You’ve been doing everything. Running your business, writing the posts, boosting the ads, replying to comments, and trying to understand what Google wants from your website. Sound familiar?
You’re not the only one. As of 2024, over 60% of all marketing is now digital, and demand for digital marketing jobs is expected to grow by 10% by 2026. That means businesses are putting more money and energy into being seen online and it’s only getting more competitive.
So here’s the big question: Should you build an in-house team, or partner with a digital marketing agency?
For a lot of small and mid-sized businesses, outsourcing has become the smarter move. Why? Because it can cut marketing costs by up to 30%, while giving access to a much broader skill set than one or two full-time hires.
Let’s take a closer look at why more businesses are choosing to work with agencies instead of hiring everything in-house.
A Full Team Without Full-Time Salaries
Most businesses don’t have the budget to hire a dedicated expert for SEO, one for PPC, another for content, and another for analytics. But that’s exactly what today’s marketing needs. One person can’t do it all well, not anymore.
When you hire a digital marketing agency, you’re not just paying for a service. You’re getting a team. People who live and breathe this stuff. The SEO expert works alongside the content writer. The social media manager coordinates with the ad strategist. It’s a full crew, working together, already trained, and already in sync.
Better yet, these people stay on top of changes. Google updates an algorithm? They’re already adapting your strategy. A new ad format rolls out? They’re testing it. Agencies deal with trends, tools, and platforms every single day, and they bring that experience straight to your business.
A Quick Comparison
Hiring a full-time digital marketing manager can easily cost $60,000 or more per year. That’s one person, with one skill set, and limited time. For that same amount, an agency could give you:
- A dedicated account manager
- An SEO specialist
- A PPC strategist
- A content writer
- A designer or video editor
- And access to reporting and analytics tools
All working toward your goals without the extra costs of onboarding, training, or benefits.
Save Money Without Cutting Corners
A lot of business owners assume hiring an agency will be expensive. But when you add up the true cost of building your own in-house team, the numbers tell a different story.
The Hidden Costs of Doing It All Internally
Hiring even one full-time marketing employee means more than just their salary. You’ll also need to cover benefits, paid time off, recruitment costs, and the time it takes to train them. And that’s before you even buy the tools they’ll need to do their job.
Most agencies already have access to professional tools for SEO, paid ads, email marketing, analytics, and design, tools that could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month if you were paying for them yourself.
Then there’s the time factor. Recruiting, onboarding, and managing employees takes time away from growing your business.
The Agency Advantage
Working with a digital agency helps cut those extra costs. Research shows that small businesses can reduce their marketing spend by up to 30% just by outsourcing. You’re only paying for the services you actually need, and nothing more.
There are no sick days to cover, no unexpected turnover, and no surprise costs when someone leaves the team. Everything is handled for you.
And because most agencies offer monthly packages, it’s much easier to plan your budget. You can scale things up during a busy season or scale back if needed (no long-term commitments required).
Use Better Tools Without the Extra Cost
Modern marketing depends on tools. From keyword research to email automation, it’s hard to compete without the right software. But for small businesses, buying and learning all of these tools can be overwhelming.
A single SEO platform can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per month. Add social media schedulers, analytics dashboards, email services, and design tools and suddenly you’re spending thousands each year just to keep up.
Even if you can afford them, most of these tools come with a steep learning curve. It takes time to understand how to use them properly. And time is something most small business owners don’t have.
That’s where agencies come in. They already have access to the top-tier tools, and they know how to use them. You’re not paying extra for subscriptions, setup, or training. You’re just getting results.
Better tools also mean better insights. Agencies can show you what’s working, what’s not, and where your best leads are coming from. This isn’t guesswork, it’s real data that helps you make smarter decisions and get more from your marketing efforts.
Focus on Your Business, Not Just the Marketing
Running a business already takes a lot of time. Add marketing to the mix, and it can quickly start pulling you away from what you do best. Whether it’s product development, customer service, or managing day-to-day operations, marketing often becomes a distraction that demands constant attention.
Good marketing isn’t a one-time task. It needs regular updates, testing, and optimization to keep performing well. For most business owners, that time just doesn’t exist.
