What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Outsourcing SEO? Tips for Costs and Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner

“What tasks will a professional SEO outsourcing company handle?”
“I don’t know the cost range for outsourcing…”
“I want to choose an outsourcing partner that will definitely deliver results!”

Do you have these concerns?

“SEO” is the effort to rank a website higher in search results on platforms like Google.

In today’s world, where search engines are commonly used for gathering information, SEO is a highly effective method for growing a business.

Many companies that understand the importance of SEO rely on external professionals for their SEO efforts, even if they don’t have the in-house expertise.

In this article, we’ve summarized essential knowledge for those considering outsourcing their SEO efforts.

If you’re unsure about “What does outsourcing SEO look like?” or “How should I choose an SEO company?”, this article is for you.

What tasks will an SEO company handle?

An SEO company consists of “SEO experts” who are well-versed in Google’s algorithms.

They analyze the client’s website and their competitors’ websites, then propose and implement strategies to achieve higher rankings for targeted keywords.

To achieve high rankings, it is essential for Google to recognize your website as a valuable and useful resource for users.

An SEO company helps with the necessary site optimization, strategy development, and content creation to make this happen.

A good SEO company doesn’t just focus on rankings; they also maximize your business profits by improving metrics like traffic, inquiries, and sales from a marketing perspective.

The advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing SEO

What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing SEO to a professional?

Here are four main advantages and two disadvantages to consider.

Advantage 1: You can implement strategies aligned with the latest algorithms

SEO is essentially about “Google optimization.”

However, Google’s search algorithms are updated regularly.

During the “core updates” that occur several times a year, search rankings can fluctuate significantly.

SEO companies constantly track Google’s updates and analyze which factors Google currently prioritizes.

This allows them to adapt strategies to stay aligned with the evolving algorithms.

Advantage 2: You can expect quicker and more reliable results

One of the main benefits of outsourcing SEO is the ability to achieve faster and more reliable results.

SEO companies have vast experience working with clients from various industries, so they possess extensive know-how.

By implementing strategies based on past experiences, they can deliver results much more quickly and reliably than trying to start SEO from scratch in-house.

In-house SEO efforts often take longer, especially if you don’t have a dedicated team member working on it.

For those looking to eventually bring SEO in-house, consulting with an expert first can help you understand the overall approach and identify effective strategies that will be useful when you internalize SEO efforts later.

Advantage 3: You can get an external perspective for evaluating and improving your website

Getting an external perspective to evaluate and improve your website is another significant advantage of outsourcing SEO.

When you’re too close to your business, it’s difficult to evaluate your website objectively or improve it from a user perspective.

Outsourcing to an SEO company provides you with unbiased feedback and recommendations on issues you might overlook.

SEO companies also work with various clients, so they can help identify your website’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to competitors.

Advantage 4: You can focus more on your core business

Outsourcing SEO allows you to reduce the time and resources spent on SEO efforts.

As a result, you can focus more on your core business activities.

Outsourcing is a great solution if you’re struggling with a lack of resources to handle SEO in-house.

Disadvantage 1: It can be expensive

Outsourcing SEO comes with costs, of course.

SEO is a medium- to long-term effort, so you’ll need to commit to at least six months and secure a budget for the process.

Be cautious, however, as opting for cheaper plans or companies may not lead to significant results.

Lower-cost SEO often means the company can only perform less effective tactics that require minimal effort.

You’ll need to weigh your budget against the impact you expect from SEO before making a decision.

A survey found that business owners who spend over $500 per month on SEO are about 54% more likely to report being “very satisfied” compared to those who spend less.
Source: Backlinko – The SEO Services Report

Disadvantage 2: There is a risk of rankings and reputation declining if you hire an unethical company

There are some unethical SEO companies out there.

They may attempt to achieve rankings through tactics that violate Google’s guidelines.

While these tactics might work temporarily, there’s a risk of penalties from Google down the road.

In the worst-case scenario, your website could be removed from search results, or your company’s reputation could be harmed. Therefore, choosing the right outsourcing partner is critical.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Companies that follow Google’s guidelines and focus on ethical, foundational SEO won’t cause these problems.

The next section will cover tips on choosing a good outsourcing partner.

