Outsourcing SEO Services? Pros and Cons You Must Know

I can see you’re wondering whether to insource or outsource your SEO in today’s competitive digital landscape, right? 

It’s a crucial decision, as SEO plays a vital role in boosting your website’s visibility and search ranking across search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

As an SEO agency, we’re pretty familiar with how these choices can impact a business’s online success. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of both insourcing and outsourcing SEO. This will help businesses like yours make well-informed decisions.

Our balanced analysis will allow you to weigh the positives and negatives, so you can decide whether it’s best to hire additional in-house SEO professionals or outsource the work to an agency like ours.

Before you deep dive, here is what Agency Coach, Owner and Founder Mike Schmidt said to us about why SEO Agencies should think of outsourcing during our SEO On-Air Podcast episode.

Read along for our in-depth comparison of insourcing vs. outsourcing SEO, and find out which approach is the perfect fit for your business in this fast-paced online world.

Why is SEO Important for Businesses?

Imagine unlocking the full potential of your business with the power of SEO! By harnessing this vital tool, you can expand your reach, reel in more leads, and fuel growth like never before. 

A commanding online presence not only boosts brand awareness and credibility but also skyrockets your return on investment (ROI). The big question you’re facing now is whether to insource or outsource your SEO efforts for optimal results. 

It’s not uncommon for businesses like yours to invest heavily in SEO, only to stop their efforts prematurely when they don’t see an immediate ROI. 

This issue often occurs when businesses either hire a large in-house team to handle SEO activities or outsource the work to an agency with less proficient SEO experts who struggle to develop an effective organic growth strategy.

Despite these challenges, many businesses that have successfully ranked their websites higher will agree that SEO is worth the investment, whether they choose to insource a team or outsource to an agency. So, carefully consider your options and make the decision that’s best for your business’s unique needs and goals!

What is Outsourcing SEO?

When you outsource SEO, you’re essentially bringing on a third-party agency or consultant to manage everything related to your SEO strategy. They’ll tackle tasks like keyword research, optimizing website content, building backlinks, and ensuring your site meets technical SEO requirements.

One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing SEO is gaining access to specialized expertise. External SEO agencies are well-versed in the latest trends and best practices, giving you a competitive edge. Plus, for small businesses, it’s often more cost-effective than hiring and training an in-house team.

Of course, there are some potential downsides to consider. Some businesses might feel they have less control over the SEO strategy, which can be a concern. Communication barriers could also crop up, leading to misunderstandings or delays.

To minimize these risks, it’s crucial to find a reputable SEO agency or consultant that aligns with your business objectives and has a proven track record. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of outsourcing SEO while keeping any drawbacks in check.

Advantages of Outsourcing SEO

1. Access to expertise: When you outsource your SEO to a specialized agency, you’re tapping into a wealth of experience from a team of seasoned professionals who boast up-to-date knowledge and skills in the field. This expertise can lead to more effective strategies and faster results for you.
2. Cost-effective: Outsourcing your SEO can be a wallet-friendly option, as you only pay for the services you need. You can dodge the expenses associated with hiring, training, and retaining an in-house team, making it a more cost-effective choice for you.
3. Scalability: By outsourcing your SEO services, you’ll enjoy the flexibility to easily scale your efforts to meet your changing needs. This adaptability allows you to adjust your SEO game plan as your business grows or the market evolves, ensuring you stay on top of your industry.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing SEO

1. Less Control: When you outsource your SEO, you might lose some control over the strategy and implementation, as you’re relying on an external partner to manage these aspects.
2. Communication Hurdles: Collaborating with an outsourced SEO partner can sometimes come with communication challenges, especially if they’re in a different time zone or speak a different language. Miscommunication could lead to delays and misunderstandings that might affect your project.
3. Inconsistent Quality: The truth is not all SEO agencies are created equal. Some may deliver fantastic results, while others might fall short of your expectations. To avoid disappointment, it’s crucial to carefully vet potential partners and make sure they’re the right fit for a successful collaboration.

While it may seem tempting to outsource SEO, you could face a loss of control, communication hiccups, and a rollercoaster ride of quality. Choose your SEO partner wisely to conquer the digital realm!

What is Insourcing SEO? 

