In-House vs Outsourced SEO: Why Hiring an Agency is a Game Changer

The Features and Benefits of Outsourcing SEO to a Digital Marketing Agency

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most critical components of any business’s digital strategy. But, managing SEO in-house can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive.

This is where outsourcing SEO to a digital marketing agency comes into play.

Here are some key features, benefits, and considerations for outsourcing SEO to a specialized agency.

Why Outsource SEO?

Outsourcing SEO allows businesses to leverage the expertise, tools, and resources of a dedicated team without the overhead of managing an in-house operation. Here are some major benefits:

Expertise & Experience

A reputable digital marketing agency has a team of professionals who specialize in SEO. These experts stay updated with the latest trends, algorithm updates, and best practices, giving your business a competitive edge. An agency’s experience across multiple industries means they bring proven strategies that can quickly be tailored to your business needs.

Cost Efficiency

Hiring an internal SEO team often requires significant investment in salaries, benefits, software, and ongoing training. By outsourcing, you gain access to a full team of experts for a fraction of the cost, without the long-term financial commitment of full-time employees. Agencies also come equipped with advanced tools for keyword research, competitor analysis, and technical audits—tools that would be costly to purchase independently.

Access to the Latest Tools & Technologies

SEO is data-driven, and an agency uses powerful analytics and SEO software to track results, identify opportunities, and continually optimize your strategy. These tools can be expensive to license individually but come included when you outsource to an agency.

Time-Saving

SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort. From content creation and on-page optimization to link-building and reporting, SEO tasks can consume a large chunk of time. Outsourcing frees up your internal team to focus on core business activities while the agency handles your search engine visibility.

Comprehensive Strategy

An agency will assess your entire digital footprint, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities that you may have missed. They will build a strategy that integrates on-page SEO, technical SEO, content creation, local SEO, and even reputation management to increase your search rankings.

When Should You Outsource?

It’s ideal to outsource SEO when:

• You don’t have the internal expertise: If no one on your team has specialized SEO knowledge, trying to do it in-house can lead to mistakes.
• Time is limited: If you or your team are wearing multiple hats, the chances are that SEO will fall by the wayside.
• You want faster results: An agency can often implement and refine SEO strategies more efficiently than a novice internal team.
• You want scalability: As your business grows, your SEO needs may change. An agency can scale up efforts or pivot quickly, while an in-house team may be slower to adapt.

The Cost Comparison: Agency vs. In-House SEO

Agency Costs

Outsourcing to an agency typically operates on a retainer or project-based fee, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ per month depending on the scope of work and the agency’s expertise. This cost includes the entire team, tools, and strategies.

In-House SEO Costs

Building an in-house SEO team comes with higher upfront and ongoing costs. Hiring a full-time SEO specialist may cost between $60,000 to $90,000 annually, not including benefits, software, and training. For a full SEO team (which could include an SEO strategist, content writer, web developer, and analyst), your investment could easily exceed $200,000 per year.

Managing Freelancers or Vendors

Working with individual freelancers or vendors can save money upfront, but it requires significant management time. The cost varies widely and may seem more affordable, but without cohesive strategy and oversight, results can be inconsistent. Plus, managing multiple vendors can lead to disjointed efforts, resulting in less effective SEO campaigns.

Things to Be Aware Of

When outsourcing SEO, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind:

• Realistic Timelines: SEO is a long-term strategy. Be wary of agencies promising instant results. Sustainable SEO takes time, typically between 3 to 6 months to start seeing noticeable improvements.
• Communication is Key: Choose an agency that communicates well and frequently. You’ll want to be involved in strategy discussions and receive regular progress reports.
• Contract Terms: Make sure the terms of the contract are clear, especially around what happens if you want to terminate the agreement. Be cautious of long-term contracts without an exit clause.

What to Expect When Working with an SEO Agency

When you partner with an SEO agency, here’s what you can expect:

Initial Audit & Strategy Development: The agency will start by conducting an in-depth audit of your website and your competitors. They’ll identify opportunities, weaknesses, and build a roadmap for success.

Monthly Reporting: You should receive regular updates on keyword rankings, organic traffic, backlink profiles, and more. Expect clear reports that show how the campaign is progressing.

Continuous Optimization: SEO isn’t a “set it and forget it” approach. The agency will consistently monitor your performance and make adjustments as necessary to improve rankings and meet goals.

Collaborative Process: A good agency will work with you, sharing insights and explaining their strategy to ensure alignment with your business objectives.

Ready to Outsource Your SEO for Maximum Return?

We provide SEO Services in Phoenix, Arizona

At Accelerated Web Systems, we specialize in helping small businesses like yours improve their online visibility, attract more customers, and grow revenue through expert SEO services. With over 20 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing, we can help you create a robust SEO strategy tailored to your unique business needs.

Schedule your Intro Call today, and let us show you how we can take your SEO to the next level!

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