How Outsourcing Small Business SEO Services Can Save Time and Boost Growth

Small businesses often struggle to maintain visibility and drive organic growth. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical process for enhancing online presence, attracting more potential customers, and boosting revenue. 

However, managing SEO in-house can be time-consuming and costly, especially for small business owners with limited resources. This is where outsourcing small business SEO services can make a significant difference.

By reading this article, you’ll discover how choosing to outsource small business SEO services can save you time, reduce costs, and enhance your search engine rankings. 

We’ll provide practical guidance on choosing the right SEO service providers, comprehending essential SEO tasks, and measuring the ROI of outsourced services. 

Why Outsource Small Business SEO Services?

There are several reasons why small businesses are choosing to outsource SEO services:

Cost savings

Outsourcing your SEO campaigns allows you to access top-notch services at a fraction of the cost. External providers often offer various SEO packages tailored to different budgets, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

Access to expert knowledge

SEO is a constantly evolving field that requires staying up to date with the latest search engine algorithms, techniques, and best practices. When you outsource SEO services, you gain access to experts who specialize in this area. 

Scalability

Outsourcing allows you to scale your SEO efforts efficiently. As your business grows, your SEO needs will evolve. With outsourced professionals, you can easily adjust your level of service without the hassle of hiring or training new staff. 

Focus on core activities

Outsourcing your SEO strategy lets you concentrate on what you do best while seasoned professionals take the reins to improve your search engine visibility. This not only enhances productivity but also ensures that your SEO is in capable hands.

Consistent results

Established SEO service providers have the processes, tools, and specialized expertise to deliver consistent results. They are responsible for tracking your progress, analyzing data, and making adjustments as needed to optimize performance. 

Key SEO Services for Small Businesses

You can outsource most SEO services, but here are the ones small businesses should focus on:

• On-page optimization makes your website easily discoverable by search engines and boosts user engagement.
• Effective keyword research is foundational to any effective SEO strategy. Small businesses, especially, need to focus on localized and targeted keyword strategies to attract relevant traffic.
• Backlinks are critical to SEO success. Link building can be time-consuming, but outsourcing can make this process more manageable by acquiring credible backlinks and handling strategic outreach on your behalf.
• Technical SEO addresses the back-end aspects of your website that affect its performance. Handling technical issues requires specialized knowledge, which is why outsourcing can be particularly advantageous.

How To Choose the Right SEO Provider for Your Small Business

With so many options, it can be hard to find the right SEO service provider for you. Here are some tips on how to choose:

What to look for in an SEO provider

When examining potential partners, look for:

• A proven track record: A reputable SEO provider will have a portfolio of case studies and client testimonials. Look for those that have successfully worked with small businesses similar to yours.
• Small business focus: Providers that specialize in or have considerable experience working with small businesses will better understand your unique challenges and provide solutions tailored to your scale and budget.
• Pricing transparency: Look for potential SEO partners that provide detailed proposals outlining exactly what services you’ll receive for your investment without hidden fees or vague descriptions.

Red flags to avoid when outsourcing SEO services

Some things should also ring alarm bells. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Unrealistic promises: SEO is a long-term marketing strategy, and no legitimate provider can promise number-one search rankings overnight. These claims are often a sign of dubious practices that could harm your site.
• Secretive operations: Avoid providers unwilling to explain their processes or provide detailed plans. Transparency is crucial for building trust and ensuring your SEO strategy aligns with best practices.
• Questionable links: The quality of links is far more important than the quantity. If you partner with providers that focus solely on acquiring lots of links without considering their relevance or quality, you may wind up getting penalties from search engines.

The Cost of Outsourcing Small Business SEO Services

The decision whether to outsource small business SEO services often comes down to cost. Let’s examine the differences between in-house and outsourced SEO expenses to give you a better idea of what to expect. 

In-house SEO costs

An internal SEO team can be difficult—or even impossible—to maintain for many small businesses. In-house costs include things like:

• Salaries and benefits: Hiring an in-house SEO team or specialist involves paying regular salaries, benefits, and potential bonuses. Annual salaries for this role are around $88,900 per employee in the US, depending on experience and location.
• Training and development: Continuous training is essential to keep up with the ever-changing SEO landscape. This adds additional costs for courses, certifications, and industry conferences.
• Tools and software: SEO requires various tools for keyword research, analytics, link building, and on-page optimization. Subscriptions to these advanced tools can cost several hundred to thousands of dollars annually.

