More small businesses are looking beyond their borders to scale smart—without bloating overhead costs. And the Philippines stands out as a go-to destination.
With over 1.57 million Filipinos working in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and a 10–15% share in the global BPO market, the country continues to attract global attention. The sector is also projected to grow by 7% in 2024, outpacing the global average of 3.5%.
When done right, outsourcing lets you tap into global talent, gain cost efficiency, and focus your internal resources on core business activities.
What Type of Projects Can You Outsource?
Outsourcing isn’t limited to answering customer emails or handling admin work. If you choose the right partner, you can gain access to support across almost every part of your business—from tech to marketing to operations. The key is knowing what to delegate so your in-house staff can stay focused on high-value work.
Here are some of the most common types of projects that businesses successfully outsource:
IT and Software Development
Need help building a website, mobile app, or managing cloud infrastructure? Many businesses turn to external service providers for software development, web maintenance, cybersecurity, and ongoing tech support. It’s an effective way to speed up delivery and tap into specialised skills without hiring a full development team.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
This is one of the most established outsourcing models. It covers tasks like customer service, data entry, Human Resources support, accounting, and administrative work. Outsourcing these processes helps improve business continuity and keeps your core team focused on bigger-picture projects.
Marketing and Digital Services
If there’s one area where outsourcing makes an immediate impact, it’s marketing. From SEO and blog writing to social media management, email marketing, and paid ads, you can outsource these tasks to experienced professionals who live and breathe digital marketing.
Many businesses struggle to keep up with content calendars, keyword research, campaign tracking, or consistently finding time to post on socials. That’s where an experienced outsourcing partner—like me—comes in.
I help small to mid-sized businesses build an effective outsourcing strategy around content and SEO that actually drives results. Whether you need help growing your search visibility, managing your brand’s online voice, or streamlining your digital efforts, I offer flexible support based on your project requirements and budget.
You don’t need a full in-house team to compete—you just need the right service provider who understands your goals and can help you scale without the overhead.
💬 Not sure where to start? Send me a message or book a discovery call and let’s talk about how we can simplify your marketing and get you back to focusing on what matters—your business.
Project Management
When your internal team is already stretched thin, bringing in an experienced external project manager can help keep things moving. They can oversee timelines, manage vendors, and make sure your requirements are met on time and within budget.
Research, Development, and Manufacturing
Some companies outsource product development, research projects, or even manufacturing to reduce costs and speed up time to market. These types of arrangements are ideal when you need niche expertise or extra hands to push a new idea forward.
Why the Philippines Makes Sense for Marketing & SEO Outsourcing
Outsourcing isn’t just for big companies with massive budgets. These days, it’s a smart move for small and mid-sized businesses that need real marketing support but can’t afford to build a full in-house team.
And when it comes to finding reliable, skilled professionals, the Philippines continues to lead the pack. There’s a huge talent pool of SEO specialists, content writers, digital marketers, designers and other professionals with specialized skills who’ve worked with global brands and know how to deliver.
So why does outsourcing to the Philippines work so well for marketing and SEO? Let’s break it down.
Easy Communication, Fewer Headaches
Working with someone in the Philippines feels less like outsourcing and more like hiring a remote extension of your team. Filipinos are highly proficient in English and have a strong grasp of Western communication styles, which makes day-to-day collaboration smooth. You won’t be stuck explaining things five different ways—or waking up at odd hours just to jump on a call.
Marketing Experience That Actually Applies
You’re not just hiring someone who knows how to use Canva or schedule social posts. Many Filipino professionals are trained in content strategy, SEO, social media management, and even project scope development.
Cost-Effective Without Cutting Corners
Let’s be honest—budget matters. Outsourcing to the Philippines gives you access to qualified talent at a fraction of the cost of hiring locally. We’re talking about 40–70% savings without compromising on output. That means you can finally launch that blog strategy, ramp up your SEO, or bring in someone to manage your email list.
A Market Built for Growth
The outsourcing industry in the Philippines is built to support global clients. From well-trained freelancers to structured outsourcing companies, there’s a strong ecosystem ready to meet different outsourcing models and project sizes. Whether you’re starting small or planning to build a full outsourcing team, you’ll find the support you need to scale.
How to Create an Effective Outsourcing Strategy
Outsourcing without a strategy is like hiring without a job description—risky, unclear, and bound to waste time. If you’re serious about making outsourcing work for your business, you need a clear plan that covers more than just who you’re hiring. It should guide you through identifying what to outsource, who to work with, and how to ensure you’re getting results.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you build a solid outsourcing strategy from the ground up.
