There are many reasons why businesses use digital marketing outsourcing. It can be a cost-effective way to get expert help with your online presence, and frees up time for you to focus on other areas of your business. But it’s not always easy to find the right outsourcing partner, or to know how much it will cost.
In this article, we’ll compare the costs, options and best methods for outsourcing digital marketing. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to improve your existing digital marketing setup, we hope this post will give you some useful insights. Thanks for reading!
What is digital marketing outsourcing and why would you do it?
Digital marketing outsourcing is a great option for businesses who are looking to market their product or service to the digital world, but don’t have the necessary skills and expertise in-house.
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Outsourcing gives you access to a wide range of experts with vast knowledge in website design, content creation, SEO and more – all of which are key ingredients for successful digital marketing campaigns.
It’s also a great way to save time and money, as hiring an agency or freelancer means you don’t need to invest in employment costs such as benefits, holiday entitlement and training.
When done correctly outsourcing can help your business take its digital presence up a few levels without the hassle of doing it yourself.
The costs of digital marketing outsourcing – what to expect to pay
Outsourcing digital marketing tasks to a third party can be an attractive option for businesses that are crunched for time or simply lack the expertise to execute the tasks themselves. But, there is always the question of how much does it cost?
Digital marketing costs vary widely depending on what specifically you need help with and who you hire for service fulfilment.
Platform-specific social media or CRM experts may come with a higher price tag than do generalists, for example. But no matter who you choose, it’s important to have a budget in mind when shopping around.
Before committing, consider both long-term and short-term costs, and compare prices to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
Average cost of digital marketing outsourcing
When shopping for a digital marketing partner, there are a few different types of specialists to consider. Knowing which one is right for your business depends on the type of campaign and what you’re aiming to achieve.
For example, if you’re looking to launch a new website or app, you may need help from web developers and UX/UI designers. Alternatively, if you’re looking for more visibility in the search engine results pages (SERPs) then you may need help from SEO consultants.
| Type of digital marketing outsourcing | Hourly cost | Project cost |
|---|---|---|
| Social media expert | $10-$30 per hour | $500-$5,000 per campaign |
| SEO specialist | $60-$150 per hour | $1000-$10,000 for a full campaign |
| Content marketer | $50-$125 per hour | $2,000-$5,000 for an entire project |
| Web developer | $35-$80 per hour | Upwards of $4000 for a complete website |
| Mobile app developer | $50 to $250 per hour | Upwards of $50,000 for a full project |
| Conversion rate specialist | $60-$150 per hour | $500-$5,000 for a complete campaign |
| PPC and paid advertising specialist | $50-$150 per hour | $1,000-$10,000 for a complete campaign |
Best outsourcing methods for digital marketing
When it comes to outsourcing your digital marketing efforts, there are several options available. Here are some of the most popular approaches:
Freelance professionals
Hiring an individual freelancer is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to get started with outsourcing. Freelancers typically offer competitive rates that are much cheaper than full-service agencies, and you’ll have the flexibility of hiring someone for a specific project or task.
Agency partnerships
Partnerships with agencies allow you access to a full suite of digital marketing services under one roof. From website design, content creation and social media marketing to SEO, PPC and analytics, agencies can provide a comprehensive solution for your business.
Internal outsourcing
If you have the budget to hire internal staff or consultants with the specific skills required, this can be an effective way of building up your own in-house team. However, it’s important to ensure you have the right processes and management in place to oversee the team’s activities.
The pros and cons of using an overseas or offshore outsourcing provider
Outsourcing your digital marketing tasks to overseas or offshore providers can be a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to minimize overhead costs.
The benefits of outsourcing to an overseas provider include access to low-cost labour, flexibility in terms of working hours and the potential for greater scalability as your business grows.
However, you should also consider the drawbacks such as language and cultural barriers, time zone differences and communication issues.
How to outsource digital marketing – 10-step process
How to outsource digital marketing
- Establish your goals and objectives
Before you start looking for the right supplier, you need to define your digital marketing goals and objectives. This will help you find the ideal provider who can meet your needs.
- Research suppliers
Take some time to research suppliers in order to identify those who are most suitable to your needs.
- Create an RFP
Once you’ve identified some potential suppliers, create an RFP (Request for Proposal) so that you can get detailed information about the services they offer and their pricing structures.
- Analyse quotes
Compare quotes from each supplier in order to determine which one provides the best value for money.
- Negotiate terms
Once you’ve identified a supplier, it’s important to negotiate terms and conditions of the agreement with them in order to ensure all parties involved are on the same page.
- Check references
Look into the references provided by each supplier to get an insight into their past work. This can help you make an informed decision about the right supplier for you.
- Sign a contract
Once you’ve identified a suitable candidate and negotiated terms, it’s time to sign a contract that outlines all of the responsibilities each party has to one another.