Overall, the cost of even just one internal SEO specialist can eclipse $100,000 per year, draining resources that are better spent elsewhere in the early stages of your company’s development. 

Outsourced SEO costs

Outsourcing, meanwhile, provides an opportunity for significant cost savings. It includes expenses like:

• SEO agencies and freelancers: The cost of outsourcing to an SEO outsourcing agency or freelance expert can vary widely based on their scope of services and expertise level. Annual salaries in Latin America (LatAm) for an SEO specialist average about $36,000.
• Project-based fees: Some providers offer project-based pricing, which is ideal for businesses requiring services like a one-time site audit or content creation.
• Hourly rates: Freelancers often charge hourly rates, offering flexibility for businesses with intermittent SEO needs.

Overall, the flexibility of outsourcing and the affordable rates offered by offshore SEO professionals typically make it a more cost-effective option for smaller businesses than hiring internally.

Setting a reasonable budget

Now that you know what to prepare for, here are some tips on creating a budget that matches your needs:

Assess your needs

Determine the SEO outsourcing services your business requires. Understanding the scope will help you set appropriate budget expectations. Align your budget with your SEO goals.

Evaluate value for money

Rather than focusing solely on costs, consider the ROI. A higher up-front cost with a reputable provider may yield better results. Allocate your budget with a long-term perspective. Choose providers that offer transparent reporting and data analytics.

Get multiple quotes

Request quotes from multiple providers and compare what each offers relative to their pricing. Look at the services included. Consider starting with a small trial SEO project to gauge the quality and effectiveness of a provider’s services before committing.

How To Measure the Success of Outsourced SEO

There are several ways to measure outsourced SEO. Here are some top proven metrics to track:

• Organic search traffic: Visitors who find your website through search engine results
• Keyword rankings: How your website ranks for keywords in search engine results pages (SERPs)
• Conversion rates: The percentage of visitors who take a desired action on your site, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form

You can track these manually or use helpful tools to make analysis easier. Here are some of the leading SEO tracking platforms:

• Google Analytics: Provides comprehensive data on traffic sources, user behavior, conversion rates, and more
• SEMrush: A robust SEO tool that provides keyword tracking, competitive analysis, backlink monitoring, and site audits
• Ahrefs: Known for its detailed backlink analysis, site audits, keyword explorer, and rank tracking

Top 6 Countries To Outsource SME SEO Services

Before you search, consider where you want to source your talent. Picking the right country narrows your search while giving you access to a greater number of skilled professionals in your field.

1. Argentina

Argentina boasts a strong pool of highly skilled SEO professionals who are well versed in the latest digital marketing trends. The country’s emphasis on education, technical training, and high English proficiency rate make it a highly appealing option for outsourcing.

2. Brazil

As the largest economy in LatAm, Brazil has a substantial workforce of digital marketing experts, including SEO professionals. The country’s tech industry is rapidly growing, and many of its professionals are familiar with the global market’s nuances.

3. Colombia

Colombia has emerged as a technology hub in recent years, with a strong focus on digital marketing and SEO. The cost of salaries in Colombia is relatively low compared with the US, providing cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

4. Mexico

Mexico’s proximity makes it an attractive outsourcing destination for US businesses. The country has a robust digital marketing sector and offers competitive prices for high-quality SEO services.

5. India

India is one of the global leaders in IT services and digital marketing. The country offers an extensive talent pool of SEO experts who are skilled, affordable, and adaptable to different industry needs.

6. The Philippines

The Philippines is renowned for its strong business process outsourcing industry, which includes SEO and other digital marketing services. The country’s professionals are known for their attention to detail and strong work ethic.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing small business SEO services is a smart strategy for achieving visibility on search engines and organic traffic growth without overextending your internal resources. It allows you to focus on core business activities while experienced professionals handle the complexities of SEO.

At Near, we specialize in recruiting top-tier professionals from LatAm, offering comprehensive support throughout the hiring process. We have a huge pool of pre-vetted candidates who can elevate your SEO strategy.

Ready to take the next step? Book a free consultation call with us today. Let Near help you find the right talent to boost your traffic growth and achieve your digital marketing goals!