Both in-house and outsourced SEO have their unique advantages and drawbacks, but one is definitely better than the other. Delve into this blog to find out the benefits of in-house SEO vs. outsourced SEO. Which one it is and what can work best for you to meet your SEO needs. So, let’s start!
Search Engine Optimization is necessary for growth and to outrank competitors. If you’ve already realized how it enhances visibility, drives exposure, and boosts growth, and are wondering which option between in-house SEO and outsourced SEO can help your website.
We must tell you that you will get all your answers in this blog.
As an SEO agency in India, RankON Technologies has been a trusted outsourcing partner for over 500 businesses, catering to all their SEO needs.
Our agency operates on a client-first model, so you can’t tell the difference between your in-house team and ours.
We work with you as a team, prepare a winning strategy, and believe us, we celebrate your success the way you do!
However, through this blog, we shall provide clarity on choosing between in-house and outsourced SEO by weighing both options on factors such as cost, control, speed, expertise, scalability, and ROI to help you make a well-informed decision.
In-house Vs Outsourced SEO: What is the Difference?
What Is In-House SEO?
As the name suggests, in-house SEO refers to undertaking and managing the SEO operations within the company using full-time employees rather than external agencies or freelancers.
As the team works exclusively on the brand’s website, marketing goals, and long-term growth roadmap, they attain a deep understanding of the business’s products and services, audience, and internal processes, enabling tight alignment with broader business objectives.
What is the Structure of an In-House SEO Team?
While some people wonder, having an in-house team means getting an SEO specialist on board, and that’s it!
But there’s way more to it. Having your website at the top of the SERPs requires you to perform a range of activities that call for diverse skill sets and expertise.
Therefore, having only an SEO specialist on board would not be effective. You will need content strategists, graphic designers, link builders, and more, as discussed below, to achieve the results you desire.
- SEO Specialist or SEO Manager: Leads keyword strategy, on-page optimization, audits, technical fixes, tracking, and reporting.
- Content Writer or Content Strategist: Produces SEO-driven blogs, landing pages, and informational content aligned with keyword opportunities.
- Technical SEO Expert: Handles site architecture, Core Web Vitals, crawlability, schema markup, and overall technical health.
- Link Builder or Outreach Specialist: Manages digital PR, link acquisition campaigns, guest posting, and authority-building efforts.
- SEO Strategist or Head of SEO: Defines long-term SEO roadmap, aligns with business goals, and coordinates with product, marketing, and development teams.
What Is an Outsourced SEO Agency?
An outsourced SEO agency is an external organization that provides end-to-end SEO services to businesses across different industries.
These teams bring with them experience, next-level expertise, a proven process, and scalable resources. They’ve already handled a range of SEO projects and understand the minutiae of search engine optimization.
The outsourced SEO agency works with multiple clients simultaneously. It ensures structured workflows, advanced tools, and a results-driven approach tailored to diverse business models, including ecommerce SEO, local SEO service businesses, SaaS, healthcare, and more.
Instead of employing a single person, they have entire departments that collaborate to handle the operations involved in SEO. This includes:
SEO Strategy & Optimization Department
- Keyword research and competitor analysis
- On-page, off-page, and local SEO execution
- SEO roadmaps aligned with business objectives
Content Strategy Department
- Search intent mapping and content planning
- Topic clusters and pillar page strategy
- Editorial calendars driven by data and trends
Content Production Department
- SEO blog writing, landing pages, and web copy
- Content optimization and refreshes
- Editing, proofreading, and quality assurance
Technical SEO Department
- Website audits and technical issue resolution
- Page speed optimization and Core Web Vitals
- Crawlability, indexing, schema, and mobile SEO
Link Building & Digital PR Department
- White-hat backlink acquisition
- Outreach campaigns and authority building
- Brand mentions and referral traffic growth
SEO Analytics & Reporting Department
- Rank tracking and traffic analysis
- Conversion and ROI measurement
- Actionable insights and performance reports
Project Management & Client Success Department
- Workflow management and task coordination
- Client communication and progress tracking
- Strategy alignment and delivery timelines
In-House SEO vs. Outsourced SEO team: What Are the Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths of an In-House SEO Team
- Familiarity of Brand, Product, and Customers
One of the most significant benefits of having an in-house SEO team is that they possess an in-depth understanding of the company, its value proposition, target audience, unique selling points, and more, which they incorporate into their SEO strategy to give a business a distinctive edge.
