Benjamin Paine
Managing Director at Digital Nomads HQ
Today, the digital landscape evolves at breakneck speed. From the advancements in search engine algorithms to ever-changing consumer behaviours, the online world is a dynamic, ever-shifting terrain. One factor that remains crucial to online success is having a strong online presence.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) plays a vital role in improving a website’s visibility and driving organic traffic. However, many businesses struggle with the decision of whether to handle SEO in-house or outsource it to an agency.
In this blog post, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of both in-house and outsourcing SEO as well as the factors to consider when making this critical decision for your business’s digital strategy.
"With a collective 15 years of SEO experience, It's hard to replicate this with an in-house team."
Benjamin Paine, Managing Director at Digital Nomads HQ
The Difference Between In-House SEO VS SEO Agency Outsourcing
In-house SEO and SEO agency outsourcing are two different ways to manage your SEO each with its own characteristics, advantages and potential pitfalls.
Where In-house SEO involves hiring and managing your own team of SEO experts, outsourcing SEO involves contracting with an external agency who will manage your SEO campaign for you.
What Is In-House SEO?
In-house SEO refers to the practice of having an internal member or team dedicated to handling all aspects of search engine optimisation. In-house SEO comes in many forms and is highly dependent on the company’s size, budget and the overall investment they would like to make.
This means that a large business may dedicate a team of several SEO’s where a small to medium-sized business may assign search engine optimisation to one member of their marketing team.
"70% of brands that use outsourcing list their top reason as cost reduction."
Think about it this way: if you hire an agency to manage your SEO for $1000/month, that’s a much lower cost than hiring an internal employee to work on SEO in-house.
Source: https://rockcontent.com/blog/outsourcing-statistic
Further reading on SEO & Localised content
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The Benefits Of Having an In-House SEO Team
One of the significant advantages of in-house SEO is the ability to have complete control over the SEO strategies and implementation. Internal teams often have a deep understanding of the business’s goals, target audience, and unique selling points, allowing them to create tailored SEO strategies that align with the overall marketing efforts
Another advantage of in-house SEO is the immediate availability of resources and expertise. This means that in-house SEO teams can also immediately respond to changes and adapt strategies accordingly. With an internal team, businesses have immediate access to their SEO team who can collaborate directly to implement SEO strategies.
The Pitfalls of In-House SEO
On the other hand, in-house SEO also comes with its challenges. Building and maintaining an in-house SEO team requires significant investment in hiring, training, and continuous education to keep up with the ever-evolving SEO landscape.
Additionally, an effective SEO campaign relies on various tools and applications that can be both costly and constantly changing.
Moreover, the success of in-house SEO heavily relies on the expertise and experience of the team members, which may be limited compared to the collective knowledge of an agency.
Lastly, managing an in-house team can lead to administrative challenges, as you’ll need to coordinate various aspects of SEO, such as content creation, link building, and technical optimisation, among others.
Collective insight, industry insight & testing on scale is an "unfair advantage" an agency has over, in-house expertise.
Annabelle Cochrane, SEO Manager at Digital Nomads HQ
What Does An Outsourced SEO Agency Do?
Outsourcing SEO involves hiring an external agency or consultant to handle all SEO-related tasks on behalf of the business.
These agencies specialise in providing SEO services and have a team of experts with extensive knowledge and experience in optimising websites for search engines.
By outsourcing SEO, businesses can focus on their core competencies while leaving the technical aspects of SEO in the hands of professionals.
The Benefits of Outsourcing SEO Services
When it comes to outsourcing your SEO needs, there are several compelling advantages that can significantly impact your digital marketing strategy. By outsourcing SEO needs to an agency, businesses can benefit from the expertise and knowledge of seasoned SEO experts who can create fully tailored SEO strategies.
These professionals are well-versed in SEO and have tried and tested methods that can drive results. These agencies come equipped with an extensive list of past and current clients, allowing them to showcase proven results.
Unlike in-house SEO, where businesses are required to source and pay for their own SEO tools and applications, outsourcing simplifies this. Not only do agencies charge a set fee for their services and require no additional costs, but outsourcing SEO means that there is also no need for these tools.
Most often, businesses can become stuck when looking for new ideas and strategies. Outsourcing SEO introduces a fresh pair of eyes to your digital marketing strategy which results in innovative ideas and creative approaches.
Factors To Consider When Outsourcing SEO
One of the main concerns of outsourcing SEO is the loss of control over the SEO strategies and implementation. Similarly, as SEO agencies work with multiple clients at the same time there may be a delay in communication times and implementation.
While this is not a significant disadvantage, it is important to determine your expectations and needs for both long-term and short-term priorities.
This lack of control can be particularly challenging for businesses with specific branding requirements or unique target audiences. That is why it is crucial to establish clear communication and expectations with the SEO agency to ensure that the strategies align with the business’s goals and values.
Choosing the right agency is another challenge of outsourcing SEO.
Not all agencies deliver the same level of expertise and results, which is why it is essential to thoroughly research and evaluate potential agencies before making a decision.
Look for agencies with a proven track record of success, relevant industry experience, and a comprehensive understanding of your business’s unique needs.
Additionally, consider reaching out to previous clients or reading reviews to gain insights into the agency’s reliability and professionalism.
Making The Choice Between In-House SEO & SEO Agencies
Cost & Budget
Consider your budget and the resources available for SEO. In-house SEO requires significant upfront investment in hiring and training, as well as ongoing expenses for tools and resources.
Outsourcing SEO, on the other hand, involves paying for the services provided by the agency. Compare the costs and benefits of each approach to determine which option aligns better with your budgetary constraints and overall business goals.
Expertise & Experience
Evaluate the expertise and experience of your internal team versus the capabilities of external agencies. Consider the complexity of your SEO needs and whether your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle them effectively.
Outsourcing SEO provides access to specialised expertise, ensuring that your SEO efforts are in the hands of professionals who are up to date with the latest trends and best practices.
Scalability
Consider the scalability of your SEO efforts. If your business is experiencing rapid growth or has fluctuating SEO needs, outsourcing SEO offers the advantage of quickly scaling efforts by leveraging the resources and expertise of an agency.
In-house SEO may require time-consuming and costly processes to expand the team or train existing members.
Responsiveness
Evaluate the responsiveness and agility required for your SEO strategies. In-house teams can respond to changes and adapt strategies immediately, ensuring that your business stays ahead of the competition.
Outsourcing SEO may involve a longer feedback loop and communication process, which may impact the speed of implementation and responsiveness to changes.
Reliability & Results
Control
Assess the level of control you require over your SEO strategies. In-house SEO offers complete control and visibility over the decision-making process whereas outsourcing SEO may involve some loss of control and limited visibility into the implementation. Determine the level of control that is essential for your business and weigh it against the benefits of outsourcing.
Outsource Your SEO Needs Today!
Deciding between in-house SEO and outsourcing SEO is a complex yet important decision, which ultimately comes down to the needs and goals of the business. By considering factors such as cost, expertise, scalability and control, businesses like yours can make a fully informed choice.
Need a helping hand when it comes to your online presence and SEO needs?
Digital Nomads are your trusted partners! We understand the importance of online visibility for your business and offer fully tailored SEO services to help you achieve your goals.
We have an award-winning team who have extensive experience in helping businesses reach their target audience with the most up-to-date and effective SEO tactics. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you in find the perfect fit for your SEO needs!
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