How Much Does it Cost To Outsource Marketing

Outsourcing your marketing can be a game-changer, especially for small businesses looking to scale without the hefty price tag of an in-house team. But how much does it cost to outsource marketing?

In this guide, we’ll break down the outsourcing costs you can expect when working with a service provider. From direct costs and pricing models to hidden fees and the benefits of tapping into a global talent pool, we’ll help you make informed decisions that align with your business goals.

What Affects the Cost of Outsourcing Marketing Services?

The cost of outsourcing marketing isn’t a flat rate—it varies based on several moving parts. As a business owner, understanding these cost factors is essential to help you budget wisely and avoid surprises on your outsourcing bill.

Project Scope and Deliverables

The more complex your campaign, the higher the cost. For example, if you’re only outsourcing blog writing—say, four articles a month—you might spend around $400 to $800 with a freelance writer or small content team. However, a full-service SEO retainer that includes keyword research, on-page optimization, technical audits, backlink outreach, and monthly reporting could range from $1,500 to $5,000 per month.

Campaigns that involve multiple platforms will naturally increase outsourcing costs due to the extended project complexity.

Expertise and Location of the Service Provider

Where your outsourcing partner is based and their level of expertise both impact cost. A content marketing strategist in the U.S. may charge $100+ per hour. A Filipino SEO consultant, on the other hand, with the same skill set may offer services at $25–$50 per hour—thanks to lower in-house costs and operating expenses.

If your project involves advanced SEO work like forensic audits, website migration, or data-driven content marketing, you’ll likely need someone with proven experience. This may still justify a higher investment regardless of location.

Tools, Technology, and Software

Let’s say your project requires SEMrush or Ahrefs access for keyword tracking, plus Notion or Trello for collaboration, and Grammarly or SurferSEO for content optimization. While some outsourcing companies include these software licenses in their rates, others may pass the cost on to you. In some cases, agencies may even require you to subscribe separately to premium tools, adding $100 to $500+ in extra costs each month depending on your technology stack and tool preferences.

Type of Outsourcing Relationship

Your outsourcing model shapes how you’re billed. A project-based agreement—like a one-time website content revamp—might have a flat fee of $2,000–$3,000. A retainer-based model, common for ongoing SEO or content production, offers flexibility and continuity but requires monthly payments.

On the other hand, working with a managed service provider gives you a full marketing team and reporting structure, which often costs more upfront but reduces indirect costs like project oversight and internal training. For instance, startups with no marketing lead may prefer a managed option for operational ease, while companies with an in-house strategist might only need project-based work.

So, how much does outsourcing marketing cost?

All of these things are nice to know but how much does it actually cost? Let’s break down the typical price ranges for common services like SEO, content marketing, and social media management. We’ll also explore how hourly rates, retainers, and key project factors influence pricing, so you can set realistic expectations and choose a marketing outsourcing model that fits your business goals and budget.

Average Monthly Costs by Marketing Service​

Marketing outsourcing costs can vary widely depending on the service, the outsourcing provider, and your business goals. Here’s a closer look at what you might expect to pay monthly for common outsourcing services, especially if you’re hiring a service provider to handle SEO, content, or digital marketing functions.

SEO Services

If you’re outsourcing SEO, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000+ per month, depending on the depth and scope of work. A basic package may include keyword research, technical site audits, and on-page optimization. More advanced plans—often offered by a managed service provider or outsourcing company—can include link building, content strategy, and competitor tracking, especially when paired with robust project management tools and reporting systems.

Example: A small business might hire an outsourcing partner in the Philippines for $1,000/month for local SEO and blog content, compared to $4,000/month from a U.S.-based agency offering similar services.

Content Marketing

Content marketing retainers usually range from $2,000 to $10,000/month, depending on content volume, strategy, and platforms used. The cost includes blog writing, copywriting, landing pages, email sequences, and possibly multimedia (like video scripting or design). Higher-end providers may charge more if they employ senior content strategists or include editorial calendars, content audits, and SEO-focused writing optimized for your technology stack.

Social Media Management

Managing social media channels can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per month. Lower-cost services typically include scheduling and engagement on a few platforms. More comprehensive packages may involve strategy development, paid ad campaigns, graphic design, and analytics—especially useful for B2C or customer-facing applications. The more platforms and content types involved, the higher the project complexity and cost.

