When considering SEO services for your business, one decision you will have to make on the way is choosing between an SEO agency and consultant (in fact, you most likely clicked on this article to help with that exact decision!).
While both agencies and consultants aim to improve your website’s search engine rankings, their approach, structure, and relationship with clients differ significantly.
- SEO agencies typically consist of multiple people skilled in SEO, account managers, developers, admin staff and directors.
- SEO consultants on the other hand are just the person skilled in SEO, covering admin duties themselves.
To help you decide between the two, I’ll compare both against seven key factors that are important to businesses deciding between choosing an agency or a consultant:
- Variety of Skills
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Resources
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Personalised Service
- Quality of Work
1. Variety of Skills
Winner: Agency
SEO agencies typically bring a varied skill set to the table, with teams made up of specialists in SEO, web development, content and strategic planning.
This makes them well-equipped to execute campaigns requiring collaboration across different disciplines.
For clients seeking an all-round digital partner, an agency setup can be ideal.
However, not every project warrants such a wide-ranging team, particularly if the focus is only on SEO or PPC.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Winner: Consultant
Whilst agencies can pitch competitive prices, those numbers often include the expense of physical offices, administrative staff, and middle management.
Consultants tend to operate independently. That means your money goes directly towards their expertise, not business overheads.
For many, this makes SEO consultants the more cost-effective solution.
3. Resources
Winner: Agency
Agencies are typically well-equipped to handle large-scale projects due to having access to multiple people.
They can allocate teams to work on different aspects of your SEO campaigns simultaneously.
If your business requires significant resources from multiple people at once, an agency might be the better choice.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
Due to their scale, agencies often stick to fixed processes that help them manage teams and client work consistently.
This can sometimes create delays if updates to your account or direction are needed.
Consultants are able to adapt in real-time, offering a service that’s closely aligned with your unique requirements.
In the digital world, where priorities can change quickly, this can be a significant advantage.
So, should your strategy need a quick turnaround, a consultant can often act immediately, unlike agencies that may need to consult management first.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
A key advantage of working with a consultant is having one consistent point of contact throughout the project.
This means you avoid the common agency experience of being handed from one account manager to another or dealing with staff changes mid-way through.
With a consultant, communication tends to be clearer and more direct, as you’re speaking to the person actually doing the work.
This kind of connection not only saves time but also helps foster a stronger, more collaborative relationship.
6. Personal Service
Winner: Consultant
SEO consultants typically go the extra mile because your success impacts their livelihood directly.
They aren’t distracted by internal politics or reporting structures – their sole focus is meeting your needs.
This often results in a stronger commitment and higher quality service.
Unlike agencies, where you might be one of dozens, a consultant is personally invested in seeing you succeed.
7. Quality of Work
Winner: Equal
High-quality SEO can come from either an agency or a consultant.
Agencies might offer a wider skillset across teams, but this can sometimes result in work being passed to junior members for training.
Consultants typically do the work themselves, ensuring everything is handled with care and consistency.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both B2B SEO agencies and consultants have their strengths.
While agencies bring extensive resources and a variety of skills, consultants may offer a more cost-effective, adaptable, and personalised approach.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of working with a B2B SEO consultant…read more