In-house vs Agency SEO: A Guide for Young SEO Professionals
Hello, aspiring SEO professionals! If you're reading this, you're likely at a crossroads, wondering whether to dive into an in-house SEO role or join the fast-paced world of an SEO agency. Having navigated both terrains, from the bustling e-commerce scene in London to a dynamic SEO agency in Bucharest, I'm here to share some insights. And whatever happens, I am here to convince you that being an SEO is the best.
Why in-house SEO expands your business knowledge
Being Part of the Business
When you're an in-house SEO specialist, you're not just a cog in the machine — you're a vital part of the business ecosystem. During my time in London's e-commerce sector, I was more than just the "SEO person"; I was involved in strategic planning meetings, quarterly reviews, UX decisions and even had a say in product launches. This level of integration offers a 360-degree view of how a business operates and how SEO fits into the bigger picture.
Learning from Multiple Departments
Being in the middle of the action, you get to collaborate with various departments. You’re not confined to your SEO bubble, which is great, as SEO doesn’t exist in a vacuum and impacts and is impacted by the other departments and decisions. In-house you’ll find yourself coordinating with marketing for content strategies, discussing UX with the design team, understanding sales funnels from CEO meetings and even have a say in the newsletter content. Each interaction is a lesson in how different departments contribute to the company's SEO and overall success.
Advantages for Young Professionals
For young professionals entering the SEO world, an in-house role can be a treasure trove of learning opportunities. Beyond SEO, you'll gain insights into project management, budgeting, and even corporate communication. By liaising with different departments, you’ll learn to listen, negotiate, convince, and adapt. These skills are transferable and valuable, no matter where your career takes you. Moreover, being a part of a single organisation for an extended period allows you to understand how a business thrives and what decisions are taken when things aren’t going that great.
In-house SEO Challenges
While in-house SEO roles offer a broad learning spectrum, they come with their own set of challenges. For instance, you might find yourself limited to the SEO challenges specific to the type of site you are working on. An e-commerce site will have different issues than a services site. This can be a double-edged sword, offering deep specialisation but risking a narrow field of experience. This is neither a good nor a bad thing - it’s a challenge that you need to know so you can accept it or change your industry often. By being specialised, you can become the SEO expert for your niche, carving out a reputation as the go-to person for specific problems. This can lead to career advancement within your organisation or even make you a sought-after consultant in your particular area of expertise. However, if you're someone who thrives on variety and wants to tackle a wide range of SEO challenges, you might find this limiting. In such cases, either seeking cross-departmental projects or considering a switch to an agency role could be beneficial for broadening your skill set.
Why Agency SEO is a Speedy Learning Curve
The Dynamic Nature of Agencies
Starting as an SEO professional at an agency is like stepping into a high-speed, ever-changing landscape. The pace is not just fast; it's exhilarating. I've found that agencies are like a fast-track course for SEO professionals. You're not just working on one client or project; you're juggling multiple, each belonging to a different industry with its unique set of challenges and opportunities.
Exposure to Diverse SEO Challenges
The beauty of working in an agency is the sheer diversity of SEO challenges you'll encounter. One day you could be solving a complex technical issue for an e-commerce client, and another day you might be crafting a content strategy for a B2B service provider. This variety significantly accelerates your learning curve. You'll gain a wealth of experience in a short period, making you a versatile SEO professional.
Advantages for Young Professionals
For aspiring SEO professionals who want to rapidly acquire a diverse set of skills, working at an agency serves as an incredibly rich environment for career development. Not only will you gain practical experience with cutting-edge SEO tools, you'll also have the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with industry veterans. These seasoned experts can provide a breadth of knowledge that is invaluable for someone early in their career.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
While agency life offers a fast-paced learning environment and exposure to a variety of industries, it comes with its own set of unique challenges. One such challenge is the difficulty in becoming a specialised expert in a single industry. Given the diverse client base, you're often switching gears, making it hard to delve deeply into any particular sector.
Another challenge is the lack of deep involvement in a client's day-to-day operations. Unlike in-house roles where you're an integral part of the business, agency work often keeps you at arm's length from the client's internal processes. This can sometimes limit your understanding of the client's unique needs, challenges, and opportunities, making it more challenging to craft highly tailored SEO strategies.
By being aware of these challenges and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, you can make the most of the rich learning environment that an agency offers.