Email Marketing

Email marketing outsourcing costs typically range from $500 to $3,000 per month. Basic packages include newsletter creation and list management, while higher-priced options might feature automation workflows, segmentation, and A/B testing. These services may also involve software licenses for platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, or Klaviyo. This can be billed separately as additional costs or included in the total fee.

PPC and Paid Advertising

Paid media services, such as Google Ads and Meta Ads, can cost $1,000 to $ 10,000 or more monthly depending on ad spend and management scope. Most outsourcing providers charge a percentage of ad spend, typically 10%–20%, along with setup and creative fees. It’s common to work with project managers or media buyers who specialize in ROI-driven campaigns for e-commerce or mobile applications.

Hourly and Retainer Rates​

When evaluating the cost of outsourcing, two common pricing models come into play: hourly billing and monthly retainers. Both offer unique advantages depending on your project’s size, timeline, and operational costs. But to make an informed decision, you also need to consider which model suits your business type and stage.

Hourly Rates

Hourly rates are best suited for startups, solopreneurs, or small businesses that need flexibility or are working with limited budgets. This model lets you reduce costs by paying only for the time spent on specific tasks.

For example, hiring an experienced SEO specialist in the Philippines for $10/hour—my current rate—is a cost-effective solution for brands that need professional help but want to avoid in-house costs, onboarding, and overhead costs.

Retainer Packages

Monthly retainers are ideal for established companies, agencies, or B2B brands with ongoing content and SEO needs. This model supports long-term planning, consistent results, and stronger outsourcing relationships. While the upfront cost may be higher, it eliminates the unpredictability of indirect costs and frequent transition costs.

For instance, a business that outsources weekly blog content, technical SEO updates, and monthly reports can secure consistent support with a retainer, which typically ranges from $1,000 to $ 10,000 per month, depending on the deliverables and expertise.

Cost Comparison: In-House vs. Outsourced Marketing​

TL;DR: In-house teams may offer control, but they come with a hefty price tag. Outsourcing marketing services lets you tap into top-tier talent, enjoy predictable pricing, and see faster results—with significantly fewer extra costs. It’s a smarter, leaner, and more agile approach in today’s outsourcing market.

You might be asking yourself—why not just hire someone internally instead of opting for outsourcing? It’s a sensible question to consider. After all, having a dedicated marketing person (or team) within arm’s reach sounds ideal. But when you dig into the numbers, responsibilities, and long-term planning involved, outsourcing marketing often delivers more value and flexibility for less overall cost.

Here’s a closer look at how in-house vs. outsourced marketing stacks up, including a third option that’s gaining traction with growth-focused businesses.

In-House Marketing: Full Control, Full Expense

Hiring internally gives you control over your day-to-day operations, which can be useful if you need tight coordination with product, sales, or branding teams. But that control comes at a cost—literally.

Direct costs like salaries, tools, and equipment are just the beginning. Add indirect costs like onboarding, training, management time, and software licenses, and your monthly burn starts to rise quickly.

Let’s say you hire a content marketer in-house at $50,000/year. Factor in benefits, superannuation, recruitment fees, and tools like SEMrush or Grammarly, and your in-house costs could easily hit $70,000+ annually. That’s just for one person. Most companies need at least two to three roles (SEO, content, strategy) to get things moving.

In addition, if your team isn’t performing or the strategy needs to pivot, you still incur fixed operational costs with no quick way to scale down.

Outsourced Marketing: Lean, Scalable, and Cost-Effective

Outsourcing, on the other hand, lets you reduce costs by paying only for the services you need. Whether it’s a one-time SEO audit, monthly blog posts, or a full content campaign, you’re hiring a specialist or outsourcing provider with a proven process—no recruitment, no overhead, no long-term lock-in.

For example, a small business can hire an outsourcing partner like me for $10/hour, or on a fixed retainer, and get ongoing SEO and content support at a fraction of the in-house cost. That means you can run consistent campaigns, track performance, and adjust fast without being tied to payroll or internal bottlenecks.

You also avoid transition costs, extra training expenses, and hidden costs like tool subscriptions or inefficient meetings. It’s a cost-effective solution that fits evolving business goals, especially when you’re in growth or recovery mode.

When a Hybrid Model Makes Sense

Not all marketing teams need to choose one or the other. Many businesses now take a co-managed approach—keeping a small in-house team for strategy and brand direction while outsourcing execution-heavy work, such as SEO writing, technical audits, and blog production.

This hybrid model offers the best of both worlds: internal alignment plus external horsepower. It’s especially useful when managing project complexity, scaling campaigns quickly, or tapping into specialized skills like custom content or link-building—without hiring full-time employees.

