SEO Content Writing Agency vs. Freelancers: Which Is Best?
Want to climb higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) but don't have the time or expertise? Are you struggling to create content for your website and not sure where to start? As a business owner, you have two options: team up with an SEO content writing agency or hire a freelance copywriter. Weighing the pros and cons of each can help you figure out the best path for growing your business.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we've been helping businesses make their mark in the digital world and boost sales since 2007. Fun fact: we started as a content writing service before expanding into full-fledged SEO, so we know exactly what works when it comes to building your online presence and credibility.
In this blog, we'll discuss the key differences between working with an SEO agency and hiring a freelance writer. Stick around until the end, as we'll go over the ideal situations for partnering with a freelancer and a reputable SEO company. Let's get started!
5 Key Differences Between an SEO Content Writing Agency and a Freelance Writer
Are you struggling to decide between hiring SEO writing services or working with a freelance writer? Here's a breakdown of the key differences to help you make the best choice:
Quality of SEO Content
Trying to save a few bucks, many business owners turn to freelance writers, expecting the same level of SEO content they'd get from an agency. This approach can backfire, as it can hurt credibility, harm search engine rankings, and even cost more in the long run. Here's why:
Freelance Writers Often Excel at Generalized Writing
No matter how skilled a freelance writer is, they usually specialize in just one industry. If you're managing multiple websites or working with clients across different fields, you'd likely need to hire several writers instead of just one.
Google evaluates content based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), which is a set of guidelines designed to ensure users get reliable, high-quality information. What does this mean for your website?
Well, if your content lacks industry-specific expertise, it could actually hurt your SEO rather than help it. This can make it harder for your site to rank well in search results.
That's where Sapphire SEO Solutions comes in. Our team includes expert writers across a wide range of industries, including medical, legal, construction, finance, real estate, dental, and even locksmith services.
Whether you need in-depth, authoritative SEO content writing services or engaging, reader-friendly copy, we make sure that every piece aligns with Google's E-E-A-T standards, helping your business stand out and rank higher in search results.
Freelance Writers May Outsource Content
Some freelancers run their own mini content writing businesses. They take on clients based on their online reputation, then outsource the work to low-paid writers. The problem? Many of these writers aren't fluent in English, which can lead to poorly written, low-quality content that hurts your website's credibility and SEO.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we do things differently. Our in-house, native English-speaking SEO writers don't just write articles. They craft compelling, informative, and persuasive content that resonates with your target audience. We understand the nuances of language, ensuring every piece we create is engaging, impactful, and optimized for search engines.
Freelance Writers May Deliver Poor Quality
Not all freelancers deliver poor-quality work, but some do. When businesses prioritize saving money over hiring experienced writers, they often end up with content full of grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. This can leave a bad impression on readers, making them more likely to choose your competitor instead.
Low-quality content also leads to higher bounce rates, which can adversely impact your SEO. When visitors quickly leave your site, search engines take it as a sign that your content isn't valuable or trustworthy, pushing your rankings down and sending traffic elsewhere.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we take quality seriously. Every client gets a dedicated account manager to ensure smooth communication between writers and businesses. Once the content is written, our in-house editors carefully review it, making sure every piece is polished, professional, and optimized for both readers and search engines.
SEO Content Scalability
Business owners should always think about scalability when choosing between an SEO content writing agency and a freelance writer. If you plan to expand your operations or invest more in content marketing, you'll want the flexibility to publish high-quality content consistently and frequently.
An SEO Writing Agency Can Accommodate Large Orders
Relying on a single freelance writer might not cut it if you want to build a strong, positive online presence for your brand. Hiring multiple writers could help, but it also comes with challenges, such as different writing styles, inconsistent tone, and the added hassle of managing them all while running your business.
That's where a reputable SEO writing agency makes a difference. At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we have a team of SEO-certified writers ready to handle large content orders whenever you need them.
Plus, we follow strict style guidelines to ensure consistency across all your content, ensuring that every order aligns perfectly with your brand's voice and messaging.
An SEO Writing Agency May Be an Affordable Choice
Scaling content creation for your website can get pricey if you're hiring multiple writers. Not only will you need to pay for blogs, product descriptions, and landing pages, but you'll also have to cover the cost of editors to ensure everything meets a high standard. This can quickly add up and put a strain on your marketing budget.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we offer a flat rate for all our services, whether you're ordering a single article or having your entire website content rewritten. You'll get authoritative, engaging content that speaks to your audience, plus error-free writing that's carefully reviewed by our skilled in-house editors.
We don't stop there. With every order, we also provide keyword research to make sure your content covers important search terms relevant to your industry, boosting both SEO and audience engagement.
SEO Services
Content writing isn't just about crafting articles for your target audience. It's also about making sure that content is optimized for search engines. That means paying extra attention to a lot of SEO elements. This is a crucial factor for business owners to consider when deciding between working with an SEO content writing agency or hiring freelance writers.
Freelancers Cannot Create an Effective SEO Strategy
If you have an SEO team already working on improving your website's various SEO elements, then teaming up with a freelance writer could be a good fit.
However, relying on just one freelancer might not be the best choice if you're also looking for help with the SEO side of things.
SEO covers a wide range of elements. Someone who's great at keyword research might not be as skilled with on-page SEO, and someone who specializes in local SEO may not have the expertise needed for technical SEO.
