Getting your website to show up in search engine results for keywords that are relevant to your product or service is crucial for many businesses, but choosing between
outsourcing SEO (search engine optimization) or hiring an in-house employee is less clear cut. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to consider when looking for SEO support and the five advantages of outsourcing SEO to an agency.
Factors to Consider
As you decide between an SEO agency or an in-house employee, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you select the right option for your business.
Cost
You’ll need to come up with a preliminary budget because SEO services and employee salaries vary in price point. While you don’t want to overpay, hiring a cheaper option may not yield the results you want either. It’s crucial to get quality SEO services without being too expensive.
Strategy
Depending on your SEO strategy, you may find that outsourcing your SEO is a better fit than bringing in a new hire. Onboarding an in-house employee takes a lot of time which doesn’t make sense if you only need SEO services for several months.
Expertise
Lastly, you’ll need to carefully look into the agency or employee candidate to determine their expertise level. Review their website, portfolio, or resume and ask for recommendations, testimonials, or case studies to see the work they’ve done for other businesses.
By taking these considerations into account during the research and planning process, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether outsourcing SEO or hiring in-house is the way to go.
Why You Should Outsource SEO
Working with an SEO agency offers many benefits for businesses, particularly startups and sole proprietors who typically don’t have the resources to hire an employee. Here are the top five advantages of outsourcing your SEO to an agency or consultant.
1. Laser-Like Focus
An agency will only be focused on your business’s SEO whereas an in-house team can get distracted by other sales and marketing activities. Since there are fewer distractions, an agency is more likely to meet deadlines on time and keep the project momentum moving forward.
2. Comparatively Less Expensive
With an employee, you need to pay a salary, benefits, and any other overhead costs. An agency, however, typically charges a project or monthly retainer fee which not only tends to be less expensive, but it’s also easier to budget for.
3. Industry Knowledge
SEO is constantly changing which is why agencies are generally more knowledgeable about the latest trends and algorithm updates than in-house employees. Agencies can also have greater technical experience since they work with a variety of businesses and industries.
4. More Tools
Having accurate and reliable data is essential for SEO which is why agencies often have more tools than what your business has or is willing to invest. Additionally, agencies know how to use these tools to better understand data and get valuable insights.
5. Fresh Perspective
An agency can provide a fresh perspective of your business and SEO strategy. By getting an outside viewpoint, you’re more likely to get innovative solutions that will grow your business rather than staying stuck in the same place.
Grow Your Business with SEO
SEO is a business necessity in today’s digital world. No matter what you sell or offer, potential customers are going to search for it online first before they make a purchase decision. That’s why outsourcing your SEO can be one of the smartest things your business can do to increase sales, leads, etc.