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, by nature, typically have a broad team of experts including SEO specialists, developers, account strategists, copywriters and more.
This diversity allows agencies to handle projects requiring multiple skill sets across teams.
For businesses needing a wide range of services, an agency can provide a one-stop solution.
However, this breadth of skills may not always be necessary for projects requiring only 1-2 skill sets (e.g. SEO/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
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, 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
One of the most significant benefits of working with a consultant is having a single, consistent point of contact.
This eliminates the frustration of being passed between account managers or dealing with staff turnover, which can be common in agencies.
With a consultant, communication is often more straightforward, efficient, and personal as you will be talking to the person actually doing the work, not an account manager or new member of the team.
Clear communication not only saves time but also helps to build a stronger working relationship.
6. Personal Service
Winner: Consultant
SEO consultants are personally invested in your success because their livelihood depends directly on their results and client satisfaction.
Unlike agencies, which often report to directors or larger management teams, consultants focus solely on your needs.
This personal attention often translates into better service and more dedication.
For example, while an SEO agency may treat you as one of many clients, a consultant sees your success as a reflection of their own.
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 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 SEO consultant…read more