When you work with a digital marketing agency, you get that time back. Agencies have systems in place to launch campaigns faster because they’ve done it all before. They know what works, and they don’t need weeks to figure it out.
Some agencies even operate across different time zones, so your marketing is running while you’re sleeping. That’s progress happening around the clock, without burning you out.
Agencies are also built for scale. You don’t need to hire, onboard, or train new people as your business grows. If your needs double, they can often handle it without missing a beat. That kind of flexibility is hard to find in an in-house setup.
Know What’s Working with Clear Reporting
One of the biggest challenges with marketing is knowing what’s working. Most business owners don’t have time to log into analytics dashboards or dig through spreadsheets. Without proper tracking and insights, it’s hard to tell if your budget is being spent wisely or wasted.
That’s where agencies step in with clear, regular reporting. And not just raw numbers. Good agencies give you summaries you can actually understand, focused on what matters most to your business.
They track ROI, not just clicks and impressions. You’ll know where your leads are coming from, which campaigns are driving sales, and what needs to change. Instead of feeling in the dark, you’ll have a clear view of your marketing performance.
There’s also accountability. With monthly check-ins and reports, your agency keeps things moving forward. You’re not left wondering what’s happening behind the scenes. You get updates, recommendations, and results all tied to your business goals.
Marketing isn’t just about activity. It’s about progress. And clear, consistent reporting is how you measure that progress.
See Your Brand from a New Perspective
When you’re deep into running your business every day, it’s easy to miss things that are right in front of you. Internal teams often get used to doing things a certain way, which can lead to missed opportunities or outdated strategies.
Agencies bring a fresh set of eyes. Because they’re not involved in your daily operations, they can look at your brand the way your customers do. That outside perspective is valuable as it highlights what’s working, what’s not, and where there’s room to grow.
Good agencies also bring ideas and strategies from working with other businesses like yours. They aren’t limited by “this is how we’ve always done it.” Instead, they look at what’s effective right now and adapt it to your goals.
Since agencies work across different industries, they often spot trends early sometimes before your competitors even know they’re happening. That kind of insight helps you stay one step ahead.
Get Results Faster Without the Trial and Error
Every new marketing channel has a learning curve. Whether it’s paid ads, SEO, or email campaigns, it takes time to learn what works. And mistakes during that learning phase can cost you money.
Agencies don’t need to start from scratch. They’ve already tested different strategies and know what delivers results. That means your campaigns are set up properly from day one.
Instead of wasting time figuring things out, agencies launch with a clear plan and proven tactics. They also make sure your marketing channels work together. From social media and Google Ads to email newsletters and website content, creating a smoother customer journey and better targeting.
This experience translates to faster results. You’ll spend less time testing and more time seeing actual performance improvements.
Stay Flexible as Your Business Grows
Business is never static. Some months are slower, others are busier than ever. A good agency understands that and adjusts with you.
As your business changes, your marketing needs shift too. Whether you’re gearing up for a busy season or trying to navigate a downturn, agencies are built to pivot. They can scale your campaigns up when things are going well and streamline when you need to cut back.
You’re not starting from zero each time. Agencies build on what’s already working. Over time, they refine the strategy, adjust the focus, and bring in new ideas that align with your long-term goals.
That kind of support becomes even more valuable as your business grows. You’re not just hiring someone to run ads, you’re building a marketing partnership that helps guide your business through every stage of growth.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know the answer.
For many businesses, hiring a digital marketing agency is one of the smartest moves they can make. It gives you access to a full team of experienced professionals who know how to get results, without the pressure of building and managing that team yourself.
Instead of juggling every marketing task on your own, you get time back to focus on what you do best. Campaigns are handled faster, decisions are backed by data, and strategies are built around your goals. You also avoid the hidden costs of training, software, and turnover.
As your business grows, an agency can grow with you. The support you get is flexible, reliable, and designed to adapt as your needs change.
And if you’re looking for a team that can take care of your marketing without overcomplicating things, Plyxio is always here to help. Whether you’re starting small or planning your next big move, we’ll meet you where you are and build from there.