- Real-Time Communication and Quick Implementation
Having an in-house team means nothing if the team members are not dedicated and competent. Changes such as updating a landing page, pushing technical fixes, or adjusting a content plan can happen quickly without waiting for approval cycles.
- Strong Alignment with Internal Stakeholders
An internal SEO function becomes part of the company’s culture and workflow. Teams work closely with marketing leadership, product managers, and developers, which ensures SEO priorities remain visible and integrated into broader decision-making.
- Direct Control of Strategy and Execution
With an in-house team, the business maintains complete control over priorities, timelines, and strategy. The management has complete freedom to adjust SEO direction based on internal goals, campaign results, or changing market conditions without negotiating scope changes.
Weaknesses of an In-House SEO Team
- Expensive to Maintain
Hiring even one SEO expert can be expensive. When you factor in salaries, benefits, training, and long-term retention, the price can go significantly up.
- Limited Expertise
SEO requires a team of professionals with diverse skill sets. An in-house team often faces challenges due to a lack of expertise.
- Reliance on a Small Team
When SEO knowledge sits with one or two people, the business growth becomes dependent on them. If someone leaves or is unavailable, progress slows, and continuity suffers.
- Higher Tools Cost
SEO requires high-quality, premium tools to gather market insights and data. A company with an in-house SEO team has to bear all these costs, making it an expensive commitment.
Strengths of an Outsourced SEO Agency
Access to a Pool of Industry Professionals
An outsourced SEO agency gives you access to a big pool of professionals with skills, experience, and unmatched industry knowledge.
A Cost-Effective Choice
An outsourced SEO agency is any day more cost-effective than an in-house team. Instead of bearing full-time salaries, benefits, and tool expenses, businesses pay a predictable monthly fee while benefiting from enterprise-grade resources.
Faster Execution & Quicker Results
Agencies follow proven workflows and timelines. With multiple experts working in parallel, audits, fixes, and content rollouts happen faster.
Advanced Tools & Technology
Top agencies invest in premium SEO tools for research, tracking, reporting, and automation, but these tools are often too expensive for individual businesses to maintain.
Weaknesses of an Outsourced SEO Agency
Less Day-to-Day Control
When working with an external agency, companies relinquish direct control over daily SEO operations. Agencies manage execution according to their workflows and timelines, which can make immediate changes or ad-hoc adjustments a bit slower than with an in-house team.
Dependency on Communication Cycles
Agencies manage multiple clients simultaneously, which creates dependencies on scheduled meetings, emails, and reporting cycles.
Quality Varies Across Agencies
Not all SEO agencies are the same. Quality depends on expertise, experience, and resource allocation. Businesses need to be immensely careful during agency selection, check references, and monitor performance to ensure their righteousness.
In-house SEO Team vs. Outsourced SEO Agency: What Makes The Difference?
Cost Breakdown & Comparison
In-House SEO Cost
A typical in-house SEO team requires hiring at least 3–5 specialists: an SEO manager, a content writer, a technical SEO expert, a backlink builder, and possibly a strategist. Although their salaries may vary from one region to another, here are the expected costs
Role | USA (Annual) | UK (Annual) | India (Annual) | Canada (Annual) |
SEO Manager | ~$90,000 – ~$120,000 | ~£45,000 – £55,000 | ₹8 L – ₹15 L (~$10,000 – $18,000) | ~$70,000 – $90,000 |
SEO Specialist | ~$70,000 – ~$90,000 | ~£35,000 – £45,000 | ₹3 L – ₹9 L (~$4,000 – $11,000) | ~$60,000 – $75,000 |
Content / SEO Writer | ~$70,000 – ~$95,000 | ~£35,000 – £45,000 | ₹3 L – ₹10 L (~$4,000 – $10,000) | ~$60,000 – $80,000 |
Link Builder / Outreach Specialist | ~$45,000 – ~$65,000 | ~£30,000 – £45,000 | ₹2 L – ₹6 L (~$3,000 – $8,000) | ~$45,000 – $60,000 |
Graphic Designer | ~$55,000 – ~$78,000 | ~£27,000 – £45,000 | ₹3 L – ₹8 L (~$4,000 – $10,000) | ~$50,000 – $70,000 |
Apart from salaries, there are costs for SEO tools, software subscriptions, and training involved. In addition, there are indirect costs, such as job postings, interviews, and hiring time.