1. Get Clear on Why You’re Outsourcing
Start by asking one simple question: What problem are you trying to solve?
Outsourcing can help with cost savings, access to specialised skills, or freeing up your internal team. But you need to be specific. For example, do you want to speed up content production? Are you looking for help with social media management or SEO campaigns? Do you need support with project scope planning for a new service?
Being clear on your business goals helps you decide what to outsource—and more importantly, what to keep in-house.
2. Identify What to Delegate
Outsourcing only works when you know exactly what to hand off. Too often, business owners fall into the trap of outsourcing too much too soon—or worse, assigning the wrong tasks. The best way to avoid this is to take stock of what your in-house team does well, and where external support can create the most value.
Start with a simple question: What’s slowing your business down right now?
Chances are, you’ll identify tasks that are either outside your team’s core strengths or eating up time that could be better spent on growth-focused activities. These are the tasks you should consider outsourcing first.
Category |
Example Tasks |
Why It’s Ideal for Outsourcing |
| Time-Consuming & Repetitive | – Data entry and report formatting – Appointment scheduling – Inbox management – Customer support – Spreadsheet updates and basic bookkeeping | These tasks follow standard procedures and don’t require deep company knowledge. They free up your in-house staff for higher-level work. |
| Outside Your Core Strengths | – Technical SEO audits – Content writing and optimisation – Social media scheduling – Paid ads setup and monitoring – CRM and software automation | These require specialised skills. Hiring experts through outsourcing gives you better results without the learning curve. |
| Low-Risk, High-Impact | – Blog publishing – Graphic design for social posts – Email marketing flows – Market research – SOP and process documentation | These support growth but aren’t mission-critical. You can test the waters with external help while keeping strategy in-house. |
When to Keep Tasks In-House
While outsourcing is powerful, it’s not a fix for everything. Tasks that involve sensitive business data, internal decision-making, or high-level strategy are usually best handled by your management team. These include:
- Financial forecasting and investor reports
- Brand positioning and tone development
- Core product design and business model strategy
- Employee performance reviews or HR policy creation
- Direct client or stakeholder relationships
You want to keep core competencies in-house—these activities define your business and require deep alignment with your corporate culture and long-term business goals.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match
Not every task needs to be fully outsourced. In fact, a hybrid setup often works best. For example, your team can develop the brand voice and content strategy, while your external team handles blog writing, keyword research, and formatting.
Or, your in-house designer can own branding and product visuals, while outsourced help tackles ad creatives and website assets. This kind of structure allows you to streamline operations without sacrificing quality or control.
3. Choose the Right Outsourcing Model
The right outsourcing model can help you get the most out of your budget, time, and team. It’s not just about offloading work. It’s about aligning the arrangement structure with your business goals and workflow.
Here are the three most common models used by small to mid-sized businesses:
Freelancer-Based Model
This setup involves hiring independent professionals on a task-by-task basis. It’s an excellent option for businesses with a limited project scope or those testing outsourcing for the first time. It also offers flexibility and lower costs without long-term commitment.
Example:
Hiring a freelance designer to create your monthly social media graphics.
Use this model if you need quick support on specific tasks without managing a team. It’s commonly used for digital marketing, writing, and admin-related work.
Project-Based Model
In this model, you outsource an entire job to a service provider or outsourcing company. You agree on deliverables, deadlines, and cost upfront. Once the job is done, the contract ends.
Example:
Outsourcing a full website rebuild with SEO setup included.
This is best for one-off outsourcing projects where you need clarity on cost and timelines. It reduces the burden on your in-house team while giving you access to specialised skills like web development or branding.
Dedicated Team Model
This is a long-term arrangement where you work with a remote outsourcing team that is an extension of your business. You may hire a full team or specific roles like a content writer, SEO specialist, or virtual assistant.
Example:
Building a remote marketing team to handle blog content, email campaigns, and analytics reporting.
Use this to scale efficiently and maintain control over your core business activities. With proper communication protocols, this model supports sustainable growth and clear alignment with your outsourcing goals.
4. Set a Clear Budget and Timeline
A successful outsourcing strategy needs a realistic budget and a clear idea of what you’re expecting in return. This part often gets overlooked, but it plays a huge role in avoiding hidden costs, missed deadlines, or mismatched expectations with your outsourcing vendor.
Start by thinking about the actual task or outcome you want. Then, work backwards into what it might cost. Don’t aim for the cheapest offer—aim for value.
What Does Outsourcing Cost?
