Outsourcing SEO projects may just be the tactic you need to beat the competition but how do you make sure you are picking the right partner for the job?
It’s not just about handing over tasks; it’s about finding someone who can deliver real, measurable results. Let;s talk about how to confidently outsource your SEO project without sacrificing quality or control.
In-House SEO vs Outsourcing SEO
In-House SEO: Hiring an SEO specialist full-time means you’ll pay an annual salary. It can range up to $10,000 per month depending on experience. Along with salary, you’ll need to cover benefits, training, and other employee-related costs. The upside is that you have someone fully dedicated to your company’s SEO who can align with your specific goals and respond quickly to changes.
Outsourcing SEO: Outsourcing means you pay for an expert’s billable time, typically a monthly or project-based fee. The benefit here is that tools and software, often expensive when managed in-house, are typically included. Plus, any extra deliverables or tasks are discussed beforehand, giving you a clearer scope of what to expect without the long-term commitment.
The comparison leaves us with a one basic question:
When Is Outsourcing SEO The Best Option?
Did you know that nearly 300,000 jobs are outsourced in the US every year? [rockcontent.com] That means there’s definitely a benefit to it that most businesses have realized.
Outsourcing SEO can be the ideal choice when you’re running a focused campaign and need expert help to drive results (traffic, conversions, or sales).
By handing off SEO to specialists, you can allocate more time to core areas of your business that demand attention. Plus, with the right partner, outsourcing can actually save you money in the long run.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of outsourcing SEO.
Pros
Quickly Addresses Your Company’s Needs: Outsourcing allows you to tap into SEO expertise immediately which helps you address pressing needs faster than building an in-house team.
Ideal for Tight Budgets: For businesses with limited resources, outsourcing can be much more affordable than paying a full-time salary, especially when you factor in the cost of SEO tools and software.
Access to Expertise: You get access to specialists who know the latest SEO tactics and trends. This means your strategy stays up-to-date and aligned with best practices in an ever-changing industry.
Cost-Effective: By outsourcing, you only pay for the services you need, when you need them, avoiding the overhead costs of maintaining an internal SEO team.
Cons
Limited Control: When you outsource, you have less direct control over the day-to-day processes. This can sometimes make it harder to ensure everything aligns with your vision or expectations.
Communication Barriers: Working with an external team, especially across different time zones, can lead to communication delays or misunderstandings.
Risk of Hiring the Wrong Partner: If you end up working with an agency or freelancer who lacks deep market knowledge or experience, it can hurt your SEO efforts and waste both time and money.
This is what makes it so crucial to vet partners carefully. Let’s dive deeper into this in the following sections.
Types of SEO and Their Outsourcing
On-Page SEO: It focuses on optimizing the content and structure of your website’s individual pages to improve rankings. This includes keyword research, content creation, and optimizing elements like title tags, meta descriptions, and headings.
Outsourcing Tips
- Work with a provider that can tailor content to your audience.
- Look for case studies that show proven success in ranking keywords similar to yours.
- For example, if you’re an e-commerce site, ask how they’ve helped other stores increase their rankings.
Off-Page SEO: It involves efforts outside your website to boost its authority and rankings, mainly through backlinks and social signals. The goal is to build a trustworthy profile that search engines recognize.
Outsourcing Tips
- Ensure the SEO partner has experience building legitimate, high-quality links from trusted websites in your industry.
- Avoid anyone promising “thousands of backlinks” in a short time.
- Ask for examples of past link-building campaigns to ensure they follow safe practices.
Technical SEO: It focuses on the backend of your website, making sure it runs smoothly and search engines can crawl and index it easily. This includes optimizing site speed, mobile responsiveness, and resolving any errors or broken links.
Outsourcing Tips
- Look for technical SEO experts who can provide an audit of your site’s health.
- Ask for examples of how they’ve improved other sites’ speed, mobile usability, and fixed technical issues.
- A good example would be someone who successfully optimized a large site with many pages, keeping it both fast and fully crawlable.
Local SEO: It helps businesses that serve specific regions to rank better in local search results. This involves optimizing Google Business profiles, local keywords, and gathering local reviews.
Outsourcing Tips
- If you’re outsourcing local SEO, ensure your provider understands your local market.
- Ask for examples of local businesses they’ve helped rank higher in searches like “plumber near me” or “best coffee shop in [city].”
- They should also be skilled in managing Google Business profiles and obtaining local reviews.
How To Outsource Search Engine Optimization Project?
When outsourcing SEO, asking the right questions can lay the foundation for a successful, long-term partnership.
What marketing services do you want to outsource? Be clear about the specific SEO tasks you need help with. The more specific you are, the easier it is to find the right expert for the job.
Will it be a task for a company or a freelancer? Decide if you want to hire a full-service SEO agency or a freelancer. Agencies often offer a broader range of services and dedicated teams, while freelancers may provide more flexibility and personal attention.
What goals do you want to achieve with the SEO campaigns? Whether your focus is on driving traffic, improving conversions, or boosting local search visibility, it’s crucial to define your goals clearly. This will guide the entire process and help the hired party design a strategy that aligns with your business objectives.
Have you been clear in delivering the goals to the party you hire? Make sure the expectations and goals are crystal clear from the outset. Clearly communicate what success looks like for you, so there are no misunderstandings down the line.
What will be the KPIs to track progress? Common KPIs include organic traffic growth, keyword ranking improvements, and conversion rates. Ensure both parties agree on how success will be measured.
How regularly will updates be discussed between the two parties? Set a schedule for regular updates, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Frequent communication is essential for staying on track, identifying issues early, and making necessary adjustments to the SEO strategy.
Outsourcing SEO Project – Mistakes To Avoid
- Opting for a provider with rates far below the average may seem like a good deal, but it often leads to poor results. Cheap services can cost you more in the long run, as you might need to fix mistakes or start over.
- Hiring an inexperienced team can do more harm than good.
- A poorly executed strategy can damage your search rankings, making it harder to recover later. Metrics like website visitors, session duration, or social media likes may look impressive, but they don’t always translate into real business results.
- Make sure your SEO strategy aligns with goals like lead generation, conversion rates, or sales, not just empty metrics. For example, increased traffic means little if it’s not bringing in qualified leads or customers.
- Be wary of companies that promise fast results, as they may be using black-hat techniques that could lead to penalties.
- Also, avoid businesses that aren’t transparent in their communications.
Take Home Message
Outsourcing SEO can be a powerful way to elevate your online presence and drive real results. By understanding the different types of SEO, defining clear goals, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can find the right partner like Brand in Marketing to help your business grow.
Choose wisely, communicate openly, and watch your digital growth unfold!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start an SEO business?
Begin by building your SEO skills through courses and practice, then create a portfolio showcasing your successes to attract clients.
Is search engine optimization really profitable?
Yes, SEO can be highly profitable, as businesses increasingly rely on organic search for visibility and customer acquisition.
Does Google pay for SEO?
No, Google does not pay for SEO; businesses invest in SEO services to improve their rankings on Google and other search engines.
How to decide the cost for outsourcing SEO projects?
Consider factors like the scope of work, the provider’s experience, and your budget. Typically, costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month based on the services required.
