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
With digital marketing agencies, it’s common to find a diverse team that includes digital marketing 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
Whilst agencies can offer competitive pricing, but their rates are often inflated by office-related expenses, management layers, and admin teams.
Freelance consultants usually sidestep these costs. You’re engaging directly with an expert, minus the extras.
As a result, digital marketing consultants often provide a more affordable alternative.
3. Resources
Winner: Agency
With multiple professionals on hand, agencies are usually better equipped for large-scale digital marketing 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
Because agencies manage large teams, they usually rely on fixed processes and frameworks to maintain consistency.
Even if team members are adaptable, updating your account or making changes often requires navigating internal systems.
Consultants bring a more tailored approach and can adjust course with minimal delay when your business needs evolve.
That level of flexibility is hugely beneficial in a fast-changing digital environment.
So, if you find yourself needing to shift strategy mid-project, a consultant can respond more swiftly than an agency, which may need to work through several internal steps.
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 are deeply invested in their clients’ outcomes, because their reputation and livelihood are directly tied to each project.
Unlike agencies, which may report through layers of management, consultants are accountable to no one but you.
That tends to result in better service and genuine dedication.
While agencies might see you as one client among many, a consultant views your success as central to their own.
7. Quality of Work
Winner: Equal
Both agencies and consultants can deliver high-quality digital marketing 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 digital marketing strategy themselves, ensuring consistency and attention to detail.
Final Score
- Agency: 3
- Consultant: 5
Conclusion
Both Woocommerce 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 Woocommerce digital marketing consultant…read more