In my experience working with startups and established companies across the United States, Australia, Canada, and the UK, this model is incredibly common. Agencies, for example, often retain full control over client communications and strategy but outsource the production work to someone like me. They rely on consistent output, quality writing, and SEO support without expanding their internal headcount.

On the other hand, direct companies—whether B2B or B2C—tend to go all in. They often outsource their entire content and SEO operation. Some start small, hiring one virtual assistant to manage the basics, and as the relationship grows, so does the team. Before long, we’re functioning as a fully remote extension of their in-house team, but without the in-house costs.

This evolution from a single outsourced task to a long-term outsourcing partnership is proof that the hybrid approach isn’t just a budget solution—it’s a smart, scalable way to grow your marketing function with flexibility and trust.

Making an Informed Decision​

Choosing the right model isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about understanding your capacity, your goals, and how much flexibility your business needs to grow sustainably.

Outsourcing may seem like a big leap, especially if you’re used to having a team you can manage directly. But in reality, outsourcing can feel just as seamless when done right. It’s not just about cutting costs. It’s about freeing up your time, filling skill gaps, and delivering consistent output without stretching your in-house team thin.

Here are a few questions to guide your decision:

• What are your current priorities? If your goal is to scale fast without hiring, outsourcing gives you momentum without the overhead.
• Do you need expertise you don’t currently have? Outsourcing gives you access to niche skills—SEO, content writing, analytics—without committing to full-time hires.
• Are you struggling to keep up with content production or SEO updates? A trusted outsourcing partner can handle execution while your team focuses on strategy.
• Do you want long-term support or just help with short-term campaigns? Outsourcing models are flexible—you can scale up or down as needed.

The best decisions come from clarity, not urgency. I’ve worked with businesses that started small—just a few blog posts or an audit—and eventually grew into full-scale collaborations. Whether you’re testing the waters or ready to go all-in, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The most important thing is to choose a setup that works for your pace, your budget, and your brand.

When you know what you’re looking for—and partner with someone who understands your vision—outsourcing stops being a gamble. It becomes one of your smartest business moves.

These are just ballpark figures, of course. But they illustrate why starting with a trusted freelancer—especially one with years of experience and industry-specific knowledge—can offer the best balance of cost and value for small to medium-sized businesses.

Why Outsourcing SEO to the Philippines Is a Smart Move

When you outsource SEO to the Philippines, you’re not just hiring someone who speaks fluent English—you’re partnering with professionals known for their dedication, adaptability, and drive to deliver results. Filipino SEO specialists bring more than affordability to the table. They bring initiative, a strong work ethic, and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow.

Take it from me. I didn’t come from a traditional digital agency background—I taught myself SEO through real-world application, online courses, and constant experimentation. I’m a visual learner, so I test strategies, track performance, and adjust based on what actually works—not just theory.

I like to describe it this way:

World-class quality, Filipino affordability.

Who Needs to Hire a Filipino SEO Expert

Not sure if it’s time to bring in a professional? Here are clear warning signs your business needs help from an SEO expert:

• You’re invisible on Google. When potential clients search for your service + location, your website doesn’t show up—or worse, your competitors do.
• Website traffic is flat or dropping. You’ve had a website for a while, but it’s not bringing in consistent leads or new business.
• You rely too much on paid ads. You’re spending money on Google Ads or social media just to get visibility. SEO offers long-term organic traffic without ongoing ad spend.
• You’ve tried DIY SEO—but got stuck. Maybe you’ve attempted keyword research, tweaked a few meta descriptions, or posted a blog or two. But results? Still crickets.
• Your site is slow, outdated, or hard to navigate. Poor site structure and user experience can harm your search engine rankings—and you may not even know it’s happening.
• Your competitors are outranking you. Even with fewer resources, they’re getting noticed—because they’ve invested in SEO strategy and ongoing optimisation.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to hire an SEO specialist who can create a clear roadmap, track your progress, and help you build a successful business—with visibility that lasts.

Build a Successful Business with the Right SEO Partner

For small to medium-sized businesses, hiring a skilled freelancer can offer the best of both worlds—personalized service, deep expertise, and better value for your budget. It’s not just outsourcing; it’s a strategic partnership focused on communication and shared success.

If you’re ready to work with someone who brings both technical know-how and business insight to the table, let’s talk. Let’s talk about your website’s SEO and build a strategy that works for your business.

FAQs about Hiring an SEO

Related Outsourcing Posts