Hello Ben,
I am going to be honest here, which will most likely upset some of the people on the board, but SEO is by enlarge a con that it is a real job.
I have multiple websites, and most of them are in the first 1 or two pages of the google searches I want, because I spent a little time working at it myself.
First, make sure you have all the right keywords, and be smart about it, don't try and be number 1 for laptop, its not going to work, you want laptops sales, laptop hardware etc..
Second use the google tools that they provide, webmaster tools, submit a site map, make sure your site is well coded and the keywords are used a few times etc. Make sure it is all URL friendly to easy to search.
Use google analytics, use google adwords, getting a starting £100 from google is childs play, you pay the £5 ot £10 quid to start your account and with the extra £100 you'll have ads that people can see, also do not pay £1-5 a click, not worth, if you use the right words in the ad, you will get clicks people do not always click on the "top", alot of people are smart and read what is there in the search response.
If you want to pay thousands for it, go for it, but honestly, with an hour a day, and some work getting links in, talking to others, you'll save all that cash.