Are SEO Companies Worth It?

As we embark on the this weeks episode of SEO B.S., we are going to discuss the infamous topic of “Are SEO Companies Worth It?” Now, we are going to stay laser focused on SEO. So, in the article we are going to being discussing SEO Companies, SEO Agencies or Marketing Agencies that offer SEO Services. We are NOT going to be discussing Digital Marketing as a whole. 

We are going to cover two topics:

1. Is SEO Worth it for Small Business? Here we are going to focus on SEO Companies that cater to entrepreneurs and small companies.
2. Are A-List Agencies Worth it? 

 

Is SEO Worth it for Small Business?

When we embark on the journey “Is SEO worth it for small businesses,” remember, we are referring to if you hire a third party agency to do your Search Engine Optimization. So, in other words, if you hire a SEO Company, SEO Agency or even a Marketing Agency that has SEO Services.

The first thing we have to consider with SEO Agencies is their niche market is entrepreneurs and small business. With this, we have to think like an entrepreneur ourselves. What I do Mean? Well, an agency’s product line are clients. In order for the agency to make more money, they have to increase their cliental.

This is a standard business practice if we want to scale our company, right?

Now, there is nothing wrong with scaling our company to increase profits but when we are dealing with SEO, it changes things a bit. The main issue is search engine optimization is time consuming. The work has to be done and you cannot cut-corners! This being said, when an agency scales their company and increases cliental this put them in a tough spot…

They have to cut-corners and take short-cuts. 

SEO and the Small Business Dilemma

You might be thinking,

“Wait a minute Chad! If an agency scales it’s company, they are going to hire more staff. So, they don’t have to take shortcuts.”

Are you ready for the bad news?

This is what we might like to think but it just not true. Now at this point, I have to talk about pure experience with agencies and even marketing departments with 3rd party cliental – They have a very lean staff. In other words, the agency is increasing cliental but the staff remains the same.

So, again they have to cut-corners or become more of a cookie cutter agency. 

 

The Marketing Agency Hires a Team of Experts

This is the GREATEST pitch any agency uses to sell their SEO Services. But there is a huge Butt…lol. When an agency does expand their staff it’s usually with interns and staff with only 1 year of experience. So, think about it this way. You are an entrepreneur. You own your own business and hire an SEO Agency. Then the agency gives your business needs to an intern! Makes no sense, right!

Let’s go back to our original question. 

 

Are SEO Companies Worth It?

No! They have too many clients, which an average agency will have around 80 thru 100 cliental with a very lean staff. This leads the agency to scale their SEO Services, cut-corners, and their services become a cookie cutter approach. Further, the agency hires interns and staff with only 1-2 years of experience, which are incompetent in search engine optimization. 

Is SEO Worth it in A-List Agencies?

What I mean “Is SEO Worth it in A-List Agencies,” are agencies that their niche market are huge brands. For example, their SEO Services are around $130,000 per year, $10,000 per month with a signed yearly contract. To be honest, usually small businesses cannot afford an A-List Agency or they just don’t think it’s worth it. It’s too much of a risk if the business gets limited results. 

Now, with A-List Agencies, they will be more established and should have a better ratio between staff and clients. For example, 1 staff member will manage between 4-5 clients for SEO Services and that is it. Even for myself, I can only manage 4-5 clients at one give time for best results. If I want to make more money, the only way is to charge more per client and still stay with ONLY 4-5 cliental. Even if I hired an employee to manage 4-5 clients while I manage the same. What will end up happening is that I will have to micromanage my staff member because I will have more experience and this will take away from my own cliental. Furthermore, A-List will also hire interns and staff with only 1 year of experience. 

This is can be a never ending cycle because even for an A-List Agency they will eventually have to cut-corners and scale their services. In my opinion, they will be better at SEO Services but more than likely will only focus on what’s the most important to try to get results.

They will not do full spectrum of SEO Services because it’s just too time consuming and will take away from other clients. Or, it will simply cost more money for the client.

 

Are SEO Companies Worth It?

No! They have too many clients, which an average agency will have around 80 thru 100 cliental with a very lean staff. This leads the agency to scale their SEO Services, cut-corners, and their services become a cookie cutter approach. Further, the agency hires interns and staff with only 1-2 years of experience, which are incompetent in search engine optimization. 

 

Is SEO Worth Learning

While wrapping up the discussion on Are SEO Companies Worth It? We have to discuss the option of “Is SEO Worth Learning?” Or, should you do SEO yourself. 

Only in opinion and experience, agencies are going to cut too many corners when offering SEO Services. And, in some cases, they will not even do your SEO because they know the client has no experience and they simply don’t know what to look for. It is just too easy to fool a client regards to SEO. So, in other words, most people are just going to waste money paying an agency for SEO Services. 

As an entrepreneur myself, it’s a better option to learn SEO, do it yourself, and then hire in-house so you can manage them.