Tired of pouring money into SEO and seeing little return? Outsourcing could be your solution. It offers expert results at a lower cost than an in-house team.
Think about this: an in-house SEO specialist could cost you $75,000 annually, while outsourcing can slash that to just $5,000, saving you 60%. Plus, you avoid the time and expense of hiring, training, and managing staff.
This guide will walk you through outsourcing SEO the smart way, so you get outstanding results without breaking the bank.
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What is SEO outsourcing?
Search engine optimization (SEO) outsourcing involves hiring outside specialists to manage some or your entire SEO strategy. Instead of relying on an internal team, you can bring in experts to handle technical work like keyword research, tracking algorithm changes, or improving search rankings.
This approach lets you focus on your core activities and helps save costs associated with recruiting and training in-house staff. Plus, outsourcing offers scalability; you can easily adjust the level of SEO support based on your business needs, whether you choose to fully outsource SEO or just get help with specific SEO initiatives.
Ways to outsource SEO
When outsourcing SEO services, you have two main choices: hiring a freelancer or an SEO agency. The best SEO outsourcing model depends on your business size, budget, and specific SEO needs. Each option has pros and cons regarding cost, expertise, flexibility, and reliability.
Freelancers
Freelancers are usually more affordable, making them a good choice for smaller projects or tight budgets. They’re flexible and can quickly adapt to your changing needs. However, freelancers often have limited resources and may lack the depth of expertise agencies offer. Here are the pros and cons of hiring freelancers for SEO.
Pros and Cons of Freelancers
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget-friendly for small businesses or short-term projects. | Limited access to tools, data, or support staff that agencies provide. |
| Flexible and adaptable to project changes, often accommodating special requests. | May lack a comprehensive skill set for complex SEO projects. |
| Personal and direct communication allows for faster feedback. | Availability can be inconsistent, especially when juggling multiple clients. |
| Flexible payment options, ideal for small businesses or specific, short-term projects. |
SEO agencies
Agencies provide specialists in technical SEO, content, and link building, making them ideal for complex or large projects. They offer reliable, consistent service but are often more expensive and less flexible than freelancers. Below are the pros and cons of outsourcing SEO services to agencies.
Pros and Cons of SEO Agencies
| Pros | Cons |
| Offer SEO specialists covering all aspects, from technical audits to link strategies. | Typically charge more than freelancers, which may be a barrier for smaller businesses. |
| Deliver consistent results and meet deadlines reliably. | Structured processes make it harder to adapt quickly to changes or specific requests. |
| Access to advanced SEO tools and software to improve SEO campaigns. | Multiple contacts may slow down the communication. |
A balanced option
Arc offers top-tier SEO expertise without agency costs. We connect you with vetted SEO professionals who combine agency-level skills with freelance affordability and flexibility. Arc’s rigorous vetting ensures you work with only the best while our global network keeps it cost-effective.
Arc’s unique offerings
- Connect with top candidates pre-vetted for skill and language.
- Instantly view top matches with Arc’s HireAI, skipping the long review process.
- Access talent in 190+ countries and save up to 80% vs. traditional hiring.
- Hire confidently with expert support from our recruiters at every step.
How to effectively outsource SEO
Bringing in specialized help requires a structured plan to ensure you achieve your SEO goals effectively. Clear objectives, regular communication, and defined processes will keep your partnership on track. Follow these steps to get the best results from your SEO service provider and drive meaningful growth for your business.
1. Define clear SEO goals and KPIs
Start by setting specific, measurable SEO objectives that align with your business’s growth goals, such as increasing organic traffic or achieving a higher position in search engine results pages (SERPs). Define KPIs that allow you to track progress over time, making it easy to assess the impact of your SEO efforts.
Ensure your goals include a focus on search intent to align your strategy with user needs and expectations. Short-term goals will keep you on track, while long-term goals will help you and your SEO consultant prioritize for maximum ROI.
2. Research and select an SEO partner
Choosing the right SEO provider is crucial for an effective SEO strategy. To gauge their expertise, start by requesting a comprehensive SEO audit. Ensure they have a transparent approach to communication and reporting so you stay informed at every step.
Check references or past client testimonials to confirm their reliability. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed results, as SEO outcomes can vary greatly depending on multiple factors.
3. Define the scope of work
Clarify which SEO services you need, such as keyword research, on-page SEO, link building, or technical SEO audits. Define the timeline and key milestones to set clear expectations for project progress and deadlines.