Think of assembling your very own SEO dream team right within your company! By insourcing your search engine optimization tasks, you’ll be the captain of your own SEO ship, steering clear of relying on external agencies or consultants. 

To make this happen, you’ll recruit and train skilled employees to tackle tasks like keyword research, content optimization, backlink building, and ensuring your website meets technical search engine requirements.

Insourcing SEO offers a treasure trove of benefits. For starters, you’ll have the reins of your SEO strategy, giving you the power to shape it as you see fit. 

Plus, this approach allows for seamless alignment with your business objectives, and over time, it might even save you some precious doubloons.

However, don’t forget that building your SEO squadron requires an investment of time and resources to ensure they stay sharp with the latest SEO trends and algorithms.

In a nutshell, insourcing SEO could be your map to success if you desire greater control and alignment with your goals. Just remember that it takes a dedicated investment in time and resources to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of SEO.

Now, let’s explore the bountiful advantages of insourcing SEO in greater detail!

Advantages of insourcing SEO

1. Control and Flexibility: When you decide to insource your SEO, you’ll enjoy more control over your strategy, which means you can easily adapt to any market changes or competitive shifts. This kind of flexibility is invaluable in the ever-changing digital world we live in today.
2. Deep Understanding of Your Business and Niche: Your in-house SEO team will have a thorough grasp of your business, including the products, services, and target audience. This insight allows them to develop highly tailored and effective SEO strategies that perfectly align with your goals. Consequently, your SEO efforts are more likely to lead to positive results.
3. Collaboration is Key: One of the great things about having an in-house SEO team is that they can work closely with other departments, like marketing, content creation, and web development. This cooperation helps ensure your SEO strategy aligns seamlessly with your overall online presence, creating a unified and powerful digital strategy. 

In a nutshell, insourcing SEO encourages a cohesive approach to digital marketing, which is essential for a thriving online presence.

Disadvantages of Insourcing SEO

When it comes to individual business/website owners considering insourcing SEO, there are also some disadvantages to consider.

1. Lack of Expertise: Building an in-house SEO team for your business or website can be quite a challenge. Finding and affording the right talent can be exhausting, and hiring, training, and retaining skilled professionals can demand a substantial investment of time and resources, which may not be feasible for you, especially if you’re running a small business.
2. Costly Affair: Your in-house SEO team might not have the same breadth of experience and knowledge that specialized SEO agencies possess. This limitation can result in less effective strategies and slower progress for your business, which might not be the most cost-effective option for you.
3. Scalability Issues: Creating and maintaining an in-house SEO team can consume a lot of time and may draw your attention away from other essential aspects of your business. By considering other options, you can ensure that you stay focused on the big picture while still benefiting from effective SEO strategies.

Therefore, while insourcing SEO can offer some benefits, such as control, flexibility, and in-depth knowledge of the business, individual business/website owners should carefully consider the associated costs and limitations before committing to building an in-house SEO team.

Choosing Between Insourcing and Outsourcing SEO

To make the right choice between outsourcing and insourcing SEO, evaluate your businesses’ unique needs, goals, and resources. Consider factors like budget, expertise, and the complexity of your SEO requirements. Weigh the pros and cons of each approach, and choose the option that best aligns with your objectives and resources. Here are a few things to consider: 

Soul-Searching: Dive deep into your needs and goals! Scrutinize your agency’s unique situation by analyzing factors like budget, expertise, internal resources, and the complexity of your SEO requirements. Understanding your specific needs will help you create a roadmap for the perfect SEO strategy.

Partner Quest: Outsourcing? Choose your allies wisely! When opting to outsource, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate potential partners. Investigate their track records, delve into their case studies, and study client testimonials to get a complete picture. Don’t forget to engage in direct conversations to understand their approach and gauge their expertise, ensuring a strong and successful collaboration.

Mastering the Balance: Embrace the power of a hybrid approach! Sometimes, the most effective solution is a mix of insourcing and outsourcing. By maintaining an in-house SEO team for specific tasks and outsourcing specialized or resource-intensive aspects to external partners, you can create a powerhouse SEO strategy tailored to your needs.

The journey to the perfect SEO strategy involves carefully weighing the pros and cons of insourcing and outsourcing. By examining your agency’s unique needs, resources, and goals, you can make an informed decision that paves the way for long-term online success. Embrace the adventure and make your choice with confidence!