- Monitor and evaluate
Monitor the performance of each supplier and regularly evaluate their work. This will help you ensure that objectives are being met and that the quality of services is up to standard.
- Communication
Set up a communication channel with your supplier, so that there is a clear line of dialogue between both parties which can be accessed quickly when needed.
- Provide feedback
Make sure you provide feedback with each stage of the project to ensure expectations are being met and changes can be made if necessary. This will help make sure your digital marketing is successful.
The benefits of digital marketing outsourcing – freeing up your time, saving money and more
Outsourcing digital marketing can be incredibly beneficial for businesses. It’s no secret that the digital landscape is constantly changing, with new trends and strategies emerging all the time – this could be overwhelming if you don’t have the resources or manpower internally.
By outsourcing your digital marketing services to a trusted external partner, you’ll free up those vital internal resources and allow yourself to focus on the other core aspects of your business, while still reaching potential customers and maintaining a strong online presence.
Additionally, experienced professionals will ensure your campaigns are tailored efficiently based on well-researched data and objectives; so as well as saving yourself some invaluable time, it also gives you peace of mind that only proven methods are being used.
All in all, outsourcing your digital marketing needs makes sense for any business looking to save time and money.
The risks of digital marketing outsourcing – from data security to quality control
Digital marketing outsourcing provides companies with the opportunity to increase and expand their reach in the online world, but that does not come without its risk.
With data security being a major concern of anyone holding confidential information, there’s a huge chance of data leaking out if an insecure system is in place.
Furthermore, quality control also needs to be taken into consideration when considering digital marketing outsourcing. The quality cannot be compromised whether it’s the content being produced or the services they offer; they must both live up to what was originally agreed.
To ensure this it will take some research on behalf of the company utilising outside sources for their marketing structure to ensure it is safe and reliable for successful results.
Closing thoughts
Digital marketing outsourcing is an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to save time, money and put their trust in experts to manage their marketing efforts.
While there are certainly risks associated with digital marketing outsourcing, such as data security and quality control, the pros far outweigh the cons when the right supplier is chosen.
Finding the best supplier involves taking into account costs, reviews, assessments of needs and more.
With successful digital marketing outsourcing, businesses can free up valuable resources and maximise their reach, allowing them to focus on other operations within the business.
Ultimately, for businesses seeking help with all levels of digital marketing, outsourcing is often a smart, cost-effective choice.
FAQ
By outsourcing your digital marketing services to a trusted external partner, you’ll free up those vital internal resources and allow yourself to focus on the other core aspects of your business, while still reaching potential customers and maintaining a strong online presence. Additionally, experienced professionals will ensure your campaigns are tailored efficiently based on well-researched data and objectives; so as well as saving yourself some invaluable time, it also gives you peace of mind that only proven methods are being used.
With data security being a major concern of anyone holding confidential information, there’s a huge chance of data leaking out if an insecure system is in place. Furthermore, quality control also needs to be taken into consideration when considering digital marketing outsourcing. The quality cannot be compromised whether it’s the content being produced or the services they offer; they must both live up to what was originally agreed.
Finding the best supplier involves taking into account costs, reviews, assessments of needs and more. It is also important to do thorough research on the potential suppliers before engaging with them. This will ensure that you are getting a reliable and secure service while they can meet all your digital marketing needs. Additionally, a successful business relationship can only be established when there is clear communication and expectations are closely aligned.
Digital marketing outsourcing is an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to save time, money and put their trust in experts to manage their marketing efforts. Ultimately, for businesses seeking help with all levels of digital marketing, outsourcing is often a smart, cost-effective choice. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons that come with digital marketing outsourcing before making a decision. Taking into consideration costs, data security and quality control are just some factors you should consider.
Having a clear structure and goal in place is essential for successful digital marketing outsourcing. This ensures that there is no misunderstanding of the expected outcomes, keeping everyone on the same page throughout the process. Additionally, it’s important to create an open platform of communication between all parties.
You can start by researching potential suppliers and assessing their credentials, services and cost structure. After that, it’s important to communicate your needs and objectives clearly so they are aware of what you want to achieve. Once both parties have established an agreement on the tasks, timeline and budget for the project, work can begin. Throughout the process, it is also essential to have frequent and clear communication between both parties to ensure that everything is going according to the plan. Lastly, once the project is completed, evaluate its success rate in order to ascertain if any improvements should be made for future projects. This will help you refine your outsourcing strategy in the future.
The cost of outsourcing digital marketing services will depend on the specific requirements you have and your budget. Each supplier will offer different packages that vary based on the scope and complexity of the tasks required. It is important to research potential suppliers and assess their credentials, services, and cost structure before making a decision. Additionally, remember to factor in additional costs such as training and fees for any additional services. All these factors should be taken into account when deciding on how much to spend on outsourcing digital marketing services.