Rates vary depending on the task, location of your external partner, and whether you’re hiring a freelancer, agency, or dedicated team. Here’s a rough guide to what you might expect when outsourcing to the Philippines, where you’ll often benefit from lower labour costs and strong English proficiency:
Service Type |
Estimated Monthly Cost (AUD) |
Engagement Type |
| Blog writing (4–8 posts/mo) | $600 – $1,200 | Freelancer or small agency |
| Technical SEO (monthly retainers) | $900 – $2,000 | SEO specialist or agency |
| Virtual assistant (full-time) | $700 – $1,100 | Dedicated remote staff |
| Social media management | $800 – $1,500 | Content marketer or team |
| Graphic design (ad hoc or part-time) | $500 – $1,000 | Freelancer or contractor |
| Customer support (full-time) | $800 – $1,300 | Call centre or individual rep |
| Web development project | $2,000 – $8,000+ (one-time) | Project-based team |
These figures depend on task complexity, turnaround time, and whether you’re engaging a solo contractor or a structured outsourcing arrangement through an agency.
For recurring work, many outsourcing companies offer package deals or fixed retainers. This helps you stay on top of your finances and track value through defined key performance indicators.
Budget Breakdown: What to Consider
When setting a budget, look beyond just task pricing. Include:
- Monthly or per-project fees: Base cost of the service
- Tool access: You may need to provide software like SEMrush, Canva Pro, Slack, or ClickUp
- Onboarding and training time: Especially if your outsourcing partner is supporting more technical business operations
- Contingency budget: For extra revisions, strategy updates, or scope adjustments
- Performance bonuses: Optional, but useful for encouraging consistent results
Tie each cost to a target. For example:
“We’re allocating $1,200 per month to social content production. Our target is to increase engagement by 25% and reach 3,000 followers in 3 months.”
This aligns your spend with your expected outcomes and gives your outsourcing manager something clear to track.
How to Estimate Time and Deadlines
Every project needs structure. Setting timelines helps your outsourcing endeavors stay focused and reduces friction when working across language barriers, time zone differences, or different work styles.
Break your timeline into stages:
- Kick-off / onboarding
- Initial deliverables
- Feedback loops
- Final delivery or monthly reporting
Be clear on:
- When updates are expected
- What the review process looks like
- When payments are made
- How to monitor progress
Make room for feedback, collaboration, and any employee training required. If you’re building a longer-term partnership, revisit timelines regularly based on performance monitoring.
Be Transparent with Your Provider
Clear budgeting and scheduling help build trust with your outsourcing partner. Be upfront about:
- How much you’re working with
- What results you’re aiming for
- Where you need flexibility
This helps filter out mismatched potential outsourcing partners and sets the tone for clear communication from the start. It also supports a culture of accountability—useful whether you’re working with individuals or large outsourcing companies.
If you’re unsure about pricing, ask about:
- Past project ranges
- What’s included in their rate
- Payment terms and revisions
- Previous clients with similar scopes
This reduces risk and supports outsourcing success without nasty surprises.
5. Document Everything Before You Start
Clear documentation lays the groundwork for a successful outsourcing strategy. It sets expectations, keeps your internal team aligned, and gives your outsourcing partner the clarity needed to deliver the right results. Whether you’re working with one freelancer or managing a full outsourcing arrangement, putting everything in writing reduces misunderstandings and helps you track progress as the work unfolds.
In the growing outsourcing market, it’s common for businesses—especially those hiring offshore—to face issues with mismatched expectations, delivery delays, or unclear roles. Documenting your workflow helps avoid these problems. It gives your outsourcing manager and key stakeholders a reliable point of reference, helping the project stay on track without relying on guesswork or assumptions.
This step matters just as much for small businesses as it does for large corporations. If you’re outsourcing tasks like content production, social media, or tax preparation, documentation helps standardise the process, keeps your quality consistent, and supports your ability to scale.
What You Should Document
Before starting any outsourcing project, document the following:
- Business goals and how the outsourced task supports them
- Project scope and deliverables
- Required specialised skills
- Tools and platforms your external partner will use
- Roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines
- Preferred working hours, time zone notes, and communication methods
- Timeline with key milestones and handover dates
- Access permissions for tools and files
- Benchmarks, metrics, and key performance indicators
- Clarification on budgets and hidden costs
This kind of structure allows for smooth collaboration across different teams and helps you adapt to changes in direction or strategy. It also strengthens your ability to monitor progress, meet deadlines, and hit your expected outcomes without friction—especially when working across borders or engaging multiple vendors.
