“It’s not what you sell that matters as much as how you sell it,” says HubSpot’s CEO Brian Halligan.

These words highlight a fundamental truth in business: great marketing can make all the difference between success and failure. 

In 21st-century marketing, your online presence is everything! 

However, digital marketing has become complex. It requires expertise in everything from search engine optimization to social media strategy, content creation, and data analytics. 

For many businesses, handling all these aspects in-house is like attempting to be a jack of all trades—and master of none.

That’s why smart businesses are turning to outsourcing.

But before you take this step, you must understand what digital marketing outsourcing means and whether it’s right for your business.

TL;DR—Should You Outsource Your Digital Marketing? 

Outsourcing digital marketing can be a smart move if:

• You want to access specialized expertise without the overhead of hiring in-house
• Your marketing needs are growing beyond your current team’s capacity
• You’re looking to reduce costs
• You need to scale your marketing efforts quickly

However, it might not be ideal if:

• You require minute-by-minute control over all marketing decisions
• Your industry has extremely specific compliance requirements
• You have a strong in-house team that’s already delivering results

Here at Crackerjack Marketing, we help business teams make their digital marketing more human. We handle everything from content and SEO to social media and even entire marketing strategies. 

Since 2010, we’ve been helping brands stand out and connect with the right people.

Want to take marketing off your plate and focus on what you do best? Let’s chat about how we can lift your brand and help you reach your goals!

What is Digital Marketing Outsourcing?

Outsourcing means delegating business activities to external partners instead of handling them in-house.

Digital marketing outsourcing refers to entrusting an external agency or freelance consultants with part or all of a company’s online advertising, content, social media, SEO, and other digital marketing efforts.

It provides access to specialized expertise and tech tools that may not be available internally. It also offers greater efficiency and cost benefits versus building in-house teams.

Commonly outsourced services include:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising
• Social media management
• Email marketing
• Web analytics and conversion optimization

Outsourcing levels range from minimal (Level 1) to total dependence (Level 5):

Outsourcing Level	Description	Example
Level 1—All in-house	Handle all marketing internally	A large company with a big in-house marketing team
Level 2—Outsource specialist tasks	Outsource specific expert tasks like web development	Small business outsourcing graphic design
Level 3—Outsource specialist functions	Focus internally on routine tasks, outsource specialized functions	A mid-sized company handling content in-house but outsourcing SEO
Level 4—Outsource most specialist functions + some routine	Small in-house team for key operations, outsource specialized tasks	Startup with 1 in-house marketer outsourcing PPC, email marketing, etc.
Level 5—Fully outsourced	Entrust all marketing operations and strategy to external partners	An early-stage company fully relying on an outsourced marketing agency

In-House vs. Outsourcing Digital Marketing

Let’s break down the key differences between keeping your digital marketing in-house versus outsourcing:

Aspect	In-House	Outsourcing
Cost	Higher fixed costs (salaries, benefits, training)	Lower variable costs, pay for what you need
Expertise	Limited to team members’ skills	Access to diverse specialist knowledge
Control	Direct, immediate control	Strategic oversight with less direct control
Scalability	Requires hiring and training	Easily scalable based on needs
Brand Knowledge	Deep understanding	Requires time to build familiarity

The numbers tell an interesting story about where the industry is heading. 

Recent research from Harvard Business Review found that external partners and agencies now handle 32% of all digital marketing work. 

This number jumps even higher to 45% for companies selling consumer products. 

Businesses have historically not built in-house digital teams, especially given the difficulty of finding and keeping top marketing talent.

Benefits of Outsourcing Digital Marketing

Let’s talk about money first—because that’s probably what you’re most curious about. 

When you outsource your digital marketing, you’ll save a significant chunk of change. 

Think about it: no more paying for full-time salaries, expensive software subscriptions, or training programs. Instead, you only pay for what you need when you need it. 

Take hiring a content marketing agency, for example.

According to a cost analysis by Clutch, one in-house content marketer costs approximately $61,575 annually. 

A full content marketing team would need multiple specialists (including strategists, writers, and editors). Hiring just 4-5 team members could easily cost $250,000+ annually.

Meanwhile, the report mentions that hiring a content marketing agency typically runs around $5,000 per month or $60,000 annually for a baseline program.

That’s potentially 76% savings compared to maintaining a minimal in-house team! 

You’ll also have access to some serious brainpower. Digital marketing agencies like Crackerjack Marketing have specialized think tanks—we live and breathe this stuff every day!

Here’s what you get:

• A team of experts who know the latest marketing trends
• Access to premium tools and software without buying them yourself
• Fresh perspectives from people who work across different industries
• Regular updates and insights about what’s working in digital marketing

Time is another huge benefit. 

Running your own business is already a full-time job (and then some). Marketing agencies can take this massive task off your plate while you focus on what you do best—running your business. 

Want to know the really cool part about outsourcing? It’s super flexible. You can:

• Scale up your marketing during busy seasons
• Pull back when things are slower
• Try new marketing channels without long-term commitments
• Adjust your strategy based on what’s working

The results speak for themselves. 

With outsourced marketing, you’re not just getting someone to post on social media or write blog posts. You’re getting data-driven strategies that actually work. 

Agencies track everything (and I mean everything)—from how many people visit your website to which ads are bringing in the most sales. 

They use this information to keep improving your results month after month.

Remember those tools I mentioned earlier? 

Most good marketing agencies use advanced analytics software that would cost you thousands to buy on your own. 

They’ll show you exactly what’s working and what isn’t!

Types of Digital Marketing Services That Can Be Outsourced

Nearly any digital marketing activity can be outsourced to an external consultant or agency partner. 

Commonly outsourced services include:

Content Marketing

Creating valuable information that your customers actually want to read or watch is what content marketