Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Pros and Cons of In-House SEO

What exactly is in-house SEO? When SEO (search engine optimization) techniques are handled within a specific company, by either one person or a team of people, this is considered "in-house." In-house SEO is different from agency SEO, where businesses hire an outside agency to handle all of the Internet marketing needs of the company. Since SEO is an important aspect of Internet marketing, those involved need to understand how to best boost website visibility.
In-house SEO has both its benefits and drawbacks. This is why it is important to look at some of the major pros and cons of in-house SEO:
Let's start with the pros of using an in-house SEO for your Internet marketing. The first and most obvious is that an in-house SEO is fully dedicated to your company. All of their time is spent working to benefit your business and to improve your online visibility. When you have an in-house SEO, they are there to work on your SEO and page rank, without other client commitments to worry about. This is perhaps the biggest benefit to an in-house SEO - the dedication they are able to provide.
Another benefit to using an in-house SEO expert is that they know your business. They already have an extensive knowledge of your company and know exactly what you are looking to achieve. This can be beneficial as it can help to save the company time. In-house SEO experts don't just save time, they can also help to save the company money. Without paying money out to an agency for their services, you will be saving money in the short-term and will be training a member of the company's staff to develop SEO related skills.
Now to look at some of the cons that can be attributed to relying on in-house SEO. One of the biggest drawbacks of using an in-house SEO expert is that, well, they are the only ones working on your SEO marketing. This can be limiting when it comes to the impact of the work done. Sometimes, it can be more effective to have multiple views and opinions - including a perspective that isn't so connected to the company. While having extensive knowledge of a company is a huge asset, it can also be a negative if it doesn't allow someone to have enough distance to effectively problem solve.
Another disadvantage of using an in-house SEO expert is that they may not actually be an expert in all of the areas that you require. If they are strong at utilizing traditional forms of SEO, but are lacking in social media skills, then they may not be able to do everything that the company needs. This can lead to hiring outside consultants, which can actually cost the company more money - money that the company 'saved' by hiring an in-house SEO. It can be difficult to find someone who is an expert in all of the areas of Internet marketing that you need, which is a definite drawback to using in-house SEO. Lastly, it may be difficult to keep in-house employees for long periods of time as they may choose to go into business for themselves or even start to work for one of your competitors as an SEO expert.
SEO is essential for your website. Now that you know the pros and cons of using in-house SEO, you can better determine whether or not this is the right option for your company and its current needs. Internet marketing has become an essential part of online visibility - so make an informed decision about your SEO strategy.
Dvir Weininger works as an SEO Expert for Toronto's CMS Buffet for many years and understands what your website needs to be successful. It is his experience in the field that allows him to utilize his knowledge of SEO.

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