DIY vs Agency SEO: What’s Best for Small Business Owners?
As a small business owner, you know SEO is important—but should you do it yourself or hire a pro? The decision isn’t always straightforward. While DIY SEO seems more affordable on the surface, it can also be time-consuming and ineffective if you don’t know what you're doing.
On the flip side, hiring an agency comes with costs—but also with expertise, consistency, and measurable results. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each option to help you choose the best path for your business and budget.
Option 1: DIY SEO for Small Businesses
Doing your own SEO can be appealing, especially if you're on a tight budget. There are plenty of free tools, YouTube tutorials, and blog posts that explain the basics. If you’re willing to put in the time, it’s possible to make real progress without hiring help.
Pros of DIY SEO:
Cons of DIY SEO:
DIY SEO works best for hands-on business owners who enjoy tech and marketing—and have the time to stay consistent.
Option 2: Hiring an SEO Agency
An SEO agency brings expertise, experience, and strategy to the table. Instead of guessing what might work, you’re getting proven methods backed by real-world results. It can cost more, but it frees you up to focus on running your business.
Pros of Hiring an SEO Agency:
Cons of Hiring an Agency:
Hiring an agency is ideal for business owners who are busy, want real growth, and prefer professionals to manage the details.
How to Decide: Ask Yourself These 5 Questions
1. Do you have more time or more money?
If you’re just starting out and cash is tight, you might choose to learn and implement basic SEO on your own. If time is limited and you’re already wearing 12 hats, hiring help could be a better use of resources.
2. Are you comfortable with tech and tools?
DIY SEO requires you to manage plugins, website code, meta data, image optimization, and more. If that feels overwhelming, don’t risk it—hand it off.
3. Do you need fast results or long-term learning?
Agencies can move faster and apply years of experience from the start. DIY takes time to learn and even more time to execute well.
4. What’s your long-term plan?
If you’re building an online-first business or plan to compete in a tough market, professional SEO will eventually be essential. DIY may only take you so far.
5. Are you tracking ROI?
If you're already paying someone and not getting results, it may be time to switch strategies—whether that means trying it yourself or hiring a better agency.
The Hybrid Model: A Smart Middle Ground
Some small businesses succeed with a hybrid SEO model. That means doing basic tasks in-house—like posting blogs or optimizing titles—while hiring an agency for more technical or advanced work like link-building or local citations.
You stay in control while still getting expert support where it matters most. This keeps your costs low but your quality high.
At Orbital Marketing Agency, We Do SEO Differently
We specialize in affordable SEO that’s built for small businesses. Whether you want us to do it all or just handle the parts you don’t have time for, we create plans that fit your budget and your goals.
Still Deciding Between DIY and Professional SEO Help?
Let us show you what’s possible. Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration to see how we can help you attract more traffic and turn visitors into customers—without wasting time or money.
On the flip side, hiring an agency comes with costs—but also with expertise, consistency, and measurable results. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each option to help you choose the best path for your business and budget.
Option 1: DIY SEO for Small Businesses
Doing your own SEO can be appealing, especially if you're on a tight budget. There are plenty of free tools, YouTube tutorials, and blog posts that explain the basics. If you’re willing to put in the time, it’s possible to make real progress without hiring help.
Pros of DIY SEO:
- Lower upfront cost: You can start with free tools like Google Search Console and Google Business Profile.
- Greater control: You’ll learn exactly what’s being done and why.
- Faster testing: You can make updates to your website anytime without waiting for approval.
Cons of DIY SEO:
- Time intensive: SEO isn’t a one-time task. It requires regular updates, research, and monitoring.
- Learning curve: Algorithms, ranking factors, and best practices change frequently.
- Risk of mistakes: Keyword stuffing, poor link building, or duplicate content can hurt your rankings more than help.
DIY SEO works best for hands-on business owners who enjoy tech and marketing—and have the time to stay consistent.
Option 2: Hiring an SEO Agency
An SEO agency brings expertise, experience, and strategy to the table. Instead of guessing what might work, you’re getting proven methods backed by real-world results. It can cost more, but it frees you up to focus on running your business.
Pros of Hiring an SEO Agency:
- Expert strategy: Agencies know what Google wants—and how to build a plan around it.
- Faster results: An agency can prioritize quick wins like fixing technical issues and optimizing your Google listing.
- Less stress: You don’t need to stay on top of algorithm updates or keyword trends.
- Scalable services: As your business grows, your SEO strategy can grow too.
Cons of Hiring an Agency:
- Cost: Prices can range from $500/month to several thousand, depending on your needs and provider.
- Quality varies: Some agencies overpromise and underdeliver. It’s crucial to vet them carefully.
- Less control: You’re trusting someone else to handle a big piece of your online presence.
Hiring an agency is ideal for business owners who are busy, want real growth, and prefer professionals to manage the details.
How to Decide: Ask Yourself These 5 Questions
1. Do you have more time or more money?
If you’re just starting out and cash is tight, you might choose to learn and implement basic SEO on your own. If time is limited and you’re already wearing 12 hats, hiring help could be a better use of resources.
2. Are you comfortable with tech and tools?
DIY SEO requires you to manage plugins, website code, meta data, image optimization, and more. If that feels overwhelming, don’t risk it—hand it off.
3. Do you need fast results or long-term learning?
Agencies can move faster and apply years of experience from the start. DIY takes time to learn and even more time to execute well.
4. What’s your long-term plan?
If you’re building an online-first business or plan to compete in a tough market, professional SEO will eventually be essential. DIY may only take you so far.
5. Are you tracking ROI?
If you're already paying someone and not getting results, it may be time to switch strategies—whether that means trying it yourself or hiring a better agency.
The Hybrid Model: A Smart Middle Ground
Some small businesses succeed with a hybrid SEO model. That means doing basic tasks in-house—like posting blogs or optimizing titles—while hiring an agency for more technical or advanced work like link-building or local citations.
You stay in control while still getting expert support where it matters most. This keeps your costs low but your quality high.
At Orbital Marketing Agency, We Do SEO Differently
We specialize in affordable SEO that’s built for small businesses. Whether you want us to do it all or just handle the parts you don’t have time for, we create plans that fit your budget and your goals.
- Local SEO and map rankings
- On-page optimization and mobile readiness
- Blog content that drives traffic
- Transparent reporting—no mystery, no fluff
Still Deciding Between DIY and Professional SEO Help?
Let us show you what’s possible. Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration to see how we can help you attract more traffic and turn visitors into customers—without wasting time or money.