The Heart of a Successful Digital Presence is the Ability to Stand Out

Within the vast, ever-expanding www, small businesses should strive to find their online niche/popularity, whether it be through social, online reviews or ideally the ability to garner a few URLS on first-page search results (SERP).

With so much noise and choice, getting lost in obscurity is easy. So, the question of hiring a digital marketing agency or finding a consultant is fraught with considerations of cost, flexibility, and expertise. 

Financial Implications

Hiring a digital marketing agency might seem like a good idea, until you see the price tag. The financial commitment involved in hiring a digital marketing agency is not insignificant.

Agencies typically operate on a monthly retainer model, with fees ranging from $1,000 to upwards of $20,000, dictated by the project's scope and complexity.

This model can place a substantial financial burden on small businesses with constrained budgets. Conversely, opting for a marketing consultant can offer a more financially viable solution. Freelancers offer the advantage of payment flexibility—be it hourly rates, project-based fees, or results-oriented pricing—with rates spanning from $25 to $200 per hour, influenced by their expertise and experience.

This route not only allows for significant savings on overhead expenses such as salaries, office space, and software licenses but also affords businesses the luxury of paying solely for the services they require.

Flexibility

The rigidity of locked-in contracts and the one-size-fits-all approach of an agency can stifle your business's ability to pivot strategies as it my entail a change of terms/services/price. Additionally, the challenge of being one among many clients can dilute an agency's focus on your business's unique needs.

In contrast, a consultant epitomizes flexibility. Hiring on a per-project basis, or locking in an hourly rate enables businesses to scale services up or down as needed, ensuring marketing efforts are both efficient and effective. Direct communication with a freelancer may facilitate a deeper understanding of a business's goals, allowing for a more of an on-the-fly response.

Expertise

A digital marketing agency can offer a broad spectrum of services across SEO, PPC, social media, but they may not always possess the deep specialization required for a specific industry, niche, or project. The potential for miscommunication and inconsistency rises with multiple points of contact, complicating the marketing process.

Consultants, however, stand out for their ability to offer focused expertise tailored to a business's specific needs. The opportunity to select a freelancer based on their proven track record, industry experience, and specialized skill set allows companies to engage with a professional uniquely suited to their industry niche. A single point of contact with a freelancer ensures streamlined communication, clarity, and consistency.

What a Good Digital Marketing Consultant Should Always Do

The ability to stand out is at the heart of a successful digital presence; this isn't just about being different; it's about being authentically you. Uncovering your business's distinct values serves as the cornerstone of a solid digital marketing strategy.

Through organic SEO research, one can achieve optimization that avoids the pitfalls of over-promising and under-delivering, focusing instead on creating a sustainable and transparent SEO strategy that grows with you.

For small businesses who need to evolve their digital presence, the consultant option isn't just smart; it's strategic. This bespoke and nimble partnership model is a game-changer for boosting your online brand and financial growth.