Ecommerce SEO agencies can really help online stores get more visitors and sales. But many business owners wonder if it’s better to hire an agency or build their own in-house SEO team. Both options have good and bad sides, and the right choice depends on what your business needs, your budget, and how much time and effort you can put in.
This guide will explain the differences, benefits, and challenges of ecommerce SEO agencies and in-house teams, so you can make the best decision for your store.
What Are Ecommerce SEO Agencies?
Ecommerce SEO agencies are companies that help online stores get found on search engines like Google. Their main goal is to increase traffic, which can lead to more sales. Agencies do this by researching the right keywords, fixing website issues, building backlinks, and creating content strategies that attract customers.
They usually work with popular ecommerce platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce. Agencies often handle multiple clients, which gives them experience across different industries. They know what works and can apply tested strategies to your store quickly.
Pros of Ecommerce SEO Agencies
- Experience: Agencies have worked with many different businesses, so they know what strategies produce results. For example, if a competitor in your niche is performing well, they can identify what’s working and adapt it for your store.
- Tools: Agencies have access to expensive SEO tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog. These tools can provide detailed insights about your website’s performance, your competitors, and your keywords.
- Flexible: Agencies can handle more work when your business grows. If you launch a new product line or expand into a new market, they can scale their services quickly without you having to hire extra staff.
- Quick Action: Agencies can start making changes fast because they do this every day. They have experience managing multiple SEO projects and know how to prioritise tasks for fast results.
- Fresh View: Being external, agencies can spot issues or opportunities that your team might miss. Sometimes being too close to your own website makes it hard to see what’s not working.
Cons of Ecommerce SEO Agencies
- Cost: Agencies can be expensive. Monthly retainers or project fees can be high, which may not suit smaller businesses with limited budgets.
- Learning Your Brand: It might take time for them to understand your products, customers, and brand voice. Early strategies may require adjustments as they get to know your business.
- Dependency: Relying too much on an agency can be risky. If the relationship ends, you could lose knowledge about your SEO strategy and momentum.
- Less Control: You have limited direct oversight of day-to-day tasks. Agencies operate on their schedule, which may not always match your internal deadlines.
What Are In-House SEO Teams?
In-house SEO teams are employees who work within your company and focus only on improving your website’s search engine ranking. They are part of your team, which makes communication easier and faster. They can work directly with your marketing, content, and development teams to implement strategies and make quick changes.
Having an in-house team gives you a sense of control. You can guide their work, prioritise tasks, and make decisions quickly. Over time, these employees gain deep knowledge of your brand, products, and audience, which helps create personalised strategies that match your business goals.
Pros of In-House SEO Teams
- Know Your Brand: In-house teams understand your products, customers, and goals better than an external agency. They can create strategies that fit perfectly with your brand’s identity.
- More Control: You can manage priorities and make changes instantly. You don’t have to wait for an agency’s schedule.
- Work Together: In-house teams can collaborate closely with content creators, web developers, and marketing staff. This makes it easier to implement changes and maintain a consistent brand voice.
- Save Money Long-Term: For large businesses, paying salaries may be cheaper than ongoing agency fees. Once you have a skilled team, you can handle SEO without extra costs.
- Fast Response: Internal teams can react quickly to algorithm updates, market changes, or urgent website problems.
Cons of In-House SEO Teams
- Limited Skills: A small team might not have all the expertise needed. For example, technical SEO, link building, and content marketing might require different specialists.
- Training Costs: You need to train them and manage turnover. If someone leaves, it can disrupt projects.
- Slower Growth: Hiring extra team members takes time, which can delay expansion plans or new strategies.
- Tools Are Expensive: SEO tools can be costly, and you have to provide them for your team.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Between the Two
1. Budget
Your budget is one of the biggest things to think about. Agencies usually charge monthly fees or project costs, which can be expensive for small businesses. In-house teams need salaries, benefits, and ongoing training, which can add up too. Think about what you can afford now and in the long term.
2. Business Size
The size of your business matters. Small online stores might get more benefit from agencies because they bring experience and resources that a tiny team might not have. Bigger companies often prefer in-house teams so they can have more control and integrate SEO closely with other departments.
3. Project Difficulty
If your SEO project is complex, like launching a large ecommerce site with many products, an agency might be better. Agencies have specialists for technical SEO, content, link building, and more. In-house teams might struggle unless they are large and highly skilled.
4. Speed
Agencies usually work faster because they have experience and a structured workflow. If you need results quickly, an agency can implement changes and track performance efficiently. In-house teams can also be fast, but it depends on team size and experience.
5. Control
Think about how much control you want over your SEO work. In-house teams give you full control, you can decide priorities, make instant changes, and monitor progress closely. Agencies give some flexibility but you may need to accept their processes and timelines.
Cost Comparison: Agency vs In-House
Conclusion
Deciding between ecommerce SEO agencies and in-house teams depends on your business goals, budget, and growth plans. Agencies are great for fast results, flexibility, and access to wide expertise without hiring extra staff. In-house teams are better if you want more control, a deep understanding of your brand, and closer collaboration with other departments. Consider your priorities carefully to choose the right option for your online store.