SEO takes months to pay back and most founders never sit down to model whether the numbers actually work. This calculator gives you a clean, honest projection in 60 seconds.
It models a linear ramp from your current traffic to your target over the months you specify, then applies your real conversion and close rates and your average deal size. The output is a 12-month view with total revenue, total cost, ROI and the month you break even.
Where this tool actually helps
Deciding whether to invest in SEO at all
If your break-even is beyond month 18 with realistic numbers, SEO is not your fastest lever. That is useful to know before you spend.
Setting a monthly SEO budget
Change the monthly cost until your ROI and payback look reasonable. That is a defensible number to take into a partner conversation.
Comparing SEO versus paid
SEO compounds. Paid stops the day you stop spending. Model both side by side using the same conversion and deal size assumptions.
How to read the result
The top-right stats are the summary: 12-month revenue, ROI and the month cumulative revenue overtakes cumulative cost. If break-even is beyond month 12, the projection shows that plainly.
The table underneath is the monthly detail. Use it to sanity check the ramp. If month 3 leads look unrealistic, either your target traffic or your ramp period is off.
Common mistakes we see
- Using aspirational conversion rates. Most B2B service sites convert at 1 to 3 percent, not 8.
- Assuming linear ramp on a new site with no authority. Realistic ramps for a fresh domain are 9 to 12 months to any meaningful traffic.
- Counting every lead as a closable one. A close rate below 15 percent is normal.
- Ignoring cost. SEO looks free until you count the person doing the work.
FAQs
- Where do I get my current organic traffic number?
- Google Search Console shows total clicks. Use the last 28 days divided by roughly one to get a monthly figure.
- What conversion rate should I assume?
- If you have Google Analytics on your site, use your real rate. Otherwise: 1 to 3 percent for B2B services, 2 to 4 percent for e-commerce.
- Is the ramp assumption realistic?
- For an established site with authority, 3 to 6 months is realistic. For a new domain, use 9 to 12 months.
- Does the model include compounding?
- Not yet. This is a straight 12-month projection to keep the math transparent. In practice, compounding kicks in from month 9 onwards.
A note from Nimitt
A tool gives you a number. A person tells you what to do with it. If you want a straight answer on your site, send it over. I read every one myself.