When Should You Hire an SEO? Freelance or Agency?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses of all sizes in today’s digital age. SEO ensures your website gets the visibility it needs to attract new customers and grow your business online. However, not every business requires professional SEO support from the get-go, and deciding between hiring a freelance SEO consultant or an SEO agency can be tricky. In this article, we’ll explore when you should consider hiring an SEO expert, the differences between freelance and agency support, and how to make the right decision for your business.

What Size Business or Website Requires SEO Consultant Support?

Small Businesses with New Websites

If you’re a small business or startup just getting off the ground, SEO might seem like a secondary concern. In the beginning, you can handle basic SEO tasks like optimizing your website for mobile, ensuring fast load times, and incorporating keywords into your content. However, as your website grows and you begin to notice that your DIY SEO efforts aren’t driving enough traffic, it may be time to call in an expert.

Professional SEO support is often needed when small businesses move from “just launching” to “growth mode.” This is when SEO experts can help set up a solid foundation to boost your search rankings and ensure you’re staying competitive.

Medium-Sized Businesses with Growing Traffic

For medium-sized businesses with a solid customer base and consistent web traffic, SEO support becomes essential to keep up with the competition. As your business grows, you’ll need ongoing optimization to avoid plateauing in search rankings. You might also face increased competition for target keywords, requiring a more aggressive SEO strategy.

At this stage, professional SEO can help you expand into new markets, capture more search volume, and implement other tactics like local SEO, content marketing, and technical SEO audits.

Large Businesses or High-Traffic Websites

If you’re a large business with complex website architecture, multiple products, or multiple service lines, SEO becomes even more critical. Large websites require ongoing SEO management to ensure search engines can crawl and index content correctly. This is where technical SEO, content SEO, and link-building strategies come into play, requiring expertise that only a seasoned SEO professional can provide.

In cases like these, an SEO consultant or agency will be invaluable in helping manage large-scale SEO strategies, track performance, and stay ahead of search engine algorithm changes.

Freelance vs. Agency Support: Which One is Right for You?

Freelance SEO

Pros:

• Freelancers tend to be more affordable than agencies, making them a good fit for smaller budgets.
• You get a more personalized experience, as you’re working directly with the individual responsible for your SEO strategy.
• Freelancers often have more flexibility in working on custom projects or shorter timelines.

Cons:

• A freelancer may not have access to the same tools and resources that an agency can offer, which could limit the depth of their work.
• They may struggle to handle larger, more complex websites or multiple ongoing projects simultaneously.
• If your freelancer takes time off or moves on to other projects, you may find yourself without SEO support for a period.

Freelancers are often ideal for smaller businesses or specific projects that don’t require a full-scale, ongoing SEO strategy.

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SEO Agency

Pros:

• An agency typically comes with a team of experts specializing in different aspects of SEO (technical SEO, content SEO, local SEO, etc.).
• Agencies typically have access to more tools and staffing resources that allow them to provide additional services and manage large-scale projects.
• They can scale their services to meet your growing needs, whether that’s handling multiple campaigns or supporting international SEO efforts.

Cons:

• Agencies are generally more expensive than freelancers.
• You may receive less personalized service since you’re one of many clients.
• Agencies can experience staff turnover, leading to potential disruptions or inconsistencies in your SEO strategy as new team members come on board.

An agency is best suited for medium to large businesses that require a broad range of services and are looking for long-term, scalable SEO strategies.

Vetting an SEO Agency or Freelancer: Good vs. Bad

Now that you know the basic differences between freelancers and agencies, how do you choose the right one for your business? Here are some key points to consider when vetting potential SEO partners.

Characteristics of a Good SEO Agency/Freelancer

• Proven Track Record: Look for case studies, testimonials, or references that demonstrate the SEO professional’s ability to deliver results. Past success in your industry is a bonus.
• Transparent Communication: A good SEO expert will set realistic goals and provide clear explanations of their strategies. They should also give you regular progress updates and insightful performance reports.
• Tailored Strategies: Avoid cookie-cutter approaches. A quality SEO partner will tailor their strategy to fit your specific business needs and goals, considering your industry, competitors, and audience.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Unrealistic Promises: Beware of anyone promising guaranteed #1 rankings on Google. SEO is complex, and no one can guarantee specific rankings.
• Vague Strategies: If a freelancer or agency can’t clearly explain their SEO process or how they will improve your rankings, it’s a sign they may not be skilled enough to deliver results.
• Lack of Reporting: Any reputable SEO provider should offer clear, detailed reports on the work they’re doing and the results it’s generating. A lack of transparency is a serious warning sign.

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on SEO?

One of the most common questions businesses ask when considering SEO support is, “How much will this cost?” The answer varies greatly depending on factors like industry, business size, and the type of SEO you need.

Industry Considerations

• Highly-Regulated Industries: If you’re in a highly-regulated industry such as healthcare, finance, or legal services, expect to pay more for SEO due to the complexities involved. SEO strategies will need to account for industry-specific regulations, compliance issues, and the creation of authoritative content, driving costs higher.
• Less-Regulated Industries: If your business operates in a less-regulated industry, you may spend less on SEO, but competition can still influence pricing. For instance, highly competitive niches like hospitality or retail may require more aggressive SEO strategies and a higher budget.

Business Type and SEO Costs

• E-commerce Businesses: E-commerce websites often require more complex SEO strategies, including product page optimization, technical SEO, content marketing, and link-building campaigns. Expect higher costs, especially if you’re targeting highly competitive markets.
• B2B Businesses: SEO for B2B companies may focus more on long-tail keywords, lead generation, and content marketing strategies, which can vary in cost depending on your goals.
• B2C Businesses: Costs for B2C SEO can vary based on whether you need local SEO (for brick-and-mortar businesses) or a broader SEO strategy targeting a national or global audience.

General Pricing Expectations

• Freelancers: Depending on their experience and the scope of work, freelancers generally charge between $500 and $5,000 per month. This range can vary based on their skill level, the complexity of your project, and the industry you operate in.
• Agencies: Agencies typically charge anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on the size of your business, the complexity of the website, and the level of service you need. Some larger agencies might charge even more for large-scale enterprise projects.

Need an SEO Partner You Can Trust?

SEO is an essential part of growing your business online, but knowing when to hire an expert and whether to choose a freelancer or an agency depends on several factors, including your business size, industry, and SEO needs. If you’re looking for a partner who can provide tailored, data-driven SEO strategies to help your business thrive, Datastrom is here to help. Whether you’re a small business just getting started or a larger organization with complex SEO needs, we offer the expertise and support to drive real results. Contact us today to discuss how we can create a customized SEO strategy that aligns with your goals and grows your online presence.