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 usually consist of a diverse team that include SEO specialists, content creators, digital strategists and web developers.
This mix of expertise positions agencies well for projects that span several digital marketing disciplines.
For businesses requiring an integrated approach, an agency offers the convenience of a consolidated service.
However, for simpler projects focused on a narrow scope, such as just SEO or PPC, this level of resource may be surplus to requirements.
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 team members on hand, agencies are naturally geared towards supporting larger projects.
They’re able to work on several campaign elements in parallel by leveraging their broader resource base.
If your requirements are extensive, involving several moving parts, an agency could be the right choice.
4. Adaptability
Winner: Consultant
By design, agencies often depend on structured systems and standardised ways of working to coordinate their teams.
Although individual team members might be flexible, updates to your account setup or approach can be slower to roll out.
A consultant, in contrast, can personalise their service and shift direction rapidly when your priorities change.
That responsiveness can be a real asset in the constantly evolving digital space.
For instance, if a new opportunity arises mid-campaign, a consultant can usually respond immediately, while agencies may be delayed by processes and multiple layers of sign-off.
5. Communication
Winner: Consultant
Working with a consultant offers the comfort of a single point of contact – someone who’s with you every step of the way.
This helps avoid the confusion that can come from rotating account managers or high staff turnover in agency settings.
Consultants bring a more direct and personal communication style, as they’re the ones actually delivering the work.
That kind of consistency enhances collaboration and builds stronger rapport over time.
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 options – agencies and consultants – are capable of delivering quality SEO.
Agencies may have the benefit of larger teams, though this can also mean tasks are passed around and handled by less experienced staff.
With consultants, you get a single, dedicated professional managing the entire process with close attention to detail.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both Wellbeing 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 Wellbeing SEO consultant…read more