If you’re in the SEO game, you know that juggling a million tasks can feel like trying to keep a circus act going. With constant changes in algorithms and best practices, finding time to focus on what truly moves the needle can be a challenge. That’s where outsourcing comes into play. But what tasks do SEOs find themselves handing off to third parties? Let’s dive into the data.
Key Insights from Our Poll
In a recent survey of 190 local SEO professionals, we asked the simple yet powerful question: "Which SEO tasks do you outsource?" Here’s what we discovered:
25% of respondents indicated that Citation Cleanup/Building is their top outsourced task.
16% outsource Content Creation, while 15% turn to others for Link Building.
Interestingly, the most time-consuming tasks are the ones that agencies are most likely to delegate. As the saying goes, "Time is money," and if you can offload a labor-intensive job at a reasonable cost, it’s a no-brainer.
Outsourcing Citation Management
Why do so many SEOs choose to outsource citation management? Well, in the recent Expert Citation Survey, a whopping 55% of experts deemed accurate business listings "critical" for local search rankings. But let's be honest: cleaning up data isn’t the most thrilling job on the planet.
Brian Anderson from Mediamash.com nailed it when he said, “40-50% of local SEO is handling the citations correctly.” Similarly, Gib Olander from Simpartners.com emphasized that “citation building, or local data management, is the foundation layer for Local Search.” When it comes to the nitty-gritty of citations, it makes sense for agencies to leverage third-party services like Citation Builder or Citation Tracker from BrightLocal to streamline their operations.
The Case for Outsourcing Content Creation
Content creation is crucial for SEO success, yet it can consume a significant chunk of your time. For niche industries, where specialized knowledge is essential, outsourcing can be a game changer. However, local businesses often benefit from "hyper-localized" content, making it valuable for clients to write their own material.
Susan Hallam of Hallaminternet pointed out in a recent webinar that "the highest quality content has to come from the client." Greg Gifford from Autorevo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that business owners have an intimate understanding of their products and services. That said, time constraints can often make this ideal impossible to achieve.
Embracing Outside Expertise
There are also specific SEO tasks that require expertise beyond what an average SEO consultant or agency might possess, such as web design and video creation. While most agencies can handle the basics, outsourcing to specialized third parties often yields better results.
Social media management, on the other hand, is typically less outsourced. Many agencies utilize affordable tools to manage their social tasks in-house. However, it’s worth noting that while social media is essential for building a brand, its direct impact on local or organic rankings is relatively minor compared to content creation and link building.
With Google’s ongoing updates, the need for link cleanup services has surged. Maintaining a clean link profile is a regular necessity, but many agencies have the expertise to handle this task internally. Reputation management also falls into the category of tasks that most local SEOs can manage effectively, given the time and skills they possess.
So, if you're a local SEO professional, take a step back and evaluate your workflow. Which tasks are bogging you down? By outsourcing the right tasks, you can free up valuable time and focus on strategies that will really drive results.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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