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 are often composed of a multi-talented team, bringing together SEO technicians, coders, strategic planners and writers.
Their collective know-how is particularly useful for complex digital initiatives.
For firms looking to cover multiple bases with one partner, agencies are an attractive choice.
That said, for more focused projects centred solely on SEO or PPC, the full scope of agency resources may be unnecessary.
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
With multiple professionals on hand, agencies are usually better equipped for large-scale SEO efforts.
They can divide tasks among team members, allowing different elements of your campaign to progress in parallel.
For businesses needing a broader team effort, working with an agency might be more practical.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
Agencies, by nature of having multiple teams of people, often rely on standardised systems and processes.
This means that while individuals within teams can be highly adaptable, the setup of your account and other staff on your account may take time to update and adapt.
Consultants, on the other hand, can tailor their approach to your unique needs and pivot quickly if your business priorities change.
This flexibility can be a major advantage in a fast-moving digital landscape.
For example, if you need to adjust your SEO strategy mid-project, a consultant can implement changes at short notice, whereas an agency may take longer due to internal processes, approvals and the number of people involved.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
A major perk of working with a consultant is having a single, reliable contact handling your SEO from day one.
It spares you the common agency challenge of shifting account managers or disruptions caused by team turnover.
With a consultant, you’re talking directly to the expert – not going through layers of staff.
This kind of open, direct communication leads to quicker decisions and a stronger working dynamic.
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
Agencies and consultants alike can deliver impressive SEO outcomes.
Agencies may provide access to specialist teams, although that structure can involve delegating work to junior staff members for development.
With consultants, the same person typically oversees all aspects of your SEO, offering a hands-on and consistent approach.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both On-Page 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 On-Page SEO consultant…read more