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The Pros and Cons of Hiring an SEO Agency

06 Mar, 2023

Josh Hopton-Stewart

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If you're reading this, you're probably already familiar with the value Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has in the digital landscape.

With millions of websites vying for top spots on search engines like Google, SEO is a crucial component of any effective digital marketing strategy. It's all about ensuring your website appears high in search results for relevant keywords, so you can reach your target audience and stay ahead of the competition.

Some businesses have the in-house expertise and resources to manage their SEO efforts, while others prefer to enlist the help of an SEO agency to ramp up their website's visibility and drive traffic. In this article, we'll weigh up the pros and cons of hiring an SEO agency, so you can make an informed decision on whether it's the right move for your business.


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The Pros of Hiring an SEO Agency

1. SEO agencies have the expertise and experience

When it comes to SEO, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business has its unique set of challenges and requirements, and an effective SEO strategy must be tailored accordingly. And this is where SEO agencies can help!

Typically, SEO agencies have a team of experienced professionals who are well-versed in the latest SEO techniques and trends. They're familiar with the complex algorithms used by search engines like Google, and can develop a customised strategy that aligns with a business' goals and objectives.

By tapping into their expertise and experience, an SEO agency can help you boost your business' online visibility and attract more qualified traffic to your website. This can translate into better brand recognition, higher conversions, and ultimately, a superior return on investment.

2. SEO agencies have access to advanced SEO tools

SEO agencies have access to advanced SEO tools that can be expensive and may not be feasible for smaller businesses to invest in. These tools can help businesses improve their website's ranking on search engines, identify areas of improvement, and track their progress over time.

Keyword research tools

Keyword research tools like AnswerThePublic and Ubersuggest are one example of these valuable resources. They allow SEO agencies to identify the most relevant and high-traffic keywords in your industry or niche. By integrating these keywords into your website's content and meta tags, an SEO agency can help you rank higher for those keywords and attract more qualified traffic to your website.

Competitor analysis tools

Competitor analysis tools like Ahrefs and SEMRush are another valuable resource that an SEO agency can use to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. By examining their website structure, content, and backlink profile, an SEO agency can develop a more effective SEO strategy that sets you apart from your competitors.

Analytics tools

Analytics tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics are also crucial for monitoring your website's traffic, engagement, and conversion rates. With this data, an SEO agency can measure the effectiveness of your SEO strategy and identify areas for improvement. This can help optimise your website's content, user experience, and overall SEO strategy.

By hiring an SEO agency, you can benefit from these advanced tools without having to invest a significant amount of money. This can help you stay competitive in your industry and attract more qualified traffic to your website, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness and higher conversions.

3. It frees up your time

The reality of SEO is that doing bits and bobs when you have the time is not going to have much effect on your results. SEO requires consistent long-term work. How much time is required is entirely dependent on the state of your current SEO health and your goals. However, if SEO is something you want to invest in, some sources suggest a minimum of 12 hours a week working on SEO is required to see any form of improvement in results.

That's a big ask, particularly for businesses that don't have the resources or know-how to manage it in-house. That's where outsourcing to an SEO agency can really pay off - let the experts take the reins while you concentrate on other critical aspects of your business.

One of the biggest advantages of partnering with an SEO agency is that they have a team of dedicated professionals who are solely focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for their clients. From conducting keyword research to building quality backlinks and creating compelling content, an SEO agency can handle all aspects of your SEO strategy with ease, freeing up your time to focus on your core business activities like product development, customer service, and sales.

Furthermore, SEO agencies have the necessary experience and expertise to execute SEO strategies more efficiently than businesses that are just getting started with SEO. They have a deep understanding of what works and what doesn't, and they can quickly identify areas of improvement to help you achieve your goals. So, instead of wasting time and resources trying to navigate the intricacies of SEO on your own, consider partnering with a professional SEO agency to help you achieve your desired results.

4. You'll get a customised SEO strategy

Like many things, there are general best practices to follow when developing and implementing an SEO strategy. However, by hiring an SEO agency, they’ll use their expertise and experience to utilise these best practices in the context of your specific business.

When you hire an SEO agency, the first step is typically an initial consultation to discuss your business's specific needs and goals. This helps the agency understand your business's target audience, industry, and competition. The agency will then conduct a comprehensive analysis of your website, including its structure, content, and backlink profile.

Based on this analysis, the agency will develop a customised SEO strategy that addresses your business's specific needs and goals. This strategy may include keyword research, content creation, on-page optimisation, technical SEO, and link building. The agency will also track the progress of the strategy and adjust it as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet your business's needs.

A customised SEO strategy can help your business achieve its goals and stay competitive in your industry. By working with an experienced SEO agency, you can trust that the strategy is based on industry best practices and designed to deliver measurable results.

A customised SEO strategy can help your business achieve its goals and stay competitive in your industry.


5. More focus on ROI

The advantages of a customised SEO strategy is that there will be focus on building a positive return on investment (ROI) for your business.

An experienced SEO agency will take the time to understand a business's goals and objectives, and develop an SEO strategy that aligns with these goals. The agency will analyse the business's website and identify areas of improvement that can help boost the website's online visibility and drive more qualified traffic.

The ultimate aim of an SEO strategy is to increase a business's revenue and profits by attracting more qualified leads and conversions. This is why an experienced SEO agency will always focus on ROI. They will monitor the performance of your business' SEO strategy closely and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that it's delivering the desired results.

