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 usually consist of a diverse team that include SEO specialists, content creators, digital strategists and web developers.
This mix of expertise positions agencies well for projects that span several digital marketing disciplines.
For businesses requiring an integrated approach, an agency offers the convenience of a consolidated service.
However, for simpler projects focused on a narrow scope, such as just SEO or PPC, this level of resource may be surplus to requirements.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Winner: Consultant
While agencies can provide competitive packages, but these come with hidden costs like office leases, management structures, and admin teams.
A consultant, however, runs a much leaner operation. Your fee goes straight to the expert doing the work.
So, if you’re looking for cost-efficiency, SEO consultants tend to come out on top.
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
Agencies, with their multi-person teams, tend to run on streamlined processes to manage workflow across accounts.
This can mean that adapting your account setup or strategy involves multiple steps and takes longer than expected.
Consultants are more agile. They’re able to adapt their work directly to your evolving needs without the red tape.
In a fast-moving digital world, this kind of responsiveness can make a real difference.
If plans change, a consultant can often pivot within hours – something agencies may struggle with due to approval chains and team structures.
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
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 IFA 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 an IFA SEO consultant…read more