Cost Category | What It Includes | Average Annual Cost (USD) |
SEO Tools & Software | Ahrefs / SEMrush, Screaming Frog, Surfer SEO, rank tracking tools, and reporting dashboards | $3,000 – $8,000 |
Analytics & CRO Tools | GA4 enhancements, heatmaps (Hotjar), A/B testing tools, conversion tracking | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Content & AI Tools | Grammarly, plagiarism checkers, content optimization tools, and AI writing support | $800 – $2,000 |
Technical SEO Tools | Site audit tools, log file analyzers, page speed tools, schema testing platforms | $1,000 – $2,500 |
Training & Skill Development | Courses, certifications, conferences, workshops, and algorithm update training | $2,000 – $5,000 |
Recruitment & Hiring Costs | Job postings, recruiter fees, interview time, and HR involvement | $2,000 – $6,000 per hire |
Onboarding & Ramp-Up Time | Productivity loss during the initial 2–3 months | $3,000 – $10,000 (opportunity cost) |
Software Licenses (Non-SEO) | Project management tools, communication platforms, and internal reporting systems | $1,000 – $2,500 |
Employee Benefits & Overheads | Insurance, workspace, hardware, internet, utilities | 20–30% of salary cost |
Outsourced SEO Cost
On the other hand, Outsourced SEO lets you pay only the monthly retainer and get peace of mind. You don’t have to stress over individual elements and pay an expected fee to get proven, skilled SEO services.
To get SEO services from RankON Technologies, the no.1 SEO company in India, you need to get one of the following SEO packages based on your requirement.
From the above tables, it is evident that hiring an SEO agency is far more cost-effective than managing an in-house team. Plus, it comes with industry knowledge, experience, and premium tools needed to obtain data and perform an array of SEO activities.
Verdict: Outsourced SEO Agency is a clear winner in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Expertise and Resource Comparison
In-House Team vs Outsourced SEO Agency
Skills and Expertise- Outsourced SEO agencies usually employ technical specialists who handle complex site architecture, crawlability, schema markup, Core Web Vitals, and site migrations.
On the other hand, in-house teams usually have a single technical expert, who may or may not be well-versed in different SEO verticals.
Content Production Capabilities – SEO agencies feature dedicated content teams comprising writers, editors, and designers who can produce high-quality content at scale.
On the other hand, in-house teams usually have limited capabilities, so they produce content in small quantities.
Link-Building Capacity- Link building is a key aspect of SEO. Building high-quality backlinks requires outreach, relationship management, and access to industry contacts.
Outsourced SEO agencies often leverage their existing networks and have dedicated link-building specialists who know the techniques to build high-quality backlinks at scale.
In-house teams usually have limited resources, which makes it difficult for them to obtain high-quality, authoritative backlinks.
Analytics and Reporting Sophistication- When it comes to SEO, analytics and reporting play a crucial role in assessing the SEO outcomes.
Agencies invest in advanced analytics, dashboards, and custom reporting tools to monitor performance, track ROI, and adjust strategies.
On the other hand, in-house teams may have limited resources to create such systems, resulting in fewer actionable insights and slower decision-making.
Special Benefits: SEO doesn’t work on a cookie-clutter approach. Every other day, there are algorithm changes, new tools, and challenges that require you to adapt and evolve.
While outsourced SEO agencies keep everything in check and adjust their strategies as search algorithms change, the in-house SEO team keeps up with trends.
Still, there’s always a risk of missing something crucial due to limited resources. On the other hand, outsourcing offers some key benefits, including:
- Handling complex international SEO for multi-language websites.
- Scaling content and link-building campaigns quickly during product launches.
- Managing technical fixes across large platforms with minimal downtime.
- Producing consistent reporting and strategy updates that inform other marketing channels.
Verdict: While the answer depends solely on selecting the right SEO agency or in-house SEO professionals, SEO agencies are likely to have a diverse skill set and rich resources, making them a clear winner.
Scalability and Flexibility
In-House SEO Team: In-house SEO teams can handle day-to-day optimizations and moderate content production, but scaling campaigns requires hiring additional specialists.
This process is time-consuming and costly. That’s why resource bottlenecks, slow expansion, and training requirements reduce the in-house team’s performance.
Outsourced SEO Agency: Outsourced SEO agencies are inherently more flexible, as they have a broad talent pool. Depending on how your business scales, it can increase the content output, boost link-building campaigns, or implement large-scale technical fixes without delays or internal constraints.
They scale in the following ways to meet your SEO requirements.
- They can assign multiple specialists to high-priority tasks as needed.
- They can handle spikes in demand efficiently during critical launches.
- They collaborate with you to target new keywords and set up new landing pages immediately.