Relying on just one freelancer can end up compromising key areas of your website's SEO, which can hurt your rankings and, over time, impact your sales.
Plus, managing multiple freelancers requires a lot of hands-on attention, something business owners often don't have the time for.
An SEO Agency Is a One-Stop Solution
To help your business grow, you need a reliable SEO agency you can count on. At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we offer a full range of SEO content marketing services, all under one roof.
Whether it's on-page SEO, local SEO, technical SEO, or even social media management, our team of experts is here to boost your rankings without the administrative burden associated with hiring freelancers.
Cost of Website Content
We've touched on how working with a reliable SEO content writing agency can actually be more cost-effective, but now, let's break down exactly how much you can save.
Cost of Freelance Writers
The cost of hiring freelance writers varies based on factors like experience, skill level, and niche expertise. While you can find independent contractors at lower rates, bringing them on as part of your in-house content marketing team can get expensive. You must cover salaries, bonuses, and other incentives to keep them motivated.
On platforms like Upwork, you'll find writers offering content for as little as $10 per 1,000 words. That said, if you want native English speakers or industry specialists, expect to pay hundreds of dollars per blog post or landing page.
And that's just for the writing. You'll also need an editor to proofread and ensure the content meets your brand's quality standards. Poorly written blogs can drive up bounce rates and leave a bad impression on readers. Since editors typically charge by the hour (often more than writers), this can further drive your content marketing costs.
To rank well on search engine results pages (SERPs), you'll also need an SEO expert if you don't already have one. According to Backlinko, SEO freelancers charge anywhere between $50 and $150 per hour.
Now, add all those costs together, and you're looking at hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars just to produce high-quality, SEO-optimized content.
Cost of an SEO Agency
At first glance, hiring an SEO writing agency might seem expensive. In reality, it can save your business a lot of money.
At Sapphire SEO Solutions, we offer three content writing tiers tailored to different business needs. Our Quartz Tier, starting at just $30 per 1,000 words, provides exceptional value. It includes a dedicated account manager, a team of SEO-savvy writers, and an editor who meticulously checks every order for plagiarism, AI content, and grammatical errors. Instead of juggling multiple professionals, you get everything you need in one package.
For those looking for a premium experience, our Opal Tier starts at $50 per 1,000 words and takes things to the next level. It includes deeply researched, fact-checked content, carefully designed infographics, and free keyword research to ensure your content ranks well. Plus, every piece is optimized using SurferSEO, giving you a competitive edge in search rankings.
With Sapphire SEO Solutions, you're not just getting content. You're investing in high-quality, SEO-optimized writing that helps your business grow without the added hassle of managing multiple freelancers.
Timely Deliveries
Consistently publishing blogs signals to Google that your website is active and relevant, which can help you climb the search rankings faster. That's why it's so important for businesses to work with writers who can deliver high-quality content on time, every time.
Freelance Writers May Not Be Reliable
Freelancers don't always stick to the timelines outlined in your SEO content strategy. Between researching keywords, crafting engaging copy, and fine-tuning for search engines, writing high-quality, SEO-optimized content takes time. If you're working with tight deadlines, delays in receiving blogs or landing pages can slow down your operations.
Even experienced freelancers who work efficiently can't always guarantee fast turnaround times. Unexpected setbacks like medical emergencies, power outages, or internet issues can disrupt their workflow, leading to delays and, eventually, lower audience engagement.
An SEO Agency Can Ensure Timely Deliveries
Partnering with a results-driven SEO agency like Sapphire SEO Solutions ensures that your content is always delivered on time. We honor our commitments from the moment we sign an agreement, so you never have to worry about missed deadlines.
Even if a writer is unavailable due to illness or an emergency, our team has plenty of skilled professionals ready to step in and keep things moving at your desired pace.
Our streamlined approach minimizes the risk of delays while helping your website maintain a consistent publishing schedule, something Google loves when ranking sites in search results.
When Should You Choose a Freelance Writer?
After comparing SEO agencies and freelancers, you might think we're discouraging you from hiring a freelance writer. However, that's not the case!
There are situations where working with a freelancer can be a great choice for your business, such as:
You have an in-house SEO team and only need a professional writer to publish content occasionally for your target audience.
You're experimenting with different content creation and SEO strategies and need an affordable, professional writer to test out changes.
You need financial flexibility, as some SEO agencies (though not Sapphire SEO Solutions) require a minimum six-month commitment.
When Should You Work with an SEO Content Writing Company?
Partnering with an SEO content writing agency can often be more beneficial than hiring a freelancer, depending on your business needs. Here are a few situations where outsourcing to a reputable company is a smarter choice:
You need a team that can handle multiple aspects of search engine optimization, from keyword research to content optimization.
You require writers with expertise in different industries to create high-quality content across multiple websites.
You're looking for affordable SEO content writing services to scale your SEO efforts while keeping costs under control.
Seeking SEO Content Services for Your Business? Partner with Sapphire SEO Solutions for Affordable SEO Writing!
Ready to team up with a growth-focused SEO agency for your content writing needs? Look no further than Sapphire SEO Solutions. We specialize in helping small and medium-sized brands thrive in today's competitive digital world.
You can easily order content through our user-friendly client dashboard, or if you're looking for something more tailored, just reach out to a specialist by filling out our online contact form!