When It’s Better to Outsource SEO to a Company

Some of you may be wondering whether to handle SEO in-house or outsource it.

Of course, it is possible to handle SEO by yourself.

However, if any of the following apply to you, outsourcing may be a good option to consider.

In the next section, we will introduce the typical costs and pricing structures for outsourcing SEO.

Cost Range and Pricing Structure for Outsourcing SEO

The typical cost range for outsourcing SEO is between $1,500 and $10,000.

The cost varies because the required actions depend on the size and challenges of the website.

Also, the range of services and pricing may differ between SEO companies, so please use this as a guideline.

The pricing structure can generally be broken down into three types:

• Monthly Fixed Fee
• One-time Payment
• Performance-based Fee

Pricing Structure 1: Monthly Fixed Fee

The monthly fixed fee model involves paying a fixed amount every month.

Within the paid fee, the company will carry out specific SEO actions or provide consulting services.

It usually takes around 4 months to a year for SEO to show results, so the “contract period” is often at least 6 months or more.

The key feature of this model is that it offers continuous and thorough support compared to other pricing models.

The monthly fixed cost will vary depending on the specific services requested.

Pricing Structure 2: One-time Payment

The one-time payment model involves paying a single fee for specific tasks.

For example:

• SEO internal measures for a website renewal
• One-time consulting sessions
• Creation of a specified number of articles

You pay for specific tasks like the ones listed above.

Generally, in both monthly fixed fee and one-time payment models, the fee is charged regardless of whether or not the site ranks higher.

Pricing Structure 3: Performance-based Fee

The performance-based fee model involves paying only when specific rankings are achieved.

Conditions or deadlines, such as “top 5 ranking” or “first page of search results,” are set in advance, and fees are paid when the goals are reached.

However, with performance-based models, it can be unclear what actions the SEO company takes to improve rankings.

Some unscrupulous companies may manipulate rankings by ignoring Google’s guidelines, so caution is especially necessary with performance-based models.

Types of SEO Services

So, what exactly will SEO companies do for you?

The specific services offered will vary by company, but they can generally be divided into the following four categories:

1. SEO Consulting
2. On-page SEO
3. Off-page SEO
4. Content Creation

Each of these will be explained below.

1. SEO Consulting

SEO consulting provides comprehensive support to help you succeed with SEO.

We tailor strategies and suggestions to achieve your goals (such as improving search rankings, increasing organic traffic, boosting conversions, and expanding brand awareness).

For example, the following tasks are included in SEO consulting:

Typically, a dedicated consultant will provide monthly reports and suggestions for improvements.

The actual implementation of strategies, such as “internal measures,” “external measures,” and “content creation,” is typically handled separately, as explained later.

If you’re unsure about the challenges with your own SEO, we recommend utilizing SEO consulting to get specific advice on how to enhance your performance.

2. On-page SEO / Technical SEO

Internal measures, as the name suggests, focus on improving elements within your website.

This involves creating a website that is both user-friendly for Google and search users.

Internal measures form the foundation for earning appropriate recognition from Google.

The measures can vary widely, but some examples include:

When you hire an SEO company, they can help implement these measures, focusing on the areas with the most significant challenges.

3. Off-page SEO

External measures primarily focus on increasing the number of “links” from external websites.

Google treats external links as a “popularity vote,” so websites with many links from other sites tend to receive a higher rating from Google.

However, it’s not just about increasing the number of links; quality matters as well.

For example, obtaining links from authoritative and relevant websites helps Google recognize your content as valuable, which can improve your rankings.

It’s important to note that Google’s guidelines prohibit the buying or artificially generating links.

Some SEO companies might use black-hat techniques, so make sure to confirm whether their methods align with Google’s guidelines.

Legitimate link-building strategies include “Digital PR” (a type of backlink outreach) and increasing exposure on social media or portal sites, which are common practices overseas.

Think of external measures as strategies to make your high-quality content easier to find by external websites.

4. Content Creation

Content creation involves creating articles aimed at achieving top rankings for specific keywords.

To achieve top rankings, high-quality content that addresses the questions and concerns of search users is essential.

This is because Google operates as a “Q&A system,” providing the best possible answer to a user’s search query.