Verdict: So, an outsourced SEO agency often has enough resources and strategies to scale your requirements with ease.
On the other hand, the in-house team may scale your SEO efforts, but it may need to increase resources, which is not possible immediately. So, an outsourced SEO agency is a winner here.
ROI and Performance Outlook
Regardless of whether you have an in-house SEO team or an outsourced SEO agency, there are specific key performance indicators that are crucial to measure SEO effectiveness. This includes:
- Growth in the number of visitors to the website (Organic Traffic)
- Boost in the targeted keyword rankings
- Leads, sign-ups, or sales generated from organic visitors.
- Growth in high-quality, authoritative links.
- Technical health metrics, such as site speed, crawl errors, indexation, and Core Web Vitals.
In-house SEO team: In-house SEO teams often focus heavily on ROI and performance improvements. They ensure that the targeted keywords are core to the business strategy and stay in touch with management to understand the business goals better.
Outsourced SEO Agency: SEO agencies leverage cross-industry experience and expertise to deliver results. They utilize:
- Data-driven insights to spot trends and best practices.
- Premium-grade SEO tools for keyword research, competitive analysis, and link audits, ensuring a more precise strategy.
- Standardized workflows to reduce delays, maintain quality, and ensure consistent execution.
Verdict: In-house SEO teams work towards integrating SEO with organizational goals. On the other hand, agencies provide faster execution, cross-industry insights, and access to specialized tools, ensuring scalable growth.
In-house Vs Outsourced SEO: Which Is Right for Your Business in 2026?
While the benefits of hiring an SEO agency are obvious over managing an in-house SEO team, we shall still tell which option can work well for you in different situations:
Choose In-House If:
- When you have a large marketing team supporting multiple team members, you need to provide them with the tools and training to keep pace with changing trends.
- When organic search is a core acquisition channel, continuous optimization is vital for sustained growth.
- When you have complex products, specialized services, or regulated industries, they benefit from internal experts who understand the business intimately.
Choose an SEO Agency If:
- You need quick execution and faster results as agencies can deploy multiple specialists simultaneously, speeding up implementation.
- You need highly skilled, competent SEO experts, content creators, link builders, and analysts under a single contract.
- When you have a limited budget and high expectations, agencies can offer scalable solutions without the overhead of multiple full-time hires.
- You need predictable deliverables that enable structured campaigns with clear KPIs, allowing smaller teams to focus on core business operations.
Bottom Line: Why Outsource Your SEO to RankON Technologies in India?
SEO is not one skill. It’s technical SEO, content, links, analytics, and constant adaptation to Google updates.
Expecting one or two in-house hires to handle all of that well is unrealistic. Building a whole internal team is possible, but it’s expensive, slow, and risky if even one key person leaves.
Outsourcing SEO solves this problem faster. An agency already has specialists for each role, proven systems, and experience across different industries.
There’s no learning curve at your expense, no tool subscriptions to manage, and no dependency on a single employee. Work moves faster, and results are easier to scale.
That said, outsourcing isn’t magic. A bad agency will waste time and money. The difference comes down to choosing a partner that works like an extension of your team, not a vendor sending monthly reports.
The practical answer?
- If you’re a growing business and want results without building an expensive internal department, outsourcing SEO is the more brilliant move.
- If you’re a large enterprise with budget, patience, and long-term SEO maturity, in-house can work, but only with serious investment.
If you’re looking for one SEO agency that can help you get the best of your SEO investment, look no further than RankON Technologies. With 14+ years of experience, 500+ SEO clients, and a team of over 25 members, we can pave the way for your business towards success.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch to get a FREE QUOTE.
FAQs on In-House vs Hiring an SEO Agency
In-house SEO is handled by the team, which has deep knowledge of the organization. In contrast, an SEO agency works outside the organization but has unparalleled expertise to develop expert SEO strategies and execute them efficiently.
In-house SEO adds to the organization’s expenses, including salaries, tools, and training for multiple resources, which is far more than hiring an agency that already has a specialized team and resources.
For small businesses, hiring an SEO agency is a better option, delivering efficient, fast results and providing access to a team with multiple skills without onboarding full-time staff.
Absolutely, many follow a hybrid strategy. On the one hand, an in-house SEO person handles brand alignment and strategy; on the other hand, an agency focuses on executing technical SEO, managing content, and link building to achieve results expeditiously.
Generally, results can be observed in 3-6 months. However, it can vary depending on the website’s age, content quality, strategy execution, and competition.
