SEO ROI Calculator
Estimate the return on an SEO campaign from one keyword: enter the search volume, your current and target ranking, conversion rate, and deal value to see projected clicks, leads, revenue, payback time, and first-year ROI.
Combined volume for the keyword you are targeting.
Share of visitors that become a lead or sale.
Revenue per converted visitor.
202
Extra clicks / mo
6
Extra leads / mo
£3,030
Extra revenue / mo
165%
First-year ROI
£23,820
Year 1 revenue
£14,820
Year 1 net profit
Month 6
Payback
12-month incremental revenue
| Month | Position | Clicks | Leads | Revenue | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15.5 | 23 | 0.1 | £75 | £75 |
| 2 | 13.0 | 30 | 0.4 | £180 | £255 |
| 3 | 10.5 | 41 | 0.7 | £345 | £600 |
| 4 | 8.0 | 62 | 1.3 | £660 | £1,260 |
| 5 | 5.5 | 108 | 2.7 | £1,350 | £2,610 |
| 6 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £5,640 |
| 7 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £8,670 |
| 8 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £11,700 |
| 9 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £14,730 |
| 10 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £17,760 |
| 11 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £20,790 |
| 12 | 3.0 | 220 | 6.1 | £3,030 | £23,820 |
How the SEO ROI calculation works
The calculator turns a ranking improvement into a revenue forecast. It multiplies your keyword search volume by the organic click-through rate for a given position, then applies your conversion rate and deal value to estimate revenue.
Click-through rate falls steeply with position. Position 1 earns around 27% of clicks, position 3 around 11%, and position 10 around 2%. Moving a keyword from page 2 to the top three captures most of the available revenue.
The 12-month projection assumes your ranking improves in a straight line from the current position to the target over the ramp period you set, then holds. Payback is the first month where cumulative incremental revenue passes cumulative SEO cost. First-year ROI is year-one net profit divided by year-one cost.
Treat the output as a directional estimate, not a guarantee. Real CTR varies by SERP features, brand, and intent, and rankings are never linear. Use it to sanity-check whether a keyword is worth the investment.
Frequently asked questions
How is SEO ROI calculated?
SEO ROI is your net return divided by your SEO cost. This calculator multiplies keyword search volume by the organic click-through rate for a ranking position, applies your conversion rate and deal value to get revenue, then compares first-year revenue against first-year SEO cost: ROI = (revenue minus cost) / cost.
What is a good click-through rate by Google position?
Aggregated organic click-through rates are roughly 27% at position 1, 16% at position 2, 11% at position 3, falling to around 2% at position 10. Click-through rate drops sharply below the top three, which is why ranking gains there drive most of the revenue.
What is a good ROI for SEO?
SEO is a compounding channel, so first-year ROI is often modest while rankings ramp, then improves as traffic holds without ongoing media spend. A campaign that pays back within 6 to 12 months and returns positive in year one is generally considered healthy.
Is this SEO ROI estimate accurate?
It is a directional forecast, not a guarantee. Real click-through rate varies with SERP features, brand strength, and search intent, and rankings rarely improve in a straight line. Use it to sanity-check whether a keyword is worth investing in.