When you outsource content creation to an SEO company, SEO-savvy writers will create high-quality articles that fulfill search users’ intent and earn high marks from Google.

Some SEO companies also assist with keyword selection and rewriting content as part of their service.

One important point is that producing a large volume of content without ensuring its quality can negatively impact SEO.

Choose a company that creates “trustworthy content that truly helps users.”

These are the basic services offered when outsourcing SEO.

Our company also provides the four services mentioned above.

Points to Consider When Choosing an SEO Outsourcing Provider

SEO results are greatly influenced by the skills of the outsourcing company or individual responsible.

It is recommended to obtain quotes from multiple companies and compare them before making a decision.

However, blindly requesting quotes from too many companies can lead to overwhelming time consumption and may result in being unable to make a decision.

For this reason, it is advisable to start by getting quotes from about three companies.

In addition to considering “price” and “service details” as mentioned earlier, it is important to assess the following points when choosing a provider.

Let’s go over each of these points in detail.

1. Do they have sufficient experience?

Check what kind of achievements (results) they have and whether these results are sustainable over time.

By reviewing past results and success stories, you can assess whether the provider is capable of delivering the results you are looking for.

Ideally, the provider should have the following achievements:

• Experience in your industry or sector
• Experience in managing owned media (e.g., websites or blogs)

Having a track record means they have the necessary know-how, so you can confidently delegate your SEO work to them.

2. Do they have expertise in overall web marketing, not just SEO?

It is recommended to choose a company that is knowledgeable in overall web marketing, such as web advertising, social media management, and Google Maps marketing.

This is because SEO is just one of many marketing strategies available.

Depending on your situation, other methods might offer a better cost-effectiveness or yield better results than focusing solely on SEO.

Look for a company that is willing to carefully consider whether SEO is the best solution to achieve your goals and can offer tailored advice.

3. Can you trust the person in charge?

SEO is a long-term process.

Since your relationship with the person in charge will be long-term, trust and compatibility are crucial factors.

From the perspective of whether the person in charge will be a great partner, check the following points:

[Reference] Google’s Recommended Approach for Choosing an SEO Company

Google provides tips for selecting an SEO company.

You can check the official page for guidance on choosing a provider and specific points of caution. If you’re struggling with selecting an outsourcing provider, this is a great resource.

SEO Providers | Google Search Central

Start with a Free Consultation for SEO Outsourcing at Xscore!

At Xscore, we also provide SEO consulting and outsourcing services.

Currently, we are offering a free consultation, so please feel free to use it.

Here, we will also introduce the following two points:

• Xscore’s Features
• Our Clients’ SEO Success Stories

Xscore’s Features

At Xscore, we improve your website’s performance with SEO strategies based on the latest Google guidelines.

You can entrust us with everything from consulting to the implementation of various SEO strategies.

Once you contact us, our staff will carefully listen to your current issues and goals and provide an estimate and proposal.

Our Clients’ SEO Success Stories

Here are two examples of our clients who have achieved high rankings with our SEO support.

We have omitted specific keywords and client names for privacy, but please refer to them for context.

Case Study: Real Estate Industry Client Achieved 2nd Position in 4 Months

This is the case of a real estate industry client aiming for the keyword “〇〇 City Real Estate” (320 searches per month).

We mainly implemented the following internal strategies:

By optimizing Google’s evaluation factors, we were able to rank higher for the important “location + industry” keywords for local businesses.

Case Study: Dental Industry Client Achieved 1st Position in 2 Months

This is the case of a dental clinic client.

We rewrote content to target the keyword “Invisalign + 〇〇” (1,600 searches per month) to achieve a higher ranking.

Despite the relatively high search volume for the keyword, we were able to achieve the 1st place position by creating highly reliable content that met the search intent.

For more information about Xscore’s service fees and case results, please feel free to contact us.

【Summary】The Benefits of Outsourcing SEO are Numerous! Find the Right Outsourcing Partner to Achieve Results Efficiently

If it’s difficult for your company to handle SEO in-house, outsourcing to professionals is recommended.

Although outsourcing has some disadvantages, such as costs, it will likely offer a better return on investment in the long term compared to handling it internally.

However, it’s crucial to choose your outsourcing partner carefully.

By checking the points introduced here, you can find a great partner to help grow your business.