SEO is not a project, it's an ongoing strategy that can never spend much time on the back burner. Because of this, many firms opt to outsource SEO projects and focus on their core business initiatives. This article will provide some insight that will be helpful when making this decision.
Should you outsource SEO?
If you are even asking yourself this question, it is worth thinking about a bit more. Some people like to keep total control over their SEO as they consider it an integral part of their firm and their success. Others, would much rather focus on their core business and leave the SEO tasks to the professionals. And, of course, some people fall somewhere in the middle between these two. One thing to remember is that if you don't have a dedicated digital marketing team, the SEO tasks have likely fallen to someone who already has a robust job description.
Taking SEO off of the plate of an employee who has other responsibilities usually means that their core duties are done better and better results are obtained when it comes to SEO success. If your company does have a dedicated digital marketing team, the calculus for this decision will be a bit different.
Is it time for your company to outsource SEO services?
Like so many other aspects of a start-up company, SEO initiatives can outgrow or outpace internal capabilities. You may know that it's time to outsource this work when you find yourself repeating that it's time to focus on SEO strategies. Once these tasks fall by the wayside, it can be difficult to pick them back up. Alternatively, if you have been following your SEO initiatives without a problem, it may be time to outsource your SEO work if you aren't getting the results you want and need. Digital marketing is often very niche, and approaching it as a layperson can make it all the more challenging. So, this means that it is time to outsource your company's SEO if you find that it's not getting the attention that it deserves, or if you aren't seeing the results you need. Either way, it's time to start considering some alternatives.
Figuring out how to outsource SEO work
If you have made the decision to find an SEO partner, you may be wondering about the next steps. The first thing to do is fully review your current efforts and outcomes. Are there aspects of your initiatives that are going well? Do you have certain parts of SEO that you want to continue doing in-house, perhaps related to certain projects or departments? Give your present strategy and your desired outcomes a serious review, and be ready to discuss both with potential SEO partners. One great way to learn more about how the process works is to talk to friends at other firms who have already taken the plunge. Hearing about their experiences is a great way to figure out what you don't and do want when you outsource SEO. Take some notes and include some of these conclusions with your overall talking points for when you speak with potential vendors.
How to find the SEO provider that will best meet your needs
When it comes to choosing the right SEO outsource provider, there are some questions to ask yourself. Are you operating in a specialized industry? Do you have certain unique needs when it comes to SEO? Are there areas where your efforts have not done well at all? These questions are a great starting point when it comes to determining what type of SEO or digital marketing firm is right for you. Take your answers and use them to pinpoint potential partners. Finding an SEO company that has success with B2B firms that operate in your industry is a lot easier than sifting through all of the SEO firms out there. And, remember when we talked above about local needs? That is another significant aspect that can really affect your search.
Making the decision to outsource SEO services can be a godsend, but it's not the right move for everyone. Before you opt to make this move, be sure that it aligns with your future goals. Additionally, it is very important to find the right digital marketing team or platform to partner with. You will also need to consider the importance of working with a local vendor. How important is local knowledge for your brand? If you work in an international space, the need for a local provider is a lot less than if you are an independent company providing goods or services to a concentrated area or community.
These are just a few aspects to consider when making the decision to outsource SEO or keep it in-house. And, there are times in the life of your business when your needs will change. Remember, it is okay to change course if what you are doing currently no longer works for the long term. SEO is too important a part of success to be cavalier with any decision. Once you have decided to take the plunge and outsource, the next challenge is finding a firm that will make a good partner.
Knowing what you want to get out of your SEO efforts will be very helpful when you are speaking with potential providers. When it comes down to it, finding a company that you find easy to work with may just be the deciding factor. So if you're wondering, "should I outsource SEO?", weigh all of these considerations and you will likely find a great SEO partner!