A documented process gives you more than just control—it supports long-term business growth, helps you identify areas for improvement, and protects your operations as you scale.
6. Build a Smooth Onboarding Process
Once you’ve chosen a provider, the next step is getting them up to speed. A smooth onboarding process sets the tone for your outsourcing arrangement and gives your external team the information they need to contribute effectively from day one.
Here’s a simple onboarding checklist to follow:
Step 1: Introduce Your Business
Give your new hire a quick overview of your brand, mission, and who your key stakeholders are. Share your core products or services, target audience, and key business goals.
Step 2: Share Project Scope and Responsibilities
Outline the specific tasks they’ll be handling and how it ties into broader business operations. Let them know who to report to, what the priorities are, and what expected outcomes look like.
Step 3: Provide Tools and Access
Grant access to the platforms and files they’ll need. This may include content calendars, task managers, brand assets, or tools for performance monitoring. Don’t forget permissions and passwords—securely shared, of course.
Step 4: Review Communication Protocols
Let them know how to reach you and when. Set expectations around check-in calls, reporting frequency, file formats, and feedback loops. Clear communication upfront supports smooth collaboration later.
Step 5: Walk Through Recurring Tasks
If the role includes routine work, provide step-by-step guides or short video walk-throughs. This improves accuracy and cuts down on back-and-forth questions.
Step 6: Set Milestones and KPIs
Establish measurable checkpoints. This helps you track progress, spot gaps early, and reinforce the success of your outsourcing strategy.
Even if you’re onboarding just one person, treat it seriously. A thoughtful start builds trust, improves retention, and helps you get the most out of your outsourcing partner.
7. Assign a Point Person Internally
Outsourcing helps ease the workload, but it doesn’t mean your team can go completely hands-off. To keep things running smoothly, someone on your end needs to take ownership of the process. This point person becomes the bridge between your outsourcing partner and your internal team—and they play a big role in maintaining business continuity.
The person in this role doesn’t need to manage the actual work. Their job is to make sure communication flows, milestones are tracked, and that both teams are aligned on the same priorities. They’ll handle questions, clarify requirements, and make quick decisions when needed. This helps the project move forward without unnecessary delays or confusion.
If you’re working with multiple outsourcing vendors or managing several projects at once, the point person becomes even more important. They’ll oversee timelines, flag potential blockers, and keep the work connected to your bigger picture—your campaigns, your business goals, or your broader outsourcing strategy.
This person could be you, especially if you’re a small business owner. But as your team grows, it’s worth assigning someone from your in-house staff who understands the project and has time to manage it. Ideally, they’re detail-oriented, comfortable with digital tools, and capable of giving feedback with clarity. They’ll also be in charge of monitoring outputs, helping you track progress against your defined key performance indicators, and updating your key stakeholders when needed.
Without someone in this role, even the best outsourcing arrangements can stall. Things slip through the cracks. Timelines drag out. Questions go unanswered. But with the right point person in place, your outsourcing endeavour stays focused, productive, and aligned with your ongoing business growth.
8. Set Up a Feedback Loop
Once your project begins, don’t expect everything to fall into place without ongoing communication. Even with a strong brief and a capable outsourcing partner, consistent feedback is what keeps the work aligned with your original outsourcing strategy. This is especially important if you’re working with a remote team or across multiple time zones, where small miscommunications can lead to delays, rework, or missed opportunities.
Establish a regular rhythm for check-ins—weekly or fortnightly sessions work well for most small businesses. These meetings are your chance to review the latest outputs, ask questions, clarify next steps, and address any concerns early. They also give your outsourcing manager or internal point person an opportunity to flag changes in scope, adjust timelines, or highlight shifts in business goals. Without this feedback loop, your outsourcing arrangement may drift off course, and you’ll lose visibility over how the work is progressing.
Make use of shared digital tools to support these reviews. Platforms like Trello, ClickUp, Notion, or Google Sheets make it easier to document feedback, assign action items, and track progress on deliverables. These tools are especially useful when multiple people are involved on either side, as they help reduce errors and keep conversations focused.
By consistently reviewing the work and sharing your insights, you’re helping the team refine and improve. Over time, this builds stronger working relationships, clearer communication, and more reliable outcomes. It also gives you measurable ways to assess performance against your key performance indicators, identify new business process improvements, and make smarter decisions about your next steps. A strong feedback loop is not just about quality control—it’s one of the key benefits of outsourcing done right.
