Hire SEO Freelancer VS In-House SEO VS SEO Agency in Malaysia?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become an essential part of any business that wants to establish an online presence in today’s digital world. However, many companies find it challenging to decide whether to hire an SEO freelancer, an in-house SEO executive, or an SEO agency in Malaysia. In this article, I will explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed decision and hopefully will know which option are the best according to your budget and requirements.

Note : Currently I am a Fulltime SEO In-House, an independent SEO freelancer and also a Freelancer in some of Marketing and SEO agency in Malaysia. My view are of my own and might be biased, hey this is a Freelance SEO website after all, but my perspectives are subjective. Please, please, please, do your own research to determine which option are the best for your business. All the options below have their own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring an SEO Freelancer in Malaysia

SEO freelancer is a self-employed individual who provides SEO services to clients on a project-by-project basis. Unlike an in-house SEO executive, an SEO freelancer does not work for a specific company or organization but instead offers their services to multiple clients. They are usually independent contractors who work remotely and have the flexibility to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

As an independent contractor, an SEO freelancer typically sets their own rates and works with clients on a project-by-project basis. They may work with clients for a short period, such as a few weeks or months, or on a more long-term basis. Freelancers may specialize in specific aspects of SEO, such as keyword research, content creation, link building, or technical SEO, or they may offer a full suite of SEO services.

The prominent advantage of hiring an SEO freelancer is that they can be a cost-effective option for small and medium-sized businesses with limited budgets. Freelancers typically have lower overhead costs than agencies and may be able to offer their services at a lower rate. Additionally, since freelancers are often self-employed SME or company does not have to pay their EPF contribution, taxes or other company benefits, they are responsible for their own expenses, such as taxes and equipment, which can also make their services more affordable.

However, one disadvantage of hiring an SEO freelancer is that they may have limited expertise or resources to fully optimized your SEO frameworks. One way to overcome this is to thoroughly check their credibility and expertise on SEO works, better yet, see their own website rank in the Google Malaysia SERP, after all, Action speaks louder than words right? A good SEO freelancer should have proven track record and portfolio and this is important to validate their reliability and justify their SEO Package’s price charges. Conduct an intensive interview between your company’s marketing team with the freelancer is also a good idea to start before hiring them.

Overall, hiring an SEO freelancer can be an excellent option for businesses with limited budgets or specific project needs. Freelancers can offer specialized expertise and a flexible approach to SEO services, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of this option and consider your business’s specific needs before making a decision.

Advantages of Hiring a Freelance SEO in Malaysia :

• • Cost-Effective : Hiring an SEO freelancer is usually more affordable than hiring an in-house SEO executive or an SEO agency. Freelancers often charge a lower rate than SEO agencies, making them a cost-effective option for small and medium-sized businesses.
  • Flexibility : SEO freelancers usually have a flexible schedule and can work on multiple projects simultaneously. They can also adjust their work schedule according to the client’s needs.
  • Personal Attention : Freelancers tend to have fewer clients, which means they can provide more personalized attention to each client.

Disadvantages of Hiring a Freelance SEO in Malaysia :

• • Limited Resources : Freelancers may not have the same resources as an SEO agency, such as access to premium SEO tools and a team.
  • Limited Availability : Since SEO freelancers work on multiple projects, their availability may be limited, making it difficult to get immediate assistance when needed.
  • Limited Expertise : SEO freelancers expertise levels are varied and need to be verified first, proven track record and portfolio are most important indicator for this.

In conclusion, hiring a Freelance SEO in Malaysia are the most cost-effective option for small or medium business (SME) who just started to build or setup their website. The practicality and ease of hiring with no string attached give more space and breathing area for SME in Malaysia to gauge the water in scene of digital marketing before committing their budget and plan forward with their SEO and marketing effort. However, choosing the right and experienced SEO freelance might be a challenge. In order to avoid hiring the wrong SEO Freelancer, make sure to conduct and intensive interview and verify their portfolio and credential before hiring them for your business.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring an In-House SEO Executive in Malaysia

An in-house SEO executive is a full-time employee of a company or organization who is responsible for handling all SEO-related tasks. This includes managing the company’s website, optimizing content, conducting keyword research, and implementing technical SEO strategies. In-house SEO executives work exclusively for the company in a Marketing Department, they will work closely with the Graphic, Copywriter, Sales and Communication personnel to develop and implement SEO strategies. They also collaborate with web developers, content creators, and other professionals to ensure that the website is optimized for search engines and provides a positive user experience.

One advantage of hiring an in-house SEO executive is that they provide personalized attention to the company’s SEO needs. Since they work exclusively for the company, they have an in-depth understanding of the company’s brand and goals, and can tailor their SEO strategies to meet these specific needs. In-house SEO executives can also provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring that the company’s SEO strategies are up-to-date and effective.

