers
For businesses that want ongoing support rather than one-time projects, monthly retainer arrangements are available with a defined scope, a set hour allocation, and a predictable cost.
Retainers are typically used for local SEO, Google Business Profile management, ongoing automation improvements, or a combination across service areas. Starting from $400/month.
Scope and pricing are set at the start of each term. Work outside the agreed scope is quoted separately before it begins. No surprises mid-month.
How Retainers Work
Each retainer includes a defined monthly hour allocation at $100/hour. We do not carry over unused hours and we do not bill for work outside the agreed scope without your approval first.
At the start of each month you know exactly what is being worked on. At the end of each month you receive a report showing what was done and where things stand.
How to Get a Project Price
Five steps from first contact to a fixed price in writing.
Schedule a consultation
Fill out the contact form or email info@fireandcloudconsulting.com directly. Tell us what your business does and what you are trying to fix.
We review your current setup
We look at your website, tools, and the details you share before we respond. We come prepared with useful observations, not a generic script.
We discuss your goals
A short conversation to understand your business, where things are breaking down, and what the work would involve.
We send a written scope and fixed price
A project scope and fixed price document delivered within two business days. No vague estimates.
You approve and we set a start date
Once the scope is approved and the deposit is received, we lock in a start date and begin.
Common Questions from Business Owners Comparing Pricing
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. Most projects require a 50% deposit to begin. The remaining balance is due at project completion before the final deliverable is published or handed over.
Can I pay in installments?
For projects over $3,000, payments can be structured across project milestones. This is arranged before the project begins, not after it starts.
What happens if the scope changes after we start?
Fixed-price projects are locked to the agreed scope. If you want to add work not in the original agreement, we quote it separately and get your approval before proceeding. The original price does not change.
How long does a typical project take?
Ignite Online sites take 2-3 weeks. Flame Authority sites take 4-6 weeks. Blaze the Market sites take 8-12 weeks. Automation and SEO setup takes 2-3 weeks.
You receive a specific timeline before any project starts, not after the deposit is paid.
What is the difference in SEO pricing between Fire and Cloud sites and other sites?
Sites we build include full on-site SEO at launch, so monthly SEO work is off-site only at $500/month. Sites built elsewhere require a one-time startup to audit and optimize the existing pages, then $600/month ongoing. The startup cost is based on the number of pages in your site.
Do you offer discounts for nonprofits?
We work with nonprofits and take budget constraints seriously. Discounted rates are available for qualifying organizations. Mention it in your message and we factor it into the quote.
Why are your prices lower than a larger agency?
We operate as a focused consulting practice without account managers, salespeople, or layers of overhead. The people who scope your project do the work. You pay for the output, not the structure around it.
What does AI search ready actually mean?
It means your pages are built with schema markup, structured content, and the technical foundation that gives them the best chance of appearing in AI-generated answers like Google AI Overviews. We build this into every project by default.
Ready to See What Your Project Would Cost?
Schedule a consultation and we will review your setup, define the scope, and give you a fixed price in writing within two business days.