9. Start Small and Scale Up
The best way to approach outsourcing—especially for small or growing businesses—is to start with something simple. Test the waters with one task or one deliverable. This allows you to assess how well the process works, whether the output meets your expected outcomes, and how smoothly the collaboration runs without committing to a full team right away.
By starting small, you reduce risk and avoid unnecessary pressure. You get a feel for the communication style, the work quality, and how your outsourcing partner fits into your existing business process. From there, it’s easier to identify what else can be handed off, where you can gain more support, and how to scale in a way that actually supports your business growth.
If you’re not ready to manage everything yourself, I also offer a no-obligation managed service option. You can have me lead the project directly and bring in the right people from my network—writers, SEO specialists, designers, or other creatives—depending on your needs. You don’t have to deal with multiple freelancers or manage the team yourself. It’s a simple way to scale while keeping your focus on what matters most in your business. No long-term lock-ins, no hiring headaches—just support when you need it.
This approach works well for business owners who want the benefits of outsourcing—like lower labour costs, specialised skills, and flexibility—without having to build and manage a team from scratch. It also gives you full visibility on progress and lets you track performance without the stress of overseeing every moving part.
Scaling doesn’t need to be rushed. Start small, stay in control, and grow the support system that works best for you.
10. Watch the Metrics That Matter
Once your outsourcing is underway, you need a way to measure whether it’s delivering real results. Metrics help you evaluate performance, spot issues early, and adjust your strategy if needed. Without clear tracking, even the best-looking work might not be contributing to your business goals.
Every task or role should have specific performance indicators attached to it. These metrics should be tied directly to your expected outcomes and revisited regularly. They keep both your internal team and your outsourcing partner accountable and focused on outcomes that drive business growth.
Here are some examples of metrics you can track:
- Content creation: traffic growth, time on page, bounce rate, number of leads
- SEO: keyword rankings, technical error fixes, organic impressions, domain authority
- Customer support: response time, resolution time, customer satisfaction scores
- Admin tasks or back office support: task completion rate, accuracy, turnaround time
- Social media management: follower growth, post reach, engagement rate
Use these metrics to inform your decision-making and identify areas that may need more support or restructuring. Good data also helps you respond to market trends, maintain a competitive advantage, and refine your outsourcing strategy as your goals evolve.
11. Revisit and Optimize Your Strategy
Outsourcing is never a set-and-forget arrangement. As your business grows, your needs will change. It’s worth reviewing your outsourcing strategy every few months to see what’s still working, where you’re seeing strong results, and where you might need to make adjustments.
Use what you’ve learned to refine the process, improve communication, and get even more out of your outsourcing partner. That’s how you turn outsourcing from a short-term fix into a long-term growth driver.
Ready to Make Outsourcing Work for You?
Outsourcing is a smart, flexible way to scale your business—when done with a clear strategy. Start small, document everything, track progress, and adapt as you grow. With the right structure in place, you’ll gain time, access to skilled talent, and a stronger foundation for long-term business success.
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Book a Consultation here.
FAQs about Hiring an SEO
How much does it cost to outsource SEO and content marketing?
The cost depends on the level of support you need. My hourly rate starts at $10, but I also offer monthly retainer options for ongoing campaigns. Whether it’s a one-time audit or full-scale SEO and content management, you’ll get transparent pricing with no hidden fees—just results aligned with your budget and goals.
What’s the difference between hiring in-house and outsourcing?
Hiring in-house means you’ll take on salaries, onboarding, training, and operational costs. Outsourcing, on the other hand, gives you access to specialised skills—like SEO strategy or content production—without long-term commitments. It’s a cost-effective way to scale your marketing without the burden of managing a full team or investing in tools and infrastructure.
Can I start small and scale later?
Absolutely. Many of my long-term clients started with a single task—like a content refresh or keyword research. Once they saw the results, they gradually expanded to full SEO support and regular content creation. Outsourcing is designed to be flexible, so you can scale services up or down as your business needs evolve.
How do you communicate and manage projects remotely?
I keep things organised and efficient using tools like Trello, Google Drive, Slack, WhatsApp and email. Weekly check-ins or monthly reports can be arranged based on your preference. Despite working remotely, I function like an extended team member—keeping you informed, hitting deadlines, and ensuring all deliverables meet your standards.
Do you work with agencies or just direct clients?
I work with both. Agencies often outsource the production side to me while they manage client strategy and communication. For direct clients—whether B2B or B2C—I usually handle everything from planning to publishing. This setup allows you to maintain control while tapping into expert execution behind the scenes.
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