When it comes to improving your website’s search engine rankings and online visibility, SEO is non-negotiable. But the question many businesses face is whether to hire an SEO agency or a freelancer to handle their SEO efforts. Both options come with their benefits, but it’s important to consider your business needs, budget, and long-term goals before making a decision. Let’s explore the pros and cons of hiring an SEO agency versus a freelancer to help you make an informed decision.
Expertise and Experience
SEO Agency:
One of the main advantages of hiring an SEO agency is the level of expertise and experience they bring. Agencies typically have a team of specialists who are highly skilled in various aspects of SEO, including on-page optimisation, link building, content creation, and technical SEO. With a diverse team, agencies can tackle every aspect of your SEO strategy with a wealth of experience, which is especially important for complex, large-scale projects. Check out the tools and strategies for SEO tracking that they might use.
Freelancer:
While freelancers can offer highly specialised knowledge and can be experts in certain aspects of SEO, they might not have the same breadth of expertise as an agency. If you hire a freelancer, you may need to hire additional professionals for tasks they’re not as skilled in, such as content creation or web design. This can result in a less integrated approach to your SEO efforts.
Cost-Effectiveness
SEO Agency:
Hiring an SEO agency can be a bigger financial commitment than working with a freelancer. Agencies often charge higher rates due to their larger team and overheads. However, this investment can be worthwhile for businesses that need comprehensive, ongoing SEO support and require expertise in multiple areas. Agencies also typically offer structured packages with clear pricing, making it easier to budget for long-term SEO campaigns.
Freelancer:
Freelancers are generally more affordable than agencies, making them an attractive option for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Freelancers can offer more flexibility in pricing and may be willing to tailor packages to suit your specific needs. However, while a freelancer might seem like a more cost-effective solution, you may have to compromise on the range of services they can provide.
Scalability and Resources
SEO Agency:
SEO agencies have the resources and capacity to scale up efforts when necessary. If your business is growing or requires more intensive SEO campaigns, an agency can adapt and bring in additional resources to meet your needs. This scalability is particularly important for businesses with big goals or projects that need quick execution, such as national or international SEO.
Freelancer:
While freelancers can be highly skilled, their ability to scale efforts may be limited. They often have fewer resources and may struggle to handle large projects or manage several clients at once. If you plan to expand your SEO efforts in the future, you may outgrow the services of a freelancer.
Long-Term Strategy vs. Short-Term Gains
SEO Agency:
An SEO agency is likely to focus on long-term growth and sustainable SEO practices. They typically take a strategic approach to improve your rankings gradually, ensuring that your SEO efforts are aligned with your business goals. This long-term vision is ideal if you’re looking for a partner to drive consistent results over time and build your brand’s authority in the market.
Freelancer:
Freelancers can also provide long-term strategies, but depending on their availability, they might be more focused on quick wins to show immediate results. This can be beneficial for businesses looking for short-term improvements, but it might not lead to sustainable growth in the long run. A freelancer may also have less capacity to implement a comprehensive SEO strategy over a prolonged period.
Are There Any Catches to Free Discovery Calls?
You’re intrigued by an SEO agency and are eager to find out more about their services. You notice that they offer free discovery calls for potential clients. Is this something that you should take advantage of or is there a catch?
Most people get suspicious when companies are offering something for free. This is particularly true when it comes to discovery calls. They assume that the whole thing will be a sales talk and one that will make it hard to walk away. But, you should know that professional discovery calls aren’t like this. In fact, they’re very informative. Here’s why you should book one.
Talk to the Team
Do you want to know more about the people that are behind the computer screen? Well, a discovery call is an opportunity to speak to the professionals who will be taking care of your SEO. You can work out whether you trust them, what their experience is like and if you want to go ahead and start a contract. People can sound great on a website. But, it gives you peace of mind when you speak directly to them about your business goals.
Negotiate the Price
Discovery calls are often where you can get a quote for professional services. They take the time to listen to your goals and will quote you based on the services you need and the team available. But, this doesn’t mean that you have to accept this price straight away. Instead, since you’re on a call with the team, this is your opportunity to negotiate. You have the chance to get a better deal and come to an arrangement.
Conclusion: Which Is the Best Investment for Your Business?
Choosing between an SEO agency and a freelancer depends on your business’s needs, goals, and budget. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, long-term SEO strategy with the expertise of a team, an SEO agency may be your best bet. They provide a wide range of services, scalability, and structured support, making them an ideal choice for businesses with bigger goals or more complex SEO needs.
On the other hand, if you’re a smaller business with a tight budget or prefer a more personalised approach, a freelancer can be an excellent choice. They offer flexibility, lower costs, and more direct communication, but their capacity to scale and handle large projects may be limited.
