Hiring for SEO is tricky. One of the first questions that comes up is whether to go with a freelancer or an agency. The SEO freelancer vs agency debate isn’t new, but the dynamics you’re hiring into has changed.
Search is faster now. More complex. And it’s no longer just about Google. Some even say SEO now stands for “Search Everywhere Optimization.” That includes showing up in AI-generated results, on YouTube as a search engine, through voice search, and anywhere else your audience is actually looking.
So the question is: who should you trust to own that work?
An SEO freelancer? A full-service agency? Or… is there a better way?
Here’s what to consider.
SEO Freelancer vs Agency: What works, what doesn't
Criteria | SEO Freelancer | SEO Agency |
|---|---|---|
Cost | Lower upfront cost | Higher monthly retainer |
Control | High, direct communication | Lower, managed through an account lead |
Flexibility | Adaptable to your process | Follows their own process |
Expertise | Varies, depends on the individual | Typically broader team with multiple skill sets |
Scalability | Limited capacity | Easier to scale projects |
Accountability | Solely depends on one person | Shared across team |
Communication | Direct, faster | Can be slower or filtered |
Transparency | You see what they’re doing | Not always clear who’s doing what |
When an SEO Freelancer Might Work
Hiring a freelancer can be a smart move if you know exactly what you need and have time to manage.
You get direct access to the person doing the work. If they’re experienced, you’ll benefit from their flexibility and speed.
Startups doing small campaigns
Companies with an in-house marketer who just needs extra hands
Founders who want to stay closely involved in SEO strategy
But here’s the risk: a lot depends on one person. If they drop the ball, get sick, or take on too many clients… you’re stuck. That’s why SEO freelancers often have short tenures. Not always because they’re flaky, but because the working setup isn’t built for long-term retention.
Many business owners also make the mistake of treating SEO like it’s part-time work. That leads to poor results or burnout on both sides.
When an SEO Agency Makes Sense
Agencies are built to scale. You’ll often have access to a whole team: content writers, technical SEOs, link builders, account managers.
This structure works well when:
However, that scale comes at a cost.
Agencies typically charge $2,000 to $6,000/month, sometimes more, depending on scope. And while you’re paying for a team, you won’t always know who’s actually doing the work. If transparency and close collaboration matter to you, that setup might feel limiting.
Some agencies also lean heavily on templates. That’s fine for general SEO, but risky if you’re trying to stand out in a competitive niche.
What About Hiring In-House?
Maybe you’re thinking: why not just hire someone full-time and keep it all in-house?
It’s a fair thought. In theory, this gives you total control. You’ve got someone fully focused on your brand, right there in your team.
But in practice, in-house SEO hires come with their own set of hurdles.
First, there’s the cost.
The average salary for SEO roles in the US now ranges from $83K to $143K. And that’s before taxes, benefits, equipment, and overhead. For small and mid-sized companies, that’s a big upfront commitment.
Second, hiring takes time.
You won’t just snap your fingers and find the right person. You’ll spend weeks (or months) sourcing, screening, and interviewing.
And third, SEO is rarely a one-person job.
They might be great at content, but struggle with technical SEO. Or they might be brilliant at strategy, but need help with execution. That means you’ll still end up piecing together extra help, which puts you right back in that freelancer-agency loop.
So yes, in-house can work. But unless you’ve got the budget and bandwidth to build out a full SEO team, it’s not always the easiest path forward.
If you want a clearer benchmark, we created a 2025 checklist on what to actually look for in an SEO hire, including skills, rates, and red flags.
Where Freelancers and Agencies Fall Short
On the surface, freelancers and agencies can look more affordable. You skip the commitment of a full-time hire, and it feels faster to get someone in.
There are a lot of things you don’t see in the invoice.
These things add up.
But first, some context…
According to LinkedIn Talent Insights, the average tenure for SEO roles across the US, UK, and Australia is just 1.7 years.
That’s shorter than most marketing roles, and it’s a problem.
SEO isn’t a quick-win channel. It takes time to build. By the time you’ve gained momentum, the landscape has already shifted. So when someone leaves midstream, you’re left trying to catch up in a field that keeps evolving.
Why does this happen so often? SEO is still treated as a checkbox. Businesses bring in a part-timer or outsource to an agency, expecting magic. Without consistent strategy, progress slows down.
This is exactly where freelancers and agencies tend to fall short.
Freelancers give you control, but zero backup if things go wrong. Agencies give you a system, but not always someone who actually understands your brand.
And that’s why a lot of companies end up disappointed. You’re either managing someone who’s too junior… or paying a premium for packaged services that aren’t actually tailored to your goals.
That’s why your hiring model matters just as much as who you hire.
A Smarter Third Option: Offshore SEO Specialists
At LevelUp, we work with companies who are tired of hiring someone new every few months.
Our model is simple: we help you hire full-time offshore SEO experts from the Philippines, people who are already vetted, aligned with your goals, and supported through structured onboarding and retention systems.
You still get the control and transparency you’d have with a freelancer.
You also get the accountability and long-term reliability you expect from a great agency.
Here’s how it’s different:
We don’t send you 100 resumes.
We shortlist the top candidates based on your exact needs.
Our hires stay.
We drive 90%+ retention through onboarding and support.
We handle employment legally.
We’re a registered EOR in the Philippines.
No long-term contracts or upfront sourcing fees.
You only pay once you’re confident in the hire.
So if you’re caught between the low-risk, low-reward freelancer route, and the high-cost, hit-or-miss agency model…
Explore our offshore SEO hiring model or
