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:
- Variety of Skills
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Resources
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Personalised Service
- Quality of Work
1. Variety of Skills
Winner: Agency
Digital marketing agencies tend to be built around a multi-disciplinary team, comprising digital marketing specialists, developers, copywriters and client service professionals.
Their varied expertise makes them ideal for delivering complex projects involving several areas of digital marketing.
For organisations in need of a full-service solution, an agency can prove highly effective.
However, for more targeted needs, such as a standalone SEO or PPC campaign, a consultant may be more appropriate.
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
Thanks to their team-based structure, agencies are often ideal for handling more complex or high-volume projects.
They have the capacity to assign various specialists to different areas of your digital marketing simultaneously.
So, if your campaign demands a coordinated team effort, an agency could be the more suitable option.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
Because agencies juggle multiple people and projects, they often depend on pre-set processes to keep everything on track.
This structure can sometimes delay updates or changes to your campaign setup.
Consultants, on the other hand, are nimble. They tailor their approach and can pivot as your priorities shift.
In a dynamic digital space, that kind of adaptability is a real strength.
For example, if you need to shift gears halfway through a campaign, a consultant can typically act straight away, while agencies may need more time to get everyone aligned.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
A strong reason to work with a consultant is the continuity of dealing with one person throughout your digital marketing journey.
You sidestep the common agency pitfall of multiple handovers or changes in personnel.
Communication is typically quicker and more meaningful, as you’re speaking directly to the person doing the job.
This clarity can save time and strengthen your professional relationship.
6. Personal Service
Winner: Consultant
Consultants rely on strong results and client satisfaction to sustain their business, so they’re often more personally invested in your success.
They don’t have directors or departments pulling them in different directions – their energy is focused squarely on helping you achieve your goals.
That level of personal accountability can make a big difference.
Whereas agencies may divide their focus, consultants treat each client as a top priority.
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 Takeaway 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 Takeaway digital marketing consultant…read more