Running a digital agency involves constant decisions. One of the biggest ones we’ve faced is whether to handle SEO work ourselves or use a trusted SEO reseller agency. If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking the same question—what’s going to work better for your agency this year?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but based on what we’ve seen (and tried ourselves), both sides have clear pros and cons. Let’s walk through it from our experience so you can figure out what makes sense for your setup.
Doing SEO In-House: What You’re Signing Up For
We started with in-house SEO because we wanted control. When you do everything yourself, you feel fully responsible for the results. You know who’s writing the content, who’s building the links, and how every report is being handled.
But it didn’t take long before things started to feel heavy.
Hiring the right people took months. Even after we built a solid team, we had to deal with sick days, missed deadlines, team turnover, and the pressure of always staying updated. SEO changes fast—what worked last year might not work this year.
And let’s be honest: Finding one person who’s good at technical SEO, on-page work, content writing, and reporting is nearly impossible. Most people are good at one or two things. So, we had to hire multiple people to cover the full scope, which meant more salaries, tools, and management.
If you’re a small or growing agency, this can quickly stretch your budget and time.
The Case for Using an SEO Reseller Agency
After a few years of juggling everything ourselves, we decided to test a different approach. We partnered with an SEO reseller agency for a few of our lower-budget clients, and the results were pretty surprising.
First off, the speed was noticeable. They already had writers, link builders, and SEO managers in place. We didn’t have to post job ads or train anyone. We just submitted our client details, and things started moving right away.
Second, we finally had space to focus on our strengths. Instead of getting buried in keyword research or fixing broken links, we concentrate on sales and client communication. That shift alone helped us grow faster.
The pricing was also better than we expected. With fixed packages, we could clearly see what we were spending per client—and it was often cheaper than trying to do it all in-house. There were no surprises, no hidden costs.
We still double-check the reports and keep our standards high, but the day-to-day work is handled by a team that lives and breathes SEO.
What You Might Miss by Outsourcing
It’s not all perfect, though. When you work with an SEO reseller agency, you give up some control. You trust someone else to deliver work that represents your brand.
That means you need to choose your partner wisely. Not all SEO resellers are the same. We tested a few before finding one that understood our quality standards and worked with us like a real extension of our team.
Also, outsourcing might not feel as personal if your clients like to be hands-on or want to speak directly to the SEO team. You’ll need to act as the middle person—which some clients are fine with, but others may not like.
So, Which One’s Better in 2025?
Here’s our honest take: if you’re a small or mid-sized agency trying to grow without burning out, using an SEO reseller agency can make your life easier. It frees up your time, cuts overhead costs, and gives you access to a whole team without the hiring headache.
On the other hand, if you’ve already built a strong in-house team and have the systems in place, keeping SEO under your roof might give you the needed control.
The best choice really depends on your current setup, your budget, and your goals for the year.
Tips From What We’ve Learned
If you’re leaning toward hiring in-house:
If you’re leaning toward using a reseller:
Either way, remember it’s not about doing everything yourself. It’s about doing what works best for your business and your clients.
Where We Stand Today
At Digital Agency Reseller, we’ve found a nice balance. We still keep a small internal team for high-touch clients, but we rely on our trusted reseller partners for the bulk of our SEO work. This has helped us take on more clients, keep costs steady, and spend more time building relationships—which is what we’re best at.
Don’t overthink it if you’re stuck between doing it all or handing it off. Test what works, listen to your clients, and focus on delivering steady results. That’s what matters most.