Should you outsource SEO Services?

Google is the world’s most visited website. It’s also where most of your clients find your business. That’s why search engine optimisation (SEO) isn’t optional. It’s a strategic imperative.

The question begs: What’s the best way to resource high-quality SEO services? Do you hire internally? Bring in an agency? Try a mix of both?

There’s no definitive, one-size-fits-all answer. The right move for your business depends on your budget and goals. Let’s break down what you need to consider when weighing whether to outsource SEO or do it all in-house.

The Pros and Cons of In-House SEO

Hiring someone internally means you get a dedicated team member who knows your business inside and out. They have their finger firmly on the pulse of what’s going on and can align their SEO efforts to your priorities, even as they change day-to-day.

This can be hugely valuable, especially if you’re running campaigns that need tight coordination across departments.

That being said, there is a trade-off:

• You’re hiring a generalist. The person you hire is unlikely to be an expert in all facets of SEO: technical SEO, content strategy, link building, site audits, and analytics.
• You’ll pay for more than their salary. Add to that tools, training, onboarding, and overhead.
• You’re limited in scale. One person can only do so much. If your business grows or your site needs a migration, you may still need to bring in outside support.

The Pros and Cons of Outsourced SEO

Agencies bring something in-house teams usually can’t: depth.

With an agency, you get access to:

• Technical SEO specialists
• Content strategists
• Copywriters
• Analysts
• Link builders
• Enterprise-level tools

People who work at an agency live and breathe SEO. It’s what they do full-time, and they have experience across industries and stay on top of every algorithm update.

What’s more, their reputation depends on results. If they don’t deliver the outcomes your business needs to reach the next level, you can simply call it quits and move on. It’s in the agency’s best interest to avoid these kinds of scenarios so your wins become their wins.

Other benefits include:

• Less trial and error. Agencies have already tested what works.
• Scalability built in. Whether you need a full content rollout or just a quick audit, they can ramp up (or down) as needed.
• Fewer overheads. You don’t need to license tools or train staff. Your monthly fee covers it all.

Still, outsourcing isn’t a silver bullet. It works best when:

• You’re open to collaboration and trust the process.
• You’re willing to commit budget for at least 6-12 months.
• You’ve vetted the agency thoroughly.

The biggest risk? Choosing the wrong partner. Poor quality SEO can mean spammy links, recycled content, and black-hat tactics that hurt your site long-term. Look for a team with a transparent process and a track record of results.

A Hybrid Model for When You Want the Best of Both

Some companies take the middle ground. They hold onto strategic planning and internal reporting in-house and outsource the heavy lifting to an agency.

This works well if you already have a marketing team but lack SEO depth. It might also be the best path forward if you need flexible support across multiple SEO disciplines.

Prioritise ROI, Not How You Get There

It’s easy to focus on roles, tools, tactics, and budgets. But SEO resourcing should start with a straightforward question: what will bring the highest return on your investment?

If your team is stretched thin and results are slow, an experienced agency may get you further, faster. If you’ve got budget to build a strong internal capability and the time to let it mature, hiring in-house might pay off.

But if you need clarity on what will achieve the online visibility you need, talk to someone who can assess your current situation.

That’s where we come in. Chat to a strategist at Design Point. We’ve delivered over 300 websites and SEO campaigns across Melbourne and beyond, always with one goal in mind: delivering real results.