SEO Agency vs Freelancer vs In-House SEO: Which One Fits Your Business?

With each passing day, the value of online marketing grows. Both large and small start-ups are engaging in digital marketing channels to get revenue and a greater return on investment.

Search Engine Optimization, also known as SEO, is a term that refers to the process of optimizing a website. SEO is one of the most vital foundations of internet marketing and is a long-term investment that firms should consider. 

But the million-dollar question is how to invest in SEO. Several options include hiring an in-house SEO team, outsourcing your SEO strategy to an SEO agency, or passing it on to SEO freelancers.

Which Is Better? SEO Agency vs Freelance SEO vs In-House SEO

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What Are Your SEO Goals?

When deciding whether to hire an in-house SEO team, freelance SEO, or an SEO agency, it is important to know your SEO goals. Your SEO goal is the target you are aiming to hit with your SEO efforts. If you don’t have a specific goal in mind, it will be difficult to measure whether or not your efforts are successful.

Some common SEO goals include increasing website traffic, increasing brand awareness, and improving conversion rates. Knowing your goal will help you determine the right type of SEO services to pursue. If your goal is to increase website traffic, for example, you’ll need to focus on techniques that improve your site’s ranking on search engine results pages. If your goal is to improve usability, on the other hand, you’ll need to focus on optimizing your website for users rather than search engines. 

For more ideas on how to set the right SEO goal for your website, check out this guide here.

Hiring an In-House SEO Team

SEO in the contemporary world is no longer a one-man show, and to see significant increases in SERP ranks, traffic, and leads, you will need a committed team of in-house SEO specialists. In-house teams provide several advantages, including regularly assisting with minor and major issues on your website instantly. Also, an in-house team will be able to give your website the attention it deserves with an SEO strategy perfectly tailored to your needs. This is because the in-house team will only have one client to focus on. This effectively gives them more time and resources to solely focus on lesser websites, allowing them to be more thorough and in-depth when it comes to optimization.  

However, having an in-house SEO team is often hindered by budget constraints. Setting up an in-house team is costly and not necessarily recommended for start-up companies. In addition, you may also need to develop a training plan for your in-house team if you are planning on hiring fresh SEO specialists. Experienced specialists may cost equal or more than outsourcing the project to an agency.

In addition, running a good campaign will require various resources and expertise. Investing into such resources in-house is not feasible as you’d be under-utilizing them. Committing to long-term contracts with your in-house employees will be more costly in the long run than short-term contracts with an SEO company or freelancer.

Outsource to an SEO Agency

SEO Agencies Have More Experience After Dealing With Various Clients From Several Industries

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When a company does not have the funds to engage an in-house SEO team, outsourcing to a digital agency that provides professional SEO services and internet marketing is the best alternative.

SEO companies often employ a team of SEO experts, content creators, link builders, and project managers, and they typically operate with several customers throughout the world.

Outsourcing your SEO needs to an SEO firm is beneficial in that you’re entrusting your work to individuals who are experts. SEO experts often work with several customers and have experience dealing with various problems. So, if your website has an SEO issue, they will quickly detect and resolve it. 

However, because they already have a lot of clients, agencies frequently don’t have time to connect with you on a personal level. This poses issues when your firm wishes to shift its web marketing approach drastically.

Click here to learn more about how to choose the right digital marketing agency for you!

Hiring SEO Freelancers

An SEO Freelancer Can Provide A More Personalized Experience

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SEO freelancers don’t work in-house or for a digital marketing agency. They not only take on your SEO project but are also accountable for increasing traffic, ranking, and leads for your company.

People who are dissatisfied with the agency environment and their manner of working typically hire SEO freelancers as a cheaper alternative for their web marketing needs. SEO freelancers don’t take on too many projects and give you more one-on-one attention.

Despite having a lot of experience, freelancers don’t necessarily have the same experience and knowledge level when it comes to a specific industry. It can also be more difficult to find and vet quality freelancers than to find and hire an agency or in-house team. An SEO freelance consultant is probably the best choice for businesses that want a more personalized experience.

We hope this detailed comparison of SEO marketing options can help you decide what is right for your business.

If you’re looking for an SEO agency in Malaysia that provides SEO audits and personalized assistance, we’ll be happy to help you out. Contact us today, and we’ll get your SEO journey started!

To learn more about how SEO can benefit your business, check out our related article here.