Which is better for small businesses: SEO agency or in-house SEO?

For small businesses, hiring an SEO agency is often the better choice as it’s cost-effective and provides access to expert knowledge and advanced tools.

How do SEO agencies help businesses grow faster?

SEO agencies use advanced tools and strategies to boost your website's ranking, drive organic traffic, and convert visitors into customers faster than in-house teams can do.

What are the main challenges of managing an in-house SEO team?

Managing an in-house SEO team can be challenging due to the high cost of hiring and training, lack of expertise, and limited access to advanced tools.

How does SEO impact business growth in a competitive market?

SEO helps businesses stand out in a competitive market by improving their visibility, ranking higher on search engine results, and reaching their target audience effectively.

SEO Agency vs In-House SEO: Which is Better for Growing Businesses?

Ali Ahmed
Feb 18
5 min read

In today’s digital world, search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for any business looking to grow and stand out. But when it comes to SEO, businesses face a common question: should they hire an SEO agency or build an in-house SEO team? This blog will explore both options, discussing the pros and cons of each approach, and provide you with practical insights to help you decide which is better for your business.

What is SEO and Why Is It Important?

Before we dive into the specifics of SEO agency vs in-house SEO, let's first understand what SEO is. SEO involves optimizing your website to improve its ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). The better your SEO, the more likely your business will be found by customers online, driving more traffic, leads, and ultimately, sales.

When implemented correctly, SEO is one of the most cost-effective ways to grow your business and reach your target audience. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, SEO can help you gain visibility in your industry.

SEO Agency vs In-House SEO: What’s the Difference?

SEO agencies are external teams that specialize in digital marketing and SEO. They bring expertise, advanced tools, and experience to the table, and can offer a comprehensive SEO strategy for your business. In-house SEO refers to building a team within your organization that handles all SEO tasks, from keyword research to technical optimization.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each approach.

SEO Agency: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Expertise & Experience: SEO agencies specialize in SEO and have a team of experts who are up-to-date with the latest industry trends, Google updates, and advanced tools. If you’re looking for a strategy that uses cutting-edge techniques, agencies are the way to go.
Access to Advanced Tools: Agencies have access to premium SEO tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz, which can help them analyze your website’s performance, keyword rankings, and backlinks more efficiently. These tools are often expensive for small businesses to maintain in-house.
Scalability: As your business grows, agencies can easily scale their services to match your expanding SEO needs. Whether you need more content, backlinks, or advanced technical optimization, agencies can adjust their resources quickly.
Cost-Effective for Smaller Businesses: For small businesses, hiring an agency might be more cost-effective than building a full-time team. Instead of paying salaries and offering benefits, you can work with an agency on a contract basis, paying for the services you need.

Cons:

Less Control Over Strategy: Working with an agency means you might have less direct control over your SEO strategy. While agencies often involve clients in the process, their remote nature can sometimes create communication gaps.
Potential for Misalignment with Company Goals: SEO agencies may not fully understand your business goals and may not have an in-depth knowledge of your industry. This could lead to strategies that aren't perfectly aligned with your overall objectives.

In-House SEO: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Full Control Over Strategy: With an in-house SEO team, you have complete control over the strategy, execution, and results. Your team will be more integrated into the business, and their efforts can be directly aligned with your company’s goals.
Better Alignment with Company Culture: An in-house team will be more familiar with your company culture, products, and customers. They will be able to tailor their SEO strategies in a way that reflects your business's unique voice and objectives.
Long-Term Investment in SEO: If you plan to focus on SEO as a long-term growth strategy, having an in-house team can be more sustainable. With the right resources and time, your team can build a deep knowledge of your business and create SEO strategies that grow with you.

Cons:

Requires Significant Investment: Building an in-house team can be costly. You’ll need to pay for salaries, benefits, and ongoing training. Plus, your team will need access to SEO tools, which can be expensive.
Limited Expertise: While you may hire a talented in-house team, they might not have the same breadth of experience or access to the advanced tools that agencies offer. This could limit their ability to keep up with rapidly changing SEO trends.
Scaling Challenges: As your business grows, you may find it challenging to scale your in-house team quickly. This could lead to delays in optimizing your site or tackling new SEO challenges.

Which Option is Best for Your Business?

The decision between SEO agency vs in-house SEO depends on the size of your business, your goals, and your resources. Let’s break it down:

Small Businesses & Startups: If you're a small business or startup, an SEO agency might be the best option. It’s cost-effective, gives you access to a wealth of expertise, and allows you to focus on growing your business rather than managing an SEO team.
Medium to Large Businesses: For established businesses with a bigger budget, an in-house SEO team may be worth considering. This will give you more control and alignment with your company’s goals. However, if you prefer expert help, a hybrid approach (working with an agency while managing some in-house efforts) could also be effective.

FAQs:

How do I know whether to choose an SEO agency or build an in-house team?
- It depends on your budget, resources, and goals. Small businesses typically benefit from SEO agencies, while larger companies might prefer an in-house team for long-term strategy alignment.
Can an SEO agency help with local SEO?
- Yes, SEO agencies specialize in local SEO and can help your business rank higher for region-specific searches.
How long does it take to see results from SEO?
- SEO is a long-term strategy. It typically takes 3-6 months to start seeing significant results, but the impact can last for years.
What’s the difference between local SEO and global SEO?
- Local SEO focuses on targeting customers in your geographical area, while global SEO targets a broader, worldwide audience.

How SEO Agencies Can Help Your Business Grow Faster

Choosing an SEO agency can significantly speed up your business’s growth. Agencies specialize in local SEO and global SEO strategies, helping you target the right audience through proper GEO-targeting. Additionally, they implement AI-driven SEO strategies that improve your rankings using intelligent data analysis and automation.

SEO agencies can create a customized strategy for your business, leveraging tools like Google AI and generative AI to stay ahead of the competition. By improving your site’s technical SEO, enhancing content, and building quality backlinks, agencies help drive organic traffic that converts.

At Slicky Media, we specialize in helping businesses like yours grow through SEO strategies that are designed to deliver results. Whether you choose an SEO agency or want to discuss building an in-house SEO team, we can help guide you through the process and create a plan that works for your business.

Explore our SEO Services today and start your journey toward better visibility, higher rankings, and more leads.