By hiring an SEO agency that's ROI-focused, you can be confident that your investment in SEO is being used to its full potential. An SEO strategy that's tailored to your business's unique needs and goals can help you stay competitive in your industry, attract more qualified leads, and ultimately, grow your revenue and profits over time.


The Cons of Hiring an SEO Agency

1. SEO agencies can be more expensive

Hiring an SEO agency can be a significant investment for businesses, and it's essential to consider the cost implications before making a decision. While it's true that working with an SEO agency may be more expensive than hiring a freelancer or doing it in-house, there are several reasons why the cost is justified.

Firstly, SEO agencies typically have a team of experts with diverse skills and specialisations, including SEO specialists, content writers, and web developers. This team-based approach ensures that each aspect of the SEO strategy is handled by a professional with the necessary expertise, which can lead to more effective results.

Secondly, SEO agencies use advanced tools and software that may be expensive or inaccessible to smaller businesses. These tools allow agencies to conduct in-depth research, track progress, and optimise strategies to achieve better results, which can lead to a higher return on investment (ROI) in the long run.

Finally, SEO agencies often have a more comprehensive approach to SEO that goes beyond just keyword research and content creation. They take a holistic view of a business's online presence and work to improve its visibility, user experience, and overall reputation. This approach can lead to more significant gains for businesses in the form of increased traffic, higher conversions, and improved brand awareness.

2. Lack of control

When you hire an SEO agency, you're essentially entrusting your website to their care. This can be a daunting prospect for some businesses, as it means giving up a certain amount of control over their online presence. However, it's important to remember that you're working with a team of experienced professionals who have your best interests at heart.

While it's true that you may not have the same level of control over your website as you would if you were doing SEO in-house, this is not necessarily a bad thing. SEO agencies have the expertise and experience to develop and implement a customised SEO strategy that aligns with your business goals and objectives. By working with an SEO agency, you can be sure that your website is in the hands of professionals who know what they're doing.

It's important to remember that while you may not have complete control over your website, you still have a say in how it's optimised for search engines. A good SEO agency will work closely with you to understand your business and its unique needs, and will develop an SEO strategy that reflects this. They'll also provide regular updates and reports, so you can stay informed about the progress of your SEO campaign and make any necessary adjustments along the way.

3. Risk of black hat SEO techniques

With SEO, there are two types of techniques: white hat and black hat. White hat techniques are ethical and follow search engine guidelines, while black hat techniques are unethical and violate search engine guidelines.

While most SEO agencies use ethical white hat techniques, there is always a risk that some may use black hat techniques to get quick results. Black hat techniques may seem like a good idea in the short term, but they can ultimately harm a website's rankings and reputation in the long term.

It's essential to do your research and choose an SEO agency that has a proven track record of using ethical white hat techniques. Make sure to ask about their SEO process and techniques during the initial consultation and read reviews from previous clients. A reputable agency will be transparent about their techniques and happy to answer any questions you may have.

Ultimately, it's essential to remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, and quick results should not be the primary goal. A good SEO agency will work with you to develop a customised strategy that aligns with your business goals and follows ethical practices. By taking the time to find the right SEO agency, you can ensure that your website is in good hands and will see sustainable long-term growth.

Ultimately, it's essential to remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, and quick results should not be the primary goal.


4. Risk of communication issues

When working with an external party like an SEO agency, it’s understandable to be cautious about the quality of their communication. Having said that, there are things you can do to minimise the risk of poor communication when working with an SEO agency.

Firstly, make sure to choose an agency that is known for their communication skills. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients that specifically mention the agency's communication. If an agency has a track record of good communication, that's a good sign that they will prioritize clear and open communication with you as well.

Secondly, establish clear communication channels from the outset. Make sure that you have a designated point of contact at the agency, and agree on the best way to communicate (e.g. email, phone, video calls, etc.). Having a clear and structured communication plan will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that important information doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Finally, don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that communication is lacking. If you're not getting the information or updates you need, or if you're feeling left in the dark, it's important to raise the issue with your point of contact at the agency. They should be receptive to feedback and willing to work with you to improve communication going forward.

Remember, clear and open communication is essential for any successful working relationship, and this is no different when it comes to working with an SEO agency.

5. Results probably won't be immediate

SEO is a long-term process, and it may take some time before you start seeing results. There are many factors that determine how long that might take, but SEMRush suggests that, with the right strategy in place, you should start seeing results from your SEO efforts within six to twelve months.

This is because SEO involves a range of different tactics, from technical optimisations to content creation and link building. These tactics take time to strategise and implement, and even longer for search engines to identify these improvements and take them into account in their rankings. However, once the strategy starts to pay off, the results can be incredibly rewarding.

This can be frustrating for some businesses, especially those looking for immediate results. So, when hiring an SEO agency, it's important to have realistic expectations and understand that SEO is a process that requires patience and persistence. A reputable agency will work closely with you to develop a customized strategy that aligns with your business goals and objectives and keeps you informed of progress along the way.


Hiring an SEO agency can be a wise investment for businesses looking to improve their online visibility and drive more qualified traffic to their website. With the expertise, experience, and access to advanced SEO tools that SEO agencies provide, businesses can develop a customised strategy that aligns with their goals and objectives.

If you're considering hiring an SEO agency to help your business grow online, we’re keen to chat. Our digital team have over 10 years of experience in delivering results-driven SEO strategies that will help you achieve your business goals. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards improving your visibility in search engines.

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