Internal SEO jobs or contract agencies in

This is a difficult scenario I have faced myself, and not an easy one to provide advice on, as every scenario is different and as a result may warrant a different approach. The difficulty is having enough knowledge to either assess what an outside SEO agency is offering, versus having enough knowledge to recruit a skilled worker in an area where you are perhaps not skilled yourself.

Here are some of the pros and cons of each

SEO agencies - Pros

In terms of outright costs, it’s cheaper than creating internal SEO jobs, packages normally start as low as £200/month, BUT pound for pound you’ll get much less input for your money.

It’s contract, so if they’re no good, you can go elsewhere, which will motivate effort and results in the first place.

In the case of the big agencies, you are buying top experience with big resources ( but it’ll cost you)

SEO agencies - cons

Unless you are an SEO boffin yourself, it’s impossible to work out who the good ones are. SEO is, at best, a medium terms pursuit, so it’ll be a while before you can assess results.

With some techniques (eg ‘rented’ links) once they’ve got you, it’s difficult to leave, as once you stop, they remove the links and your position is lost. On the same note they can persuade you need to spend more and more.

Relative costs are very high, £300 per month may only be buying you a few hours work, albeit high quality input.

SEO jobs - pros

Pound for pound it’s far greater value for money

You’ll have a infinitely more hours going into your SEO

Your more likely to have someone motivated to generate results for you, rather than someone just trying to empty your bank account.

SEO jobs - cons

If your not SEO savvy and you get it wrong, it could be months and a lot of money gone before you realise the results are happening.

In outright terms it costs a lot more.

You may not have enough SEO work on to justify full time SEO jobs

The easy answer to many of the above problems is to get SEO savvy if you’re not already. Other than that, you need to assess how much impact SEO success could bring and therefore what that might be worth. If your sector is generally behind in SEO terms, and therefore not SEO competitive, I would recommend contracting in an SEO agency, as it may be that a short term push will get you up there and then you will stay. If, however, you are in a fiercely competitive SEO sector, and it’s crucial to your success, it’s time to mug up on the subject and create your own internal SEO jobs, your future may depend on it.

Good luck.