SEO Consulting: Which Is Best for You? Agency vs Consultant

If you have ever contemplated whether you should look for SEO consulting services, this is the right time to seriously consider it. Both agencies and consultants bring pros and cons to SEO strategies that you cannot get anywhere else. That said, it is not an easy choice to make.

Here is what you need to know about finding the right SEO consulting services that fit your needs:

• Why hiring a consultant makes a difference in SEO.
• Comparing in-house and outsourced SEO services.
• How to choose between an agency and a consultant.

There is a lot to discuss, so get ready to take notes.

Let’s go!

Want to learn more about the Digital Authority Partners approach to SEO? Watch this video!

The Basics of SEO Consulting: Why You Need Good SEO

A business owner has many valid reasons for wanting either an in-house or outsourced SEO team. No matter which is chosen in the end, getting good SEO is crucial. With that on your side, your business can reach more people and improve its success.

The case for hiring experts for SEO consulting services is strong, especially for small businesses that do not want or cannot afford to hire an in-house team. Even with in-house employees, you still benefit from the expertise of trained professionals who have broad experience in SEO.

Comparing the Benefits of In-House and Outsourced SEO

Regardless of whether or not you already have a good grasp of SEO, the option to seek help for SEO needs is valid. The digital marketing landscape is constantly changing and businesses can improve the benefits of their SEO by adapting their strategies to what is currently most effective.

     Cases for an In-House SEO Team

The greatest benefit of having an in-house digital marketing team is that you have full control over what they do, when, and how. You provide input and monitor progress at any moment of the day. An in-house team is built and equipped to always serve your business’s best interests.

Your team is also able to change, modify, or rearrange any part of the strategy to fit your wants and goals. However, it is not quick or easy to assemble an in-house team, particularly when considering how much money is needed for salaries and office space. 

Hiring an in-house team is best for a business that has or can secure the necessary resources to build its team. It is the better option for companies with experts within their team or are not in any hurry to apply SEO. It is also best for those who want complete control of their SEO.

     Cases for Outsourcing Your SEO

Not all business owners want or can afford to hire skilled specialists for their marketing team. The alternative is to outsource SEO needs. The choice is simple because in either situation they cannot forego SEO altogether. Doing so would hurt their business prospects.

On the other hand, even those with a full in-house marketing team benefit from outsourcing some parts of their SEO strategy. For instance, hired consultants can assess the marketing strategies and help evaluate or reevaluate the progress. 

Businesses that outsource their entire SEO and digital marketing to SEO consulting services benefit the most. Their primary concern is the financial responsibilities to their SEO partner, who in turn handles all of the business’s digital marketing tasks.

How To Choose Between an SEO Agency and a Consultant

The value of hiring SEO consulting services varies from business to business, with factors such as goals influencing it in many ways. There is also the choice between hiring an agency or an independent consultant. Below is a look at the difference between these types of outsourcing:

     Pros and Cons of an SEO Agency

When hiring an SEO agency, your business essentially works with a team of highly trained and skilled specialists. Everyone in that company contributes to the success of your business’s digital marketing strategies. You have researchers, writers, and other experts who all shoulder different responsibilities.

They take care of every aspect of your business’s SEO. This gives them the flexibility to adapt and deliver high-quality services that get results, making them an excellent overall option for all-around SEO.

One issue with hiring an agency, however, is that the division of labor means updates may reach you much slower than you prefer. This also means that the process might not always be smooth or easy for your business. Despite this, you still benefit from the expertise of an SEO agency’s team members.

     Pros and Cons of an SEO Consultant

Unlike an agency that leans on the abilities of many people to provide quality SEO consulting services, an SEO consultant often works alone. They play a more supportive role within your business. What they mostly do is give useful advice and provide quality insights.

In addition, they assist in diagnosing problems with your SEO or digital marketing strategy and help you improve it. But they are not the ones to execute the plan. For this reason, a consultant works best for businesses with a strong and cohesive digital marketing team that needs new ideas.

While they excel at providing more personalized and tailor-made services, these come as the cost of speed and scale due to operating alone. However, they do provide meaningful work for their clients. Ultimately, it all depends on whether you have the resources to execute their plans.

Summing Up

When comparing SEO consulting services, the decision often comes down to a few factors: speed, quality, and cost-efficiency. For instance, hiring a consultant might cost less, but they are limited to an advisory role in your business. This hurts their value for most businesses.

On the other hand, an SEO agency offers a full range of customizable services for a higher price. The result is that you have practically nothing to worry about regarding your SEO strategy or its execution. They do all of it for your business, but only if you pay the price of their services.

Need help finding the best SEO partner for your business? Contact Digital Authority Partners (DAP) to learn how we can help.