Set a budget upfront, including provisions for potential extra work, and make sure both parties agree on payment terms. Finally, establish a reporting schedule to keep you updated on key metrics, allowing you to track and understand performance effectively.
4. Provide necessary access
For your SEO partner to be effective, grant access to essential tools like Google Analytics and Search Console. This access enables them to accurately measure performance and adjust strategies as needed.
Sharing historical data, such as past keyword performance and traffic trends, can also help inform their strategy. To protect your data, use secure methods when sharing access and permissions.
5. Monitor performance
Monitor critical metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversions to assess the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. Establish a reporting schedule with regular check-ins so you and your partner can review progress, discuss insights, and make necessary adjustments.
Collaborate with your partner to monitor algorithm updates and industry trends. This ensures you launch effective SEO strategies and keep your approach competitive.
6. Fine-tune and adjust
SEO is an ongoing process, so be prepared to fine-tune your approach based on performance data. Focus on strategies that consistently deliver results and pivot away from those that don’t.
Encourage experimentation by testing new target keywords, content ideas, or outreach tactics to discover fresh opportunities. Periodically assess whether your SEO partner is meeting your goals and adapting to your evolving needs.
7. Plan for a smooth knowledge transfer (if needed)
Planning a smooth handover is essential if you decide to bring SEO in-house or switch to a new provider. Request that your SEO specialist document their strategy, key insights, and any ongoing tactics to maintain continuity.
A clear handover plan minimizes disruptions, ensuring your SEO performance remains strong even as new personnel take over.
Benefits of outsourcing SEO
Outsourcing SEO can help you achieve better results with less strain on your resources. Partnering with SEO professionals gives you access to skills and strategies that are challenging to maintain in-house, especially on a limited budget.
Unsurprisingly, the global outsourcing service market continues to grow at a projected CAGR of 5.5%. Here’s how outsourcing SEO services can make a meaningful difference for your business.
You get expertise
Outsourcing gives you access to specialized skills and up-to-date knowledge. SEO agencies and freelancers stay current with changes in search engine algorithms, new tools and SEO trends, and industry best practices so they’re equipped to implement strategies that align with the latest trends.
By partnering with these experts, you benefit from tailored SEO strategies to meet your business’s unique challenges and goals. This targeted approach helps you achieve results faster and more effectively, maximizing the impact of your SEO efforts.
It’s cost-effective
For most businesses, outsourcing SEO is more affordable than building an in-house team. Instead of covering the expenses of recruiting, training, and managing full-time employees, you only pay for the expertise you need.
Outsourcing eliminates the overhead costs associated with an internal team, making it especially cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses that want high-quality SEO support without the full-time commitment.
It’s scalable to fit your needs
With outsourcing, you can easily scale your SEO efforts up or down based on your business goals and budget. During peak seasons, you can adopt a more aggressive strategy, while in quieter periods, a scaled-back approach can help manage costs.
This flexibility allows you to adjust your SEO efforts as your business evolves, adapting quickly to changing demands without the limitations of a fixed in-house team.
You can focus on your core business
Outsourcing SEO allows you and your team to concentrate on your best work, while SEO experts handle the complexities of search engine optimization. Instead of diverting time and resources to SEO tasks, you can rely on professionals with a deep understanding of the field.
This arrangement frees up your team to focus on core competencies and strategic initiatives that directly drive growth, allowing your business to operate at its best.
Challenges of outsourcing SEO
While outsourcing SEO gives you expertise and flexibility, it also brings its own set of challenges. You may face misalignment, inconsistent quality, or even legal issues without careful planning and oversight. Here’s how to navigate these challenges to build a successful SEO partnership.
Understand the business goals and niche
Outsourcing SEO can fail if the provider doesn’t understand your goals and industry, leading to generic or misdirected, weakening strategies.
To avoid this, prioritize customized strategies that align with your business’s objectives and market. Clearly communicate your niche, target audience, and goals, ensuring your SEO partner fully understands them. This alignment creates a strong foundation for impactful results.
Ensure quality and consistency
SEO providers vary in quality, and inconsistent work can hurt your search engine rankings and brand reputation. Misaligned standards lead to a disjointed strategy, making maintaining a cohesive brand voice harder.
