Why outsource digital marketing services? It’s about tapping into expertise, optimizing costs, and sharpening focus on your business’s core functions.
Whether you’re a start-up looking for cost-effective marketing solutions or a well-established business seeking specialized expertise, we will help you understand the advantages and potential of digital marketing outsourcing.
What Is Digital Marketing Outsourcing?
Digital marketing outsourcing involves hiring external experts or agencies to manage and execute your digital marketing strategies. This can include a wide range of marketing tasks, from content creation and SEO to social media management and PPC advertising, and it applies to B2C or B2B marketing.
The main reason businesses opt for outsourcing is to tap into digital marketers’ specialized expertise and free up their in-house team to focus on core business activities.
It’s essentially a strategic move to optimize resources, streamline operations, and potentially drive better results in online marketing efforts.
Benefits of Outsourcing Digital Marketing Services
Outsourcing digital marketing offers an array of benefits to businesses, but we think these are the 7 top benefits:
1. Expertise at your fingertips
Access to specialized expertise is one of the standout benefits of outsourcing. Whether it’s a specialty in content creation, social media marketing, search engine optimization, or pay-per-click advertising, digital marketing experts bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table.
This specialized expertise significantly contributes to the success of digital marketing. By offering diverse perspectives and quickly adapting to industry trends, outsourced professionals offer a high level of marketing proficiency that may be challenging for an in-house team to attain, particularly for small start-ups or businesses seeking to overhaul their strategies.
2. Access advanced marketing tools
Outsourcing also gives you access to advanced digital marketing tools. These tools, which might not be cost-effective for a small in-house team, range from social media marketing and SEO tools to conversion optimization and graphic design tools—for instance, social media marketing tools like Buffer and Hootsuite for scheduling posts and SEO tools like SEMrush for optimizing website visibility.
3. Keep up with the latest marketing trends
Outsourcing digital marketing services lets you stay updated with industry trends. Expert marketers monitor the marketing landscape, identify emerging trends, and implement them into your strategy.
For example, an SEO specialist would keep a close eye on the latest algorithm updates from search engines like Google and adjust your website’s SEO strategy accordingly. This ensures your business remains competitive and innovative without diverting your focus from core operations.
4. Streamline operations
By entrusting marketing tasks to external professionals, you can concentrate on your core strengths, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering business expansion. This approach frees up resources that would otherwise be spent on building and managing an in-house marketing team.
For example, instead of spending time and resources on training an in-house team to handle SEO and Facebook marketing, you could outsource these tasks to a digital marketing agency. This allows you to focus on product development or customer service, areas where your business truly excels.
5. Get new perspective
Outsourcing digital marketing can provide you with fresh perspectives. By infusing external viewpoints into your marketing strategies, you can inspire innovative approaches that might not have been considered.
6. Save money
When you outsource your digital marketing, you save money in several ways. First, you eliminate the costs associated with hiring full-time employees, such as salaries, benefits, and training expenses. Instead, you pay for the services you need when you need them, giving you more control over your budget.
Second, outsourcing gives you access to a team of experts already equipped with the skills and tools necessary to execute effective marketing strategies. This means you don’t have to invest in expensive software or spend time training your team on how to use it.
Third, by outsourcing, you can leverage the expertise of professionals who are up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies. They can implement efficient strategies that yield higher ROI, saving you money in the long run.
7. Achieve faster results
Outsourcing digital marketing leads to quicker results due to the expertise and experience of the hired agencies or freelancers. They’re familiar with the latest trends and tools, allowing swift implementation of effective strategies.
When Should (and Shouldn’t) You Outsource Digital Marketing?
The decision to outsource depends on numerous factors. Here are some situations where it might be beneficial or not:
When you should consider outsourcing:
- If your business lacks the resources to hire a full-time, in-house digital marketing team. For instance, a small start-up focusing on developing an innovative tech product might not have the budget to hire a full team of marketing specialists. In this case, outsourcing to a digital marketing agency can provide access to a team of experts at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time employees and having to foster in-house expertise.
- If you’re launching a new product or entering a new market. Outsourcing can provide you with a team of seasoned professionals who can swiftly develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy, thereby speeding up your time to market.
- If your business is going through a period of growth or transition. Outsourcing can provide a level of flexibility that an internal team might not offer. For example, if you need to ramp up your marketing efforts for a new product launch or a seasonal peak in demand, an outsourced team can easily scale up or down as needed.
- If your in-house team is overwhelmed with workload. There might be situations where your in-house team is overloaded with tasks and unable to manage the increasing workload. In such cases, outsourcing can be a practical solution. It can help to balance the workload and ensure that your marketing campaigns are executed efficiently and on time.
When you might want to keep digital marketing in-house:
- If your business has a highly specialized niche that requires deep industry knowledge. An in-house team might be better equipped to understand and communicate your unique value proposition.
- If you have a large enough budget to hire and maintain a team of experienced digital marketing professionals. In this case, developing an in-house team could be a worthwhile investment.
Remember, the decision to outsource marketing activities should be based on carefully evaluating your business’s needs, resources, and goals. It’s a decision that should be made with a clear understanding of both options’ potential benefits and drawbacks.
Choosing the Right Digital Marketing Outsourcing Partner
Choosing the right outsourcing partner is a decision that can significantly impact your business’s online presence and success. The right partner could be a digital marketing agency or an independent contractor, or freelancer, who specializes in digital marketing.
A digital marketing agency typically consists of a team of specialists, each with unique expertise, such as SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, or PPC advertising. They can offer a comprehensive range of services and have the capacity to handle large-scale projects.
