The jury’s still out on this one, and I’m convinced the debate shall continue for years to come. How do you manage your search engine marketing campaign? Do you hire an SEO agency? Do you hire an in-house optimization expert?

Some companies swear by their in-house SEOers. On the other hand, there are clients that remain loyal to an out-of-house agency. It’s easy to tell on which side of the isle I stand – c’mon, I edit for an E-commerce company. Out-of-house SEO is what we do. It’s what we love. It’s what we eat for breakfast.

That said, there are a good many reasons why outsourcing your site’s SEO is not just the convenient option, but the best option. No matter the size or scope of your business, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion, hear fresh voices, learn other perspectives. A seasoned, smart SEO firm understands current SEO/SEM trends, attends regular seminars and classes and stays abreast of all things marketing. I’d also argue that while an agency often works with a number of clients, this allows the SEOers to develop a broader view of online marketing, seeing it from multiple angles.

Hiring an in-house SEO guru is expensive business. Sure, your expert will most likely make smart decisions, but it can come at a high price. And it’s not just the salaries, but the price of keeping your in-house staff in the know – the cost of regularly sending your in-housers to conferences and seminars adds up, but is necessary. On the other hand, your in-house staff will have a vested interest in succeeding, for their own job security.

In the end, it’s an important business decision to consider. I maintain that if you hire the right SEO company, if you cultivate a relationship with the agency and if you’re willing to both teach and learn, your search engine marketing campaign can soar. At 10Best, our SEO strategists are smart, engaged, and fiercely loyal to the brands they help build. While not in-house, we have close relationships with our clients and a devoted interest in their success. Heck, it reflects upon us. It’s a big web – make sure you have experts in your corner.