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DIY vs. Outsourcing SEO: What’s Best for Your Small Business?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial element for any small business looking to thrive online. But when it comes to managing your SEO, you’re faced with a common conundrum: should you roll up your sleeves and do it yourself, or hire an expert to handle it for you? While both options have pros and cons, this article will break down each approach and reveal why outsourcing might just be the smarter move in the long run.

Understanding the Basics of SEO

Before diving into the DIY vs. outsourcing debate, let’s briefly cover what SEO actually involves. SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on search engines like Google. It encompasses tasks such as keyword research, on-page optimization, content creation, backlink building, and technical audits. The goal? More visibility, more traffic, and ultimately more sales.

The Case for DIY SEOBob the builder to share about DIY vs. outsourcing SEO

1. Cost-Effective (at Least Initially)

One of the main reasons small business owners consider the DIY route is because it seems cheaper—at first glance. You won’t have to pay an agency or a freelancer, so there’s a perceived cost saving. If you’re working with a tight budget, the idea of managing your own SEO can seem appealing.

2. Full Control Over Strategies

Doing SEO yourself allows you to control the strategies and processes entirely. You’ll be deeply involved in all aspects of optimization, ensuring that your branding and voice are consistent across all channels. It’s also easier to adjust tactics quickly since you’re in the driver’s seat.

3. Potential Learning Opportunity

Learning SEO is like acquiring any other business skill. Diving into the world of SEO will expose you to digital marketing concepts that can benefit your business in the long run. You’ll learn the fundamentals, stay updated with trends, and become more self-reliant in managing your online presence.

4. Flexibility

When you manage SEO on your own, you have the flexibility to experiment with various strategies and see what works best for your business. You can focus on specific aspects of SEO, such as local SEO, that might bring quicker results for small businesses.

The Drawbacks of DIY SEO

1. Steep Learning Curve

SEO is complex, with constantly changing algorithms, best practices, and competitive tactics. While you might pick up the basics quickly, mastering SEO is another story. To consistently drive results, you’ll need to devote significant time to learning and implementing advanced strategies.

2. Time-Consuming

SEO is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing effort. Regular updates, content creation, backlink analysis, and performance tracking take time. As a business owner, your time is one of your most valuable assets. Spending hours on SEO might mean neglecting other important areas of your business, such as product development, customer service, or sales.

3. Risk of Mistakes

SEO mistakes can be costly. Using outdated techniques, implementing “black-hat” tactics, or incorrectly optimizing your site can result in penalties from search engines, ultimately hurting your visibility. The problem with DIY is that you often don’t know what you don’t know, which can make the consequences even worse.

4. Limited Results

Since SEO is multifaceted, it requires a mix of technical knowledge, content creation skills, and analytical abilities. While you might see some initial results from DIY efforts, it’s often challenging to sustain significant growth without expertise. In most cases, DIY strategies plateau quickly.

The Case for Outsourcing SEO

1. Expertise and Experience

When you hire an SEO agency or professional (*cough* Strottner Designs *cough*), you get access to specialized knowledge and experience. These experts (US!) stay updated with the latest algorithms, tools, and strategies, ensuring your website follows best practices. Their experience across different industries can bring new insights and a fresh perspective to your digital strategy.

2. Time Efficiency

With an outsourced team…OK, I’ll stop pretending there are other companies that do this as well as us now…managing your SEO, you free up valuable time to focus on running your business. You won’t have to worry about learning how to use the latest keyword tool or staying up to date with Google’s latest core update. You can dedicate your energy to what you do best while the experts handle the complex world of search optimization.

3. Comprehensive Strategy

Strottner Designs, your experienced SEO provider won’t just focus on one or two aspects of SEO—we cover everything. From on-page optimization and technical fixes to off-page tactics like link building, map building, and AI Results Optimization (AIRO), we create a holistic strategy that drives sustainable results. We identify gaps in your current strategy and implement improvements that you might overlook on your own.

4. Better Tools and Resources

We have access to premium tools that can be costly for small businesses to purchase independently. These tools can provide deeper insights into keyword opportunities, competitor strategies, and technical issues on your site. The advantage of outsourcing to us is that you get access to these tools and the expertise to interpret the data.

5. Scalable Solutions

As your business grows, your SEO needs will evolve. An outsourced team, like Strottner Designs, can quickly scale their efforts to accommodate this growth. Whether you need to target new keywords, expand your content strategy, or tackle more technical issues, we adjust our approach without disrupting your business operations.

6. Higher ROI

Outsourcing SEO is often seen as an investment rather than an expense. By leveraging experts, you’re more likely to see higher returns on your SEO campaigns. Well-executed SEO can lead to increased traffic, more leads, and higher conversion rates, making it a cost-effective strategy for driving revenue.

The Drawbacks of Outsourcing SEO

1. Upfront Cost

Outsourcing SEO can be expensive, especially if you hire a reputable agency or freelancer. While it’s an investment that often pays off, the initial costs can be a hurdle for small businesses on a tight budget. A benefit to working with us, our first month has the exact same price as any other month. Our retainer based pricing is consistent and transparent.

2. Less Immediate Control

When you outsource, you’re trusting someone else with your brand’s digital presence. While a good agency will keep you in the loop, you’ll have less direct control over every detail of the strategy. For some entrepreneurs, this can be unsettling. This is why we provide monthly emails detailing analytics, results, and recommendations.

3. Finding the Right Partner

Not all SEO agencies deliver the same results, and finding the right one can be challenging. You’ll need to vet potential partners, check references, and review case studies to ensure they’re a good fit for your business.

Why Outsourcing SEO Is the Best Choice

summary photo about using strottner designs to outsource SEO featuring a meme with a man and a woman laying in bed

Despite the potential drawbacks, outsourcing SEO generally provides more consistent and sustainable results than going the DIY route. For small business owners who are serious about growth, it’s often the more practical choice.

Outsourcing allows you to tap into expert knowledge, save time, and achieve better ROI. While DIY might seem cost-effective at first, the expertise, scalability, and comprehensive strategies offered by professionals far outweigh the initial investment. Ultimately, outsourcing empowers you to focus on what you do best: running your business.

So, if you’re ready to boost your online presence and drive more sales, outsourcing your SEO is the smarter move. Contact us at support@strottner.com to learn more, or audit your site using the tool found on every page of this website! And of course, take advantage of our SEOctober special, where you can achieve wonderful savings on your outsourced SEO.

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