8 Benefits In-House Teams Enjoy from Working with SEO Consultants

When SEO becomes a challenge in-house, SEO consultants can offer major benefits to enhance a website’s search engine visibility and traffic. 

SEO consultants bring specialized knowledge and fresh perspectives that are invaluable to any organization. 

In this article, I’ll dive into the key advantages in-house teams enjoy by partnering with professional SEO consultants:

1. Cost-Effectiveness

2. Expertise and Specialized Knowledge

3. Objective and Fresh Perspective

4. Customized SEO Strategies

5. Direct Access to Experts

6. Integration with Existing Teams

7. Faster Implementation

8. Enhanced ROI

Final Thoughts

Quick Solutions

FAQ: How Do I Choose the Best SEO Consultant for My Business in Today’s Market?

1. Cost-Effectiveness

SEO consultancies can offer several financial and strategic advantages. I’ll outline some of those next. 

Alternative to High-Level SEO Staff

Employing a full-time, high-level SEO expert can be prohibitively expensive for many businesses. 

Salaries for experienced SEO professionals can be high. According to data by Previsible, the VP of SEO averages about $192,000 annually.

When you hire an SEO consultancy with decades of experience, you are effectively hiring an SEO director for your company.

That’s why hiring an SEO consultant provides an alternative, giving businesses access to top-tier SEO expertise without committing to a full-time salary, benefits, taxes and other financial obligations.

Eliminates Hiring Costs 

Recruiting, onboarding and retaining a full-time senior SEO expert involves significant costs. 

These include expenses related to job postings, recruitment agency fees, training and employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. 

Businesses can eliminate these overhead costs by opting for an SEO consultant. Consultants often offer the flexibility of working on a project or retainer basis, allowing businesses to pay for only the services they need when they need them.

Access to Top Talent 

SEO agencies often employ seasoned professionals with extensive experience across various industries and markets. At Bruce Clay, for example, we only employ SEO experts with a decade or more of experience in their fields. 

This means businesses can leverage the expertise of top SEO minds without the long-term financial commitment associated with full-time employment. 

Mitigating the Risk of Changes

Cost savings can be achieved in different ways when you work with an SEO consultant. 

Look at it this way: An unexpected drop in website traffic due to an algorithm change can significantly decrease leads and sales. Not having SEO expertise during these critical times can be costly.  

In addition, their proactive approach to SEO best practices helps mitigate the risks associated with algorithm updates ahead of time, ensuring that websites can better weather the storms. 

2. Expertise and Specialized Knowledge

In-house teams often juggle multiple tasks, from putting out fires to launching new campaigns. Sixty-two percent of marketers said bandwidth was the single greatest challenge facing their departments.

This constant demand can make it challenging to dedicate 100% of the focus to SEO initiatives. Having an SEO consultant on board can alleviate the burden of keeping up with SEO industry advancements.  

Unlike an in-house marketing team being pulled in different directions, an SEO consultant concentrates specifically on SEO. This focus ensures that they bring a high level of expertise and up-to-date knowledge to the table.

Up-to-Date SEO Knowledge 

SEO consultants invest time and resources into staying updated with the latest trends, best practices and algorithm updates that search engines like Google implement. 

What worked a few months ago might not be as effective today. By keeping abreast of these changes, the best SEO consultants ensure their strategies align with current SEO best practices.

This proactive approach helps when in-house teams don’t have the time, resources or skills to keep up.

Focused Skill Set

One of the main advantages of hiring an SEO consultant is their concentrated focus on SEO rather than a broad range of digital marketing services. This specialized focus allows consultants to develop a deep understanding of SEO techniques and tools. 

For instance, great SEO consultants are adept at conducting comprehensive keyword research, optimizing on-page elements, improving site architecture, understanding user experience factors for SEO, technical SEO and earning high-quality backlinks. (Though some may specialize more in one area than another.)

SEO consultants can also analyze competitor strategies to find gaps and opportunities and develop content plans that resonate with the target audience and attract organic traffic. 

This level of precision and attention to detail often sets successful SEO campaigns apart from mediocre ones.

3. Objective and Fresh Perspective

Tunnel vision happens. Repetitive tasks or routines lead to a narrow focus, causing people to overlook obvious solutions or alternative approaches to problems. Working with an SEO consultant offers a fresh perspective on your SEO efforts. 

Unbiased Analysis

Internal teams may develop blind spots or become too close to the business to evaluate its SEO performance objectively. An external SEO consultant brings a fresh pair of eyes and can objectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current SEO strategy. 

An SEO consultant can identify overlooked opportunities and pitfalls that internal teams might miss. This unbiased analysis ensures more informed decision-making.