Set clear quality expectations upfront. Provide detailed guidelines and review deliverables regularly to ensure they meet your standards. A consistent quality benchmark helps create a unified SEO strategy, protecting your brand and ranking goals.
Watch out for black hat practices
Some SEO providers may use black hat techniques, like keyword stuffing or unethical link building, to deliver quick results. While these tricks might work short-term, they risk penalties that can damage your site’s credibility in the long run.
Choose a partner who follows “white hat” practices that align with search engine rules. Ask for clear details about their methods and stress the importance of ethical strategies. Taking this proactive step protects your online reputation and builds lasting success.
Communication and coordination
Outsourcing SEO can be tricky when time zone differences, language barriers, or a lack of clear communication disrupt project timelines and workflows. Establish reliable communication tools and a regular check-in schedule to avoid these issues.
Frequent meetings help address concerns, align on goals, and ensure both sides stay coordinated. Consistent communication fosters a collaborative workflow and keeps everyone on track.
Integration with internal teams
For outsourced SEO to be successful, it needs to align with your internal strategies, but this can be challenging if the provider isn’t familiar with your company’s processes and objectives. Bridging this gap requires open knowledge sharing between your internal team and the SEO partner.
Encourage the SEO team to adapt their strategies to fit your workflows and involve them in relevant meetings to ensure smooth integration with your digital marketing strategy.
Legal considerations and contracting
A major challenge in outsourcing SEO is ensuring legal protection and clear responsibilities. Without a detailed contract, misunderstandings about scope, payment terms, or ownership can lead to disputes.
To avoid issues, draft a contract outlining the scope of work, payment terms, and performance expectations. Include clauses on intellectual property, confidentiality, and NDAs to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with relevant laws.
Risk mitigation strategies
Outsourced SEO can pose risks like poor performance or penalties that harm your search rankings or reputation. Protect your business by including liability clauses in the contract to define responsibilities in such cases.
Specify termination policies, conditions, notice periods, costs, and dispute resolution mechanisms like arbitration or mediation. These steps provide clarity and safeguard your business if issues arise.
Measuring ROI and performance metrics
Measuring the ROI of outsourced SEO can be challenging, especially given SEO’s long-term nature. Tracking results is complex because it’s difficult to directly attribute specific business outcomes to individual SEO efforts, as multiple factors contribute to overall results.
Set clear KPIs like organic traffic, search engine rankings, and conversion rates. Use scheduled reports and regular performance reviews to stay updated and make adjustments. Frequent analysis tracks SEO success and highlights the long-term value of your SEO efforts.
Best practices for managing outsourced SEO
Navigating the SEO outsourcing process effectively requires a strategic approach to selecting the right partner and setting clear expectations. It’s easy to overlook details that could affect your results without careful planning. Use these best practices to ensure a successful SEO partnership.
Define project expectations and choose SEO partner carefully
Defining clear project expectations and selecting the right SEO partner is essential for a successful outsourcing experience. This alignment minimizes misunderstandings, ensures quality, and keeps your SEO efforts focused on your goals.
Begin with a customized proposal outlining tactics, goals, and timelines. Avoid low-cost options that may lead to poor quality; focus on long-term value. Check references, interview to assess fit, and choose an experienced provider who understands SEO’s long-term nature.
Use effective tools for tracking and collaboration
When outsourcing SEO, effective tracking and collaboration tools are essential for aligning projects with your goals. They provide transparency and keep everyone on the same page.
Use a Kanban board in Trello or Notion with stages like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed,” integrated with Slack for quick updates. Schedule regular check-ins to review progress and ensure alignment on key objectives like brand positioning and customer relationships.
Establish clear goals and track SEO performance
Clear goals and regular tracking are key to maximizing outsourced SEO services. Use the right tools to focus on meaningful metrics aligning with your business objectives.
Set measurable goals with your SEO partner and track organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversions. Tools like Ahrefs Site Explorer and Rank Tracker can help, but prioritize conversions over vanity metrics to ensure SEO drives real business results.
Outsource SEO the right way
Outsourcing SEO offers expertise, flexibility, and long-term growth. To make it work, define clear goals, choose a reliable SEO specialist, and maintain strong communication. Use tools to track meaningful metrics, ensuring your SEO efforts align with business objectives.
Arc provides a curated marketplace of vetted SEO professionals, offering a cost-effective solution tailored to your needs. Work with experts committed to delivering results without the expense of hiring in-house. Take the first step toward better SEO with Arc.
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