When considering digital marketing services for your business, one decision you will have to make on the way is choosing between a digital marketing 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 grow your website’s traffic and revenue, their approach, structure, and relationship with clients differ significantly.

  • Digital marketing agencies typically consist of multiple people skilled in different aspects of digital marketing, account managers, developers, admin staff and directors.
  • Digital marketing consultants on the other hand are just the person skilled in digital marketing, 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:

  1. Variety of Skills
  2. Cost-Effectiveness
  3. Resources
  4. Adaptability
  5. Communication
  6. Personalised Service
  7. Quality of Work

1. Variety of Skills

Winner: Agency

With digital marketing agencies, it’s common to find a diverse team that includes digital marketing experts, developers, account leads and content specialists.

This enables them to approach projects from various angles and handle a range of digital marketing needs.

For businesses after a comprehensive solution, agencies can offer significant advantages.

But if the project is limited in scope, such as involving just SEO or PPC, such a wide team may not be required.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Winner: Consultant

While 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, digital marketing consultants are normally the more cost-effective option.

3. Resources

Winner: Agency

Agencies typically have the manpower to take on bigger projects.

They’re able to assign different team members to specific campaign tasks at the same time.

For companies that need a broader resource base, an agency may be the preferred option.

4. Adaptability

Winner: Consultant

Because agencies manage large teams, they usually rely on fixed processes and frameworks to maintain consistency.

Even if team members are adaptable, updating your account or making changes often requires navigating internal systems.

Consultants bring a more tailored approach and can adjust course with minimal delay when your business needs evolve.

That level of flexibility is hugely beneficial in a fast-changing digital environment.

So, if you find yourself needing to shift strategy mid-project, a consultant can respond more swiftly than an agency, which may need to work through several internal steps.

5. Communication

Winner: Consultant

One of the clear benefits of choosing a consultant is consistency – you’ll deal with the same person throughout your project.

Unlike agencies, where staff changes and account handovers are more common, consultants provide stability.

You’re in touch with the individual doing the actual work, not a middleman.

That makes communication simpler and helps to build a more genuine working relationship.

6. Personal Service

Winner: Consultant

Because their income and reputation are closely tied to performance, digital marketing consultants are usually highly invested in getting results for their clients.

Agencies tend to work within larger teams, which can sometimes dilute individual focus.

Consultants, on the other hand, are laser-focused on you and your success.

They often see your achievements as a direct extension of their own work.

7. Quality of Work

Winner: Equal

You can receive excellent digital marketing services from both consultants and agencies.

Agencies might offer access to various experts, though this often means parts of the work are given to less experienced team members for development.

Consultants tend to handle everything themselves, offering a more consistent and detail-focused approach.

Final Score

  • Agency: 3
  • Consultant: 5

Conclusion

Both Logistics digital marketing 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 Logistics digital marketing consultant…read more