Innovative Solutions

SEO consultants often work with clients across different industries, giving them a broad perspective on effective strategies. This experience allows them to bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to solving SEO challenges. 

Whether it’s cutting-edge SEO techniques, new tools and technologies or adopting quality content strategies, consultants can introduce innovative ways to drive better results. 

Related: How Do I Uncover SEO Opportunities My Team Might Have Missed?

4. Customized SEO Strategies

A cookie-cutter approach to SEO produces generic results. That is why some SEO packages deliver subpar results.

One of the standout benefits of working with a good SEO consultant is access to customized SEO strategies. 

SEO consultancy services like those we offer at Bruce Clay Inc. are personalized to each business. This approach means understanding each client’s unique needs and goals to create tailored solutions.

Tailored Solutions

Every business is different, with its challenges, target audience and competition. The best SEO consultants recognize this and develop personalized strategies aligning with each client’s objectives. 

For instance:

• A local business looking to increase foot traffic might benefit from a solid local SEO strategy, including optimizing Google Business Profile and acquiring local backlinks. 
• On the other hand, an e-commerce site might require a focus on product page optimization, structured data implementation and content marketing to boost online sales.

A tailored approach often begins with thorough research and analysis to understand the business, industry and target market. This, paired with a rigorous website assessment via a technical SEO audit, helps set the stage for the SEO strategy. 

This ensures that every action is strategic and contributes directly to achieving the client’s goals. 

Flexibility

With search engine algorithms frequently updated (Google makes thousands of changes to Search each year), shifting market conditions and technological advancements, a rigid SEO plan that cannot accommodate changes can quickly become irrelevant.

The right SEO consultant will adapt and modify strategies in response to changes. For example, if a business decides to launch a new product line, an SEO consultant can quickly pivot to optimize new content, build relevant backlinks and adjust the keyword focus to support the product launch.

This flexibility also helps with unforeseen challenges. Whether it’s a sudden drop in rankings due to an algorithm update or a shift in consumer behavior, SEO consultants are equipped to analyze the situation and swiftly implement changes. 

Related: How Do I Create an SEO Strategy That Adapts to My Business’s Unique Goals and Market Changes?

5. Direct Access to Experts

When you need your taxes done, you get an accountant. If you want to know where to invest, you hire an investment advisor. And, if you want to know how to excel in the search results, hire an SEO consultant. 

Direct access to specialized SEO expertise anytime you need it is a huge advantage. This dedicated support is key for big and small SEO initiatives, and solving the toughest SEO problems.

Personalized Attention 

SEO consultants become intimately familiar with your business, understanding its unique challenges and opportunities, which allows for more effective and targeted SEO efforts.

Dedicated Support 

With an SEO consultant, you have a dedicated expert available to address your SEO concerns and questions. This direct line of communication ensures that any SEO issues or questions you have are promptly addressed.  

Efficient Problem Solving

Whether it’s a drop in rankings, a technical SEO issue or the need to capitalize on a trending topic, having an expert on hand allows for quick and effective problem-solving. This agility can make a significant difference in maintaining and improving your search engine visibility.

Related: How Do I Gain Access to Expert-Level SEO Support When I Need It Most?

6. Integration with Existing Teams

SEO consultants are not just external advisors; they are partners who can work seamlessly with a business’s existing teams. 

Collaborative Approach

SEO consultants can engage with various teams, including marketing, IT and content, to ensure that SEO strategies align with broader business goals. This collaborative approach helps teams work towards the same objectives. 

Knowledge Transfer

SEO consultants often provide SEO training and resources to upskill the business’s staff, enabling them to understand and implement SEO best practices. This knowledge transfer ensures the business can sustain and build upon the improvements made during the consultancy period. 

Related: How Do I Integrate External SEO Expertise with My In-House Team Effectively?

7. Faster Implementation

It’s not uncommon for in-house teams to hit a wall when it comes to implementing recommended SEO strategies. SEO consultants can offer expert guidance on how to get things done by navigating internal challenges. 

In fact, according to research coming from Sagefrog, 38% cited faster implementation as the reason for partnering with agencies in 2026. 

Strategic Recommendations

One of the core strengths of an SEO consultant is their ability to offer clear, actionable recommendations. 

By offering clear and strategic direction, consultants help stakeholders understand the importance and urgency of SEO initiatives. This allows clients to allocate resources and prioritize tasks that will most impact their SEO performance.

Overcoming Internal Barriers

Internal barriers, such as a lack of communication between departments or conflicting priorities, can significantly slow the implementation of SEO strategies. SEO consultants can help break down these barriers. 

For example, here at Bruce Clay Inc., we put all of our clients and their teams (from different departments) through our SEO training. This ensures everyone understands SEO as a strategic business initiative. 

