Honest comparison
Local SEO company, agency or freelancer: which should you hire?
I’m Afsheen, and I’m a freelancer, so I have a side. Here is the fair version: what each option gets you, what it costs you in other ways, and when I am not the right choice.
In short
Should I hire a local SEO company or a freelancer?
For a single local business, a freelancer is often the better fit: you deal with the person doing the work and there is less overhead. An agency can suit larger or multi-location businesses that need a team, several channels or fast scaling. Doing it yourself works if you have the time to keep a profile active.
Side by side
Freelancer, agency or doing it yourself
A general guide. Every provider differs, so check these points with whoever you are considering.
| Freelancer (me) | Local SEO agency | Doing it yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | The person you speak to | A team, often with an account manager in between | You |
| Cost | My plans run £105 to £279 a month, with a £349 one-off start | Often higher, as the price covers a team and overheads | Free, apart from your time and any tools |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Often a minimum term, so check | None |
| Reporting | Calls and enquiries, in plain English | Varies, so ask for a sample report | Whatever you set up |
| Best for | One business or a few nearby locations | Many locations or several marketing channels at once | Simple profiles and owners with time |
| Watch out for | One person means limited capacity, so ask who covers holidays | Hand-offs between sales and the team doing the work | Profiles drift when work gets busy |
Be fair to everyone
When a local SEO agency is the better choice
If you have many locations, need design, ads and content handled alongside local SEO, or want a team covering the work when one person is away, an agency is built for that. A freelancer is not.
When a freelancer is the better choice
If you run one business or a few nearby locations, want direct contact, month-to-month terms and a clear scope, a freelancer usually gives you more attention for the money.
When doing it yourself is enough
The basics cost nothing. Claim your profile, fill in every field, add real photos and ask happy customers for reviews. My Google Business Profile checklist shows the order I would do it in.
Before you decide
Questions to ask anyone you are thinking of hiring
- Can I see a client result I can check for myself?
- Who will actually do the work?
- What exactly is included each month?
- How and how often will you report, and can I see a sample?
- How long is the contract, and how do I leave?
- Do you promise rankings? (If so, be careful. Nobody controls Google’s results.)
Questions
Questions people ask
Is a local SEO company worth it for a small business?
It can be, if you need a team, several marketing channels or many locations covered at once. For one business serving one area, you may get the same results for less from a freelancer. Whichever you choose, ask for a clear written scope and a sample report first.
How much does local SEO cost?
It depends on the work and how competitive your area is. My launch prices start at £349 one-off for a website, content and full setup, then £105 to £279 a month for ongoing work. Other providers set their own prices, so ask each for a written scope.
Are you a company or an agency?
No. I am a solo freelancer. I do the work myself, with no team and no office. That keeps costs lower and means you always speak to the person doing the work, but it also means my capacity is limited.
Can a freelancer handle more than one location?
Yes, for a few nearby locations or a single business with several service areas. If you run many locations across a wide area, an agency with a team may suit you better, and I will tell you if that is the case.
Can I switch from an agency to a freelancer?
Yes. Your Google Business Profile belongs to you, so check that you are an owner on it before changing anyone’s access. I can review what your current provider has done as part of the free audit.
Not sure which route suits you?
Send me your business name and website. My free audit will show you what needs doing, and I will tell you plainly whether I am the right person for it.