Outsourcing online marketing means hiring a specialist for your SEO, Google Ads, social media or email, instead of doing it yourself. It pays off especially if you're short on time, don't know what works, or are spending money now without seeing what it brings in.
But outsourcing is no guarantee. It only works with clear goals, honest agreements and a partner who shows you what they're doing. In this article you'll learn when it's smart, what you can outsource, what it costs and how to choose the right partner.
When is outsourcing online marketing a smart move?
Not every business needs to outsource everything. A few signs it's time:
- You never get round to it. Marketing slips every week, because client work comes first.
- You advertise, but don't know what it brings in.
- Your website gets little traffic from Google, while competitors do get found.
- You've tried it yourself, but it takes a lot of time for little result.
- You want to grow and need a steady flow of enquiries.
On the other hand: do you have a small budget but the time and appetite to learn? Then you can do a lot yourself, such as keeping your Google Business Profile up to date, asking for reviews and writing a good article now and then.
Do it yourself or outsource: the pros and cons
Pros of doing it yourself: low costs, you know your customers best, and you keep everything in your own hands.
Cons of doing it yourself: it takes a lot of time, you learn by making mistakes and those cost money, especially with ads. And you often lack the technical know-how for SEO or tracking.
Pros of outsourcing: knowledge and experience available straight away, time for your own trade, and someone who keeps to a steady rhythm.
Cons of outsourcing: monthly costs, less direct control, and you depend on the quality of the partner you choose.
Many business owners choose a mix. They do the work that relies on their own expertise, such as project photos or short updates, themselves. They outsource the technical side, the ads and the SEO.
What can you outsource?
- SEO: making your website easier to find on Google, through technical work, content and local visibility. Read more in our SEO explainer.
- Google Ads: setting up, managing and improving ads based on enquiries, not just clicks.
- Social media: planning, posting and advertising on the channels where your customers are.
- Email marketing: newsletters and automated emails.
- Tracking and reporting: Google Analytics, conversion tracking and a monthly overview.
- Content: blog articles and landing pages that attract and convince visitors.
You don't have to do everything at once. Start with the channel that will bring your business results fastest. Torn between the two biggest? Read SEO or Google Ads.
What does outsourcing online marketing cost?
The costs depend on what you outsource, how much work it is and who does it. Freelancers, small agencies and large agencies charge very different rates. Note that your ad budget, the money that goes to Google or Meta, is usually separate from management.
At Violexa, online marketing starts from €599 excl. VAT (€725 incl. VAT) per month. That covers SEO, Google Ads and social media, tailored to what you need. There's no minimum term: you can cancel monthly with one month's notice. Our pricing page shows what's included.
Want to decide first how much you can spend on marketing overall? Read our article on setting your online marketing budget.
Choosing an online marketing agency: what to look for
Use this checklist when you talk to agencies:
- Do they ask about your goals, customers and margins, or start straight away on their packages?
- Do they explain in plain language what they're going to do?
- Do you get access to all accounts yourself, such as Google Ads, Analytics and your business profile?
- How long are you tied in? A long contract without results is a risk.
- How do they report, and is the reporting about enquiries and revenue or only about clicks?
- Who actually does the work? Are you talking to the person who manages your campaigns?
- Do they promise a top spot on Google? Then be careful, because nobody can guarantee that.
How to work well together after outsourcing
Outsourcing doesn't mean you're no longer involved. The best results come from a good working relationship.
- Agree upfront what success looks like, for example more quote requests or more bookings.
- Make sure conversions are tracked properly, so everyone is looking at the same figures.
- Give input: new services, busy and quiet periods, questions customers often ask.
- Schedule a fixed moment, monthly for example, to discuss results and plans.
- Give it time. SEO works over the long term. Ads deliver results faster, but also need a few weeks to learn.
Common mistakes when outsourcing marketing
- Choosing the lowest price. A cheap package with vague tasks often delivers little.
- Not agreeing on a goal, so nobody knows whether it's working.
- Letting accounts be set up in the agency's name. If you stop, you lose your data and history.
- Switching too quickly. After one month, especially with SEO, there's little you can say yet.
- Hanging on too long. If you see no improvement and no honest explanation after a reasonable period, ask questions.
- Forgetting your website. More visitors to a slow or unclear site bring in few enquiries.
That last point is often underestimated. Marketing brings people to your site, but the site has to convince them. Sometimes a better landing page is worth more than extra ad budget.
Outsourcing online marketing to Violexa
At Violexa you work directly with Hisham, the founder. So you talk to the person who does the work. We help businesses across the Netherlands, from Amsterdam. Because we also build websites and web applications, we can take technical improvements to your site on board straight away. Read more about our approach on the online marketing page.
Not sure whether outsourcing suits you? Book a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or on site, we look at your website and marketing. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to outsource online marketing?
That depends on what you outsource and to whom. At Violexa it starts from €599 excl. VAT (€725 incl. VAT) per month, with no minimum term. Ad budget for Google or Meta usually comes on top of that.
Is it better to do SEO yourself or outsource it?
You can often handle the basics yourself, such as keeping your business profile up to date and writing good copy. Technical SEO, keyword research and link building take more knowledge and time. That's why many business owners do part of it themselves and outsource the rest.
How quickly do you see results from online marketing?
Google Ads can bring in enquiries within a few weeks. SEO usually needs months before you see a clear effect. So agree upfront what you expect and when.
What should you look for in a marketing agency?
Look for clear explanations, fair contract terms and reports on enquiries rather than just clicks. Make sure you remain the owner of all accounts. Be wary of agencies that promise a top position on Google.