Another way consultants can help is by using some tricks of the trade. For instance, what if your IT department is not prioritizing changes to the site? Submit SEO changes as “bug” fixes and watch as they get pushed through faster.

Whether it’s coordinating between marketing and IT departments or aligning SEO goals with broader business objectives, consultants ensure that SEO initiatives receive the attention and resources they need for implementation.

Empowerment and Support

SEO consultants help empower clients with the knowledge and tools they need to implement changes. 

For example, we always provide examples where SEO recommendations are echoed by search engine guidelines so that stakeholders understand the gravity of the advice. This can lead to quicker implementation.  

8. Enhanced ROI

Want to get more from your SEO program? SEO consultants can get you a better return on your efforts. Seventy-six percent in the Sagefrog survey (linked earlier) said that outsourced support helped them meet business objectives.  

Measurable Results

SEO consultants focus on delivering measurable improvements in key SEO metrics such as organic traffic. They’ll establish clear goals and KPIs at the outset and use sophisticated analytics tools to track progress. 

This data-driven approach ensures that the impact of SEO efforts is quantifiable, allowing businesses to see the direct correlation between the consultant’s strategies and improved performance (and even revenue).

Long-Term Gains

SEO is not just about achieving short-term wins; it’s about building long-term growth. SEO consultants help you implement strategies that provide lasting benefits, such as creating high-quality content, optimizing site structure and earning authoritative backlinks. 

These efforts lead to enduring improvements in search engine rankings and organic traffic. Over time, the cumulative effect of these strategic SEO initiatives results in long-term gains. 

Related: How Do SEO Consultants Measure Success and ROI?

Final Thoughts

Collaboration between in-house teams and SEO consultants is becoming even more critical as SEO becomes harder and success in the search results becomes more difficult. 

A partnership with the right SEO consultant is critical for businesses that want to enhance their search engine visibility, traffic and overall business success.

Want to explore the benefits of an SEO partnership?

Reach Out Now to Book a Consultation!

Quick Solutions

FAQ: How Do I Choose the Best SEO Consultant for My Business in Today’s Market?

Choosing the right SEO consultant starts by identifying the team’s specific needs and the challenges you’re facing in your SEO program. 

Then you can establish clear objectives, whether it’s advanced training, improved visibility, more qualified leads, a technical audit — or some specific problem you need to overcome. 

Going into your search for an SEO vendor, consider finding a consultant who can offer a customized approach tailored to your industry and unique circumstances.

This is where the research part comes into play, With your wish list in tow, identify potential candidates and make a short list. 

As you are doing this, look for industry credentials, case studies and client testimonials that highlight their past achievements. Ask around to your trusted network, too. 

Additionally, you’ll want to explore their online presence — are they active contributors to the sector? What does their thought leadership say about them? 

This will help you better understand their approach and methodologies.

During the interview process, communication is key. In your initial talks, take the time to assess their approach to SEO problem-solving and how they create their strategies.  

This will help you evaluate their compatibility as well as their ability to convey complex concepts in an understandable way. 

After you’ve selected the right consultant for your needs, be sure to establish benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs).  

As time goes on, open communication creates a supportive environment where you can maintain momentum. 

12-Step Action Plan for Choosing the Best SEO Consultant

1. Define the primary goals and objectives of your SEO initiatives, and outline the specific challenges your business is currently facing in SEO.
2. Research potential consultants, focusing on their expertise and reputation.
3. During the process, ask around, read client testimonials, verify credentials and request references from past clients.
4. Explore their online presence, including published content and thought leadership.
5. Schedule initial consultations to discuss your goals and assess their approach — during this time you will evaluate their communication style and ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
6. Determine their familiarity with your industry and related competition, and discuss their SEO methodology.
7. Once you have chosen an SEO consultant, negotiate and finalize the terms of the engagement, including budget.
8. Begin the engagement with a kickoff meeting where you’ll set expectations, establish lines of communication, align on timelines and key performance indicators (KPIs).
9. Review the tools and technologies used in SEO and analytics, and ensure you understand their reporting practices. 
10. As the relationship forges on, monitor progress against established KPIs, provide regular feedback and be sure to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
11. Adapt strategies based on results to ensure continued success.
12. Record results and lessons learned to inform future decisions, then evaluate the overall impact post-engagement to assess the value delivered.

Bruce Clay is founder and president of Bruce Clay Inc., a global digital marketing firm providing search engine optimization, pay-per-click, social media marketing, SEO-friendly web architecture, and SEO tools and education. Connect with him on LinkedIn or through the BruceClay.com website.

See Bruce’s author page for links to connect on social media.