Just to make the image make sense (you've got be creative when you're only using free images), your SEO team is a bit like the fuel that drives your strategy. The ways to build this team differ in terms of price, quality and (usually forgotten, but most importantly in my view) the amount of time you need to dedicate to make it work (err, this fuel metaphor has unravelled fairly quickly. Anyway...). Two main options emerge to build this team: hiring an in-house SEO specialist or entrusting your online fate to a talented freelance SEO professional. But which way do you go? Both paths have their own alluring benefits and treacherous pitfalls, so let's explore both, mapping out the pros and cons (and those all-important costs) in detail.
In-House SEO Specialist:
Pros:
Dedicated focus: An in-house specialist's sole mission is your website's SEO success. They become deeply immersed in your brand, industry, and audience, allowing for a highly tailored and responsive strategy.
Close collaboration: Easy communication within your team fosters seamless integration of SEO into all aspects of your marketing and business plans. You can brainstorm, adapt, and refine your strategy on the fly.
Control and stability: An in-house specialist becomes a valuable asset and knowledge repository, building institutional SEO expertise within your company.
Cons:
Costlier investment: Salary, benefits, and workspace add up. Be prepared for a significant ongoing expense, especially for high-demand talent.
Time, time, time: It takes a long time to recruit; create a job spec, search process, CV filtering, first interviews, second interviews (+create interview task), third interviews, references, notice periods (3 months for most). You will experience a lag in your SEO efforts before they get up to speed. However, it's not just the amount of time the overall process needs, it's the amount of your time that's needed to do this - you have a full-time job to be doing
Hiring experts Is difficult to get right: It's very common that the person hiring for an SEO specialist isn't themselves an expert in SEO. So, recruiting someone who is becomes a bit of a lottery if you can't properly appraise their capabilities
Limited Skill Set: SEO is a broad subject area and it may be that the person you've hired isn't a specialist in all areas. So, you might need to hire additional specialists for technical SEO, content creation or link building.
Cost & Time:
Salary range: £50,000 - £120,000+ annually depending on experience and location.
Additional costs: benefits, equipment, workspace, revenue wasted in the delayed recruitment process
Time: 4-6 months
Freelance SEO:
Pros:
Flexibility = Cost-effective: Once setup and running SEO doesn't need to be labour intensive. Working with freelancers means you can adjust the time you're paying for meaning costs are lower than in-house salaries, also saving you money on recruitment and overhead costs.
Expertise on-demand: Access diverse specialists with niche expertise in specific SEO areas like technical SEO, keyword research, or local SEO.
Scalability: Hire freelancers based on your specific needs and project demands, scaling your SEO efforts up or down easily.
Speed: Recruiting good SEO freelancers is easy with [guru] Box. We can have you up and running with a vetted SEO expert in 1-2 weeks
Cons:
Less control and communication: Remote collaboration requires clear communication and project management to ensure alignment with your overall goals.
Knowledge transfer: Freelancers come and go, potentially leaving a knowledge gap when they move on. Documenting their work is crucial.
Finding the right fit: Hiring the right freelancer takes time and effort. Be prepared to sift through candidates and interview thoroughly (or use [guru] Box to avoid this laborious process)
Cost:
Hourly rate: £50 - £200+ per hour depending on experience and expertise.
Project-based rate: Varies depending on project scope and timeframe.
Time: 1-2 weeks
The Verdict:
Ultimately, the choice between an in-house SEO specialist and a freelance SEO professional depends on your specific needs, budget, and company structure.
Choose an in-house specialist if:
You have a large budget and a long-term SEO commitment.
You value close collaboration and control over your SEO strategy.
You are able to properly interview and vet SEO talent (we can help if you need help here)
Choose a freelance SEO if:
You have a smaller budget or need project-based expertise.
You value cost-effectiveness and scalability.
You require specific niche expertise not readily available in-house.
Remember, whether you choose an in-house specialist or a freelance SEO, prioritise clear communication, defined goals, and ongoing performance measurement to ensure your SEO investment fuels the journey towards online success. Also, one of the most important traits we value at [guru] Box is humility. Regardless of the approach make sure there's a cultural fit between your business and your SEO specialist.