On the other hand, an independent contractor or freelancer is a single individual who specializes in one or more areas of digital marketing. They can provide more personalized attention, flexibility, and often lower costs. However, they may not be able to handle large-scale projects or provide a wide range of services like an agency.
The choice between a digital marketing agency and a freelancer depends on your business’s specific needs, budget, and the scope of your digital marketing efforts.
When it comes to choosing an outsourced marketing partner, there are several key factors to consider:
Experience and expertise
The most crucial factor is the experience and expertise the agency or independent contractor has. Evaluating their past work, client testimonials, and case studies is essential. Their proficiency in areas such as SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and PPC advertising should be assessed.
Industry knowledge
Understanding your business’s industry is a significant advantage for a digital marketing partner. They should be aware of the industry trends, consumer behaviors, and competitive landscape to create effective marketing strategies for your business.
This knowledge enables them to tailor their strategies to your specific niche, ensuring that the content, keywords, and overall approach match the expectations and interests of your target audience. By being in tune with the dynamics of your industry, they can anticipate changes, adapt strategies accordingly, and keep your business at the forefront of your sector.
Industry expertise can be a game-changer in the effectiveness of your digital marketing efforts.
Services offered
The range of services offered by the agency or contractor is another important factor. Some businesses might need a full-service digital marketing agency, while others might only require specific services like SEO or social media marketing. Ensure the agency or contractor offers the services that align with your business needs.
Communication and reporting
Effective communication is the backbone of a successful partnership. The agency or contractor should provide regular updates and reports about the progress of the marketing campaigns. They should be responsive and open to discussions.
Cost and value
Finally, consider the cost of the services. While choosing the most affordable option is tempting, it’s important to ensure you’re getting value for your money. The cheapest option might not always provide the best results. Therefore, consider the potential return on investment when making your decision.
By considering these factors, you can select a digital marketing outsourcing partner that aligns with your business goals and can deliver the results you’re aiming for.
And if you go down the route of hiring an independent contractor, you may find our 10 effective interview questions for remote marketing professionals useful.
Tips for Successful Digital Marketing Outsourcing
When it comes to successfully outsourcing your digital marketing functions, there are several key factors to keep in mind.
Establish clear communication
First and foremost, maintain open lines of communication with your outsourcing partner. Ensure you’re clear about your expectations, goals, and the level of involvement you want in the marketing process.
Regular in-person or virtual meetings can keep everyone on the same page and ensure that your marketing strategies are being implemented as planned.
Foster collaboration
Remember, your outsourcing partner is an extension of your team. Encourage collaboration and idea sharing. Their external perspective can bring fresh ideas to the table that you might not have considered.
By fostering a collaborative environment, you can ensure your marketing campaigns are innovative and effective.
Measure results
Lastly, it’s crucial to establish a system for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) of your outsourced marketing campaigns. These KPIs could encompass metrics like website traffic, social media engagement, lead generation, and conversion rates.
Regularly reviewing these KPIs allows you to gauge the effectiveness of the strategies implemented by your outsourced agency or freelancer and make necessary adjustments for optimization, making sure you are hitting your digital marketing goals.
Final Thoughts
Outsourcing digital marketing services offers many benefits, including access to specialized expertise, advanced tools, and cost savings. Whether you work with a freelancer or an agency, the key to a successful partnership lies in clear communication, setting measurable goals, and maintaining a collaborative approach.
Ready to start your journey in outsourcing digital marketing services by working with expert remote marketers?
Near is here to help you find top digital marketing talent. When you partner with us, you get access to our growing talent pool of over 35,000 highly skilled and diverse candidates from Latin America—allowing you to cut overhead costs by 30–70% compared to hiring a US-based in-house team.
Book a free consultation call with us today. Let’s start building your dream marketing team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to combine in-house and outsourced digital marketing efforts?
Absolutely! A hybrid approach to digital marketing, which involves a combination of in-house and outsourced efforts, is not only possible but can also be incredibly beneficial.
The in-house team can focus on core marketing activities that align closely with the business’s objectives and culture. At the same time, the outsourced team can bring in specialized expertise, fresh perspectives, and access to advanced tools that might not be readily available in-house.
This collaborative approach can lead to a more robust and versatile digital marketing strategy that capitalizes on the strengths of both teams.
What is the difference between digital marketing and traditional marketing?
Traditional marketing refers to any type of marketing that isn’t online. This means print, broadcast, direct mail, phone, and outdoor advertising like billboards.
Digital marketing, on the other hand, is any marketing a company conducts online, like paid social media ads, email marketing, and PPC advertising. Digital marketing has become wildly popular due to the cultural, technological, and societal shifts around us.
So, the key difference is the medium through which an audience encounters a marketing message. While traditional marketing uses traditional media like magazines and newspapers, digital marketing uses digital media, such as social media or websites.
How can I find digital marketing independent contractors?
There are various ways to find digital marketing independent contractors or freelancers. One effective method is by utilizing marketing recruitment agencies. These agencies have access to a vast network of professionals in the field of digital marketing and can assist in sourcing the right talent. (And, of course, Near would be more than happy to help you.)
In addition to recruitment agencies, online freelance platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are also excellent resources for finding digital marketing professionals. These platforms host a multitude of freelancers with diverse skill sets in digital marketing, allowing you to review their portfolios, previous work, and client reviews before making a hiring decision.
For more info on finding top remote professionals, read our article “How To Find and Hire the Best Remote Talent Even on a Budget.”
