Whether you’re a business owner or marketing manager, a common dilemma would be to invest in an SEO agency Malaysia or hire an SEO expert full-time to increase your organic traffic. That is why we are here to give you a full insight into this blog post,
- What is SEO Agency and what is In-House SEO?
- What’re the main differences between In House SEO vs Outsourcing – the Pro’s & Con’s for both?
- Which option should you choose?
To those that are not in the loop of the current digital trends, SEO is one of the best ways to increase organic traffic to your website.
What Is An SEO Agency?
SEO Agencies will take care of your entire SEO campaign from A to Z. There have a team of experts, from copywriters to SEO experts, that will manage your website’s on-page and off-page optimization to increase your organic traffic. An SEO agency Malaysia handles all of the content creation, link building and even web design, to make your website more SEO-friendly and make it easier to be found on search engines.
What Is In-House SEO?
In-house SEO is where you’ll invest in hiring a team of experts to handle your entire SEO campaign. It’s basically hiring several employees to handle your website’s on-page and off-page optimization. This could be either a solo SEO expert or a team with their own skills and expertise.
The Differences Between In-House SEO and an Outsourcing SEO Agency
The primary distinction between bringing in-house SEO and hiring an agency for SEO is that in-house teams are solely dedicated to your company’s SEO needs, while an agency caters to various clients across multiple sectors.
If you lean towards an in-house approach, you’ll be onboarding staff specifically for SEO and marketing roles. On the other hand, with an agency, they could fully manage your organization’s SEO, based on the terms of the agreement.
Now, you might be pondering which path is best for your organization. Should you recruit in-house talent for your SEO needs, or entrust an agency with the task? Let’s delve into the advantages and drawbacks of both options.
Let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of managing SEO in-house:
Advantages & Disadvantages of SEO In-House
Pros:
1. Dedicated Focus: An in-house team focuses solely on your company’s objectives and priorities without juggling multiple clients. This can lead to a more tailored and consistent approach.
2. Deep Understanding: Over time, in-house staff develop a profound understanding of your brand, products, services, and company culture, which can enhance the alignment of SEO strategies with company goals.
3. Quick Communication: In-house teams are generally more accessible for quick questions, updates, or strategy shifts. There’s no need to schedule a call or wait for an external party’s response.
4. Cost Predictability: With salaried employees, you might find more predictable monthly costs, especially when compared to agencies that might charge for additional services.
5. Control and Oversight: Direct management of the SEO team allows for quicker decision-making and real-time adjustments to strategies.
Cons:
1. Limited Skill Set: Your in-house team might lack the diverse skill sets an agency can provide, especially if you’re a smaller company. This can limit the range of tactics and strategies employed.
2. Higher Initial Costs: Recruiting, training, and equipping an in-house team can lead to higher upfront costs than partnering with an agency.
3. Resource Limitations: Unlike agencies that can pull from a larger pool of resources and tools, in-house teams might have constraints in terms of tools, software, and ongoing training.
4. Potential for Stagnation: With a fixed team, there’s a risk of becoming set in certain ways or strategies, missing out on evolving industry trends.
5. Scaling Challenges: As your company grows, your in-house team might struggle to scale SEO efforts quickly enough to meet new challenges.
Now, let’s delve into the benefits and potential downsides of hiring an SEO agency:
Advantages & Disadvantages of Hiring SEO Agency
Pros:
1. Expertise and Experience: Agencies typically employ a diverse group of experts who have experience in different areas of SEO. This allows for a holistic approach to strategy and implementation.
2. Access to Advanced Tools: Many agencies have subscriptions to top-tier SEO tools and software that can be expensive for a single company to purchase and maintain.
3. Cost-Efficiency: While agencies can seem expensive, consider the combined costs of hiring multiple in-house experts, training, tools, and other resources. In many cases, an agency might offer better value for the money.
4. Flexibility: If you’re not satisfied with the agency’s performance, it’s generally easier to switch agencies than to hire a new in-house team. Contracts define the scope and length of commitment.
5. Staying Updated: Good SEO agencies stay updated with the latest trends, algorithm changes, and best practices, ensuring that your strategies are always in line with the current SEO landscape.
Cons:
1. Divided Attention: Agencies service multiple clients, which might mean they’re not dedicated exclusively to your company’s SEO needs at all times.
2. Potential Communication Delays: Being external, there could be some delay in communication or a less immediate feedback loop compared to an in-house team.
3. Less Company Integration: An external agency might not have the same deep understanding of your company culture, products, or services as an in-house team might.
4. Variable Quality: The quality of agencies varies widely. While some provide excellent service and results, others might not deliver the expected value.
5. Potential for Additional Costs: Some agencies might charge extra for services not covered in the initial agreement, leading to unexpected expenses.
Final Verdict – Which Option Should You Choose?
Choosing between in-house SEO and hiring an SEO agency is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact a company’s digital presence and growth. Both options come with distinct advantages and drawbacks, so the final choice should align with your company’s objectives, budget, and resources. Here’s an in-depth review to help you navigate this decision:
Company Size and Budget:
- Smaller businesses with limited resources might find more value in hiring an SEO agency. This is because establishing a full in-house team requires hiring multiple professionals, accessing advanced tools, and continual training – all of which can be cost-intensive.
- Larger enterprises with substantial budgets might benefit from having an in-house SEO team because of the specific, undivided attention they can give to the brand. Moreover, the cumulative costs of agency services over the long term might equate to or surpass the investment in an in-house team.
Depth of Knowledge and Integration:
- In-house teams, being immersed in the company, often have a deeper understanding of the brand, products, services, and culture. This intimate knowledge can lead to more tailored strategies and better alignment with overall business goals.
- Agencies bring a breadth of experience from working with various clients across industries. This can be beneficial for companies looking for fresh perspectives or insights into what competitors might be doing.
Scalability and Flexibility:
- Agencies often have the capacity to scale efforts more quickly, tapping into a wide range of resources and specialists as needed.
- With in-house teams, scaling might involve recruiting more staff, which can be time-consuming.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Engagements:
- Companies looking for a long-term, integrated approach might prefer in-house SEO. Over time, as the team becomes more embedded in the company’s operations, the ROI might also improve.
- For businesses uncertain about their long-term SEO needs or those looking for a short-term boost in their online presence, hiring an agency might be more appropriate.
Hybrid Approach: Considering the strengths and weaknesses of both models, some companies opt for a middle ground. They might hire a smaller in-house SEO team to manage core functions and collaborate closely with an external agency to tap into specialized skills and tools.
In the nutshell, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your decision should be based on a clear assessment of your company’s needs, the available budget, long-term objectives, and the level of control and flexibility you desire in your SEO strategy. Some businesses thrive with in-house teams, while others achieve their goals more effectively with agencies. Evaluate your circumstances, consider potential future growth and changes, and choose the option that feels most aligned with your vision and resources.