However, one disadvantage of hiring an in-house SEO executive is that it can be a more expensive option than hiring an SEO freelancer or agency. In-house SEO executives require a salary, benefits, and other expenses, which can be a significant investment for some companies. Additionally, since they work exclusively for the company, their availability may be limited, particularly if they are working on multiple projects or have other responsibilities.

Overall, hiring an in-house SEO executive can be an excellent option for companies with a significant budget and a high volume of SEO-related tasks. In-house SEO executives provide personalized attention and ongoing support, ensuring that the company’s SEO strategies are effective and up-to-date. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of this option and consider the company’s specific needs before making a decision.

Advantages of Hiring an In-House SEO Executive in Malaysia :

• • Expertise : An in-house SEO executive may has the necessary expertise to handle all SEO-related tasks.
  • Dedicated : As an in-house SEO executive, they are more dedicated to your company’s SEO needs and can provide personalized attention.
  • Access to Company Resources : An in-house SEO executive has access to all the company’s resources, including premium SEO tools and data.

Disadvantages of Hiring an In-House SEO Executive in Malaysia :

• • Higher Cost : Hiring an in-house SEO executive is usually more expensive than hiring an SEO freelancer or an SEO agency.
  • Limited Expertise : Depending on experience level and position, an in-house SEO executive may have limited expertise compared to a Freelance SEO Specialist or SEO agency that has a team of experts.
  • Limited Perspective : An in-house SEO executive may have a limited perspective since they only work for one company.

In conclusion, hiring a In-House SEO Executive in Malaysia are the best option for a Bigger Company with a deep pocket and enormous SEO related tasks. The impact and reliability of an in-house SEO executive which are readily available during their tenure in the company is great, but in term of expertise and practicality, an in-house SEO executive are maybe not a wise choice for a small and medium company to bear in Malaysia. The biggest concern when hiring an in-house SEO is the cost and the value they bring for the business owner are not really significant. That is why most SME in Malaysia are more keen in hiring SEO freelancer or even SEO agency service to cater the SEO related task for them. But this might be a biased and subjective perspective, as a business owner, one should be able to weight in the Pros and Cons before making any decision which will affect the company’s growth in their field.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring an SEO Agency in Malaysia

An SEO agency is a professional organization that specializes in providing comprehensive search engine optimization (SEO) services to a diverse client base. Typically, these agencies are staffed with experienced and skilled professionals who possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in various aspects of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, content marketing, and analytics.

SEO agencies provide a broad range of services to help their clients improve their online visibility, attract organic traffic, and boost their search engine rankings. They work closely with clients to understand their business goals, target audience, and online marketing strategies to develop customized SEO solutions that deliver measurable results.

SEO agencies use a variety of tools and techniques to optimize their clients’ websites for search engines, including keyword analysis, competitive research, technical SEO audits, and link building. They also offer ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that their clients’ websites remain optimized and up-to-date with the latest search engine algorithms and best practices.

SEO agencies typically offer a range of pricing models, including monthly retainer fees, project-based fees, and performance-based fees. The cost of SEO services can vary widely depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the website, the competitiveness of the industry, and the scope of the project.

Overall, working with an SEO agency can provide many benefits for businesses looking to improve their online visibility and increase their organic search engine rankings. With their extensive knowledge and expertise in SEO, agencies can help businesses achieve their marketing goals, reach their target audience, and ultimately drive more traffic and revenue to their websites.

Advantages of Hiring an SEO Agency in Malaysia :

• • Expertise : An SEO agency has a team of experts with specialized skills and expertise in different aspects of SEO.
  • Access to Premium SEO Tools : An SEO agency has access to premium SEO tools that may not be available to an individual freelancer or an in-house SEO executive.
  • Scalability : An SEO agency can scale its services according to the client’s needs, making it an excellent option for businesses with fluctuating SEO needs.lized attention to each client.

Disadvantages of Hiring an SEO Agency in Malaysia :

• • Cost : Hiring an SEO agency is usually more expensive than hiring an SEO freelancer or an in-house SEO executive.s and a team.
  • Limited Personal Attention : An SEO agency may have multiple clients, which may limit the amount of personal attention each client receives.get immediate assistance when needed.
  • Communication : Communication with an SEO agency may be challenging since multiple people may handle different aspects of the project.

In conclusion, hiring an SEO Agency in Malaysia may be the best option for companies that require specialized expertise and access to premium SEO tools with a very deep pocket. An SEO agency have a wide expertise and talents that can work on your website’s growth with specialized frameworks. Their access to premium and expensive SEO tools are also an asset which will benefits the website’s optimization process. The downside for hiring a SEO agency are the cost. Most good SEO agency in Malaysia charges up to RM 4,000 to RM10K per month for a package, although there’s also a bunch of other budget-friendly agencies available in the market. I am also currently worked as a SEO freelance in several SEO agency and as far as I know, most budget-friendly agencies are only hiring freelancers while keeping some of the job fees to them. Hey, it’s Malaysia darul Komisen, whoops!