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 offer competitive prices, they often have the overheads of office spaces, managers, and administrative staff to factor in.
Consultants typically don’t have these. You’re paying directly for their expertise, not for the layers of management and facilities often found in agencies.
When it comes to cost, SEO consultants are normally the more cost-effective option.
3. Resources
Winner: Agency
Thanks to their team-based structure, agencies are often ideal for handling more complex or high-volume projects.
They have the capacity to assign various specialists to different areas of your SEO simultaneously.
So, if your campaign demands a coordinated team effort, an agency could be the more suitable option.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
Because agencies juggle multiple people and projects, they often depend on pre-set processes to keep everything on track.
This structure can sometimes delay updates or changes to your campaign setup.
Consultants, on the other hand, are nimble. They tailor their approach and can pivot as your priorities shift.
In a dynamic digital space, that kind of adaptability is a real strength.
For example, if you need to shift gears halfway through a campaign, a consultant can typically act straight away, while agencies may need more time to get everyone aligned.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
Working with a consultant offers the comfort of a single point of contact – someone who’s with you every step of the way.
This helps avoid the confusion that can come from rotating account managers or high staff turnover in agency settings.
Consultants bring a more direct and personal communication style, as they’re the ones actually delivering the work.
That kind of consistency enhances collaboration and builds stronger rapport over time.
6. Personal Service
Winner: Consultant
Consultants are often more personally invested in your success, simply because their livelihood depends on it.
They’re not answering to a board or working across dozens of accounts – their attention is fully on your needs.
This often leads to a more attentive and dedicated service.
Where agencies may juggle dozens of clients, a consultant treats your success as their own win.
7. Quality of Work
Winner: Equal
Both consultants and agencies can provide effective SEO support.
While agencies may bring multiple specialists to the table, it’s common for work to be passed to junior team members to build their experience.
Consultants generally carry out all elements of the strategy themselves, which helps maintain consistency and a high standard of execution.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both Barber 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 Barber SEO consultant…read more