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
With SEO agencies, it’s common to find a diverse team that includes SEO 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 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 often the better choice for large or complex SEO work because they can tap into wider internal resources.
Tasks can be distributed across the team, so various campaign activities progress at the same time.
If your project calls for that level of team involvement, an agency may be the most suitable solution.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
With multiple teams to coordinate, agencies often lean on standard operating procedures to keep things running smoothly.
While the individuals you deal with may be flexible, the broader team might take time to adjust to changes in direction.
Consultants offer a more fluid experience. They can shape their work around your needs and change tack as required.
That sort of adaptability is invaluable when digital trends shift rapidly.
If, mid-project, you decide to revise your SEO approach, a consultant is generally quicker to implement changes than an agency working through layers of process.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
One standout benefit of hiring a consultant is the continuity they offer – you’ll be working with the same person from start to finish.
This removes the hassle of being passed around different team members or adjusting to new faces, which is often the case with agencies.
Consultants provide a more personal touch, offering direct and efficient communication as they’re the ones carrying out the work.
That level of clarity and consistency helps build trust and makes collaboration far smoother.
6. Personal Service
Winner: Consultant
With SEO consultants, you often get a deeper level of commitment – their business thrives on results and happy clients.
Agencies, by contrast, typically work within larger structures where client focus can be diluted by internal priorities.
Consultants, working independently, are driven to deliver great outcomes.
For them, your success directly reflects on their own – which often leads to a more dedicated partnership.
7. Quality of Work
Winner: Equal
Both agencies and consultants can deliver high-quality SEO services.
Agencies may have access to more specialists, but this can sometimes lead to work being delegated to junior staff members for upskilling.
Consultants, on the other hand, typically handle all aspects of your SEO strategy themselves, ensuring consistency and attention to detail.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both Retail 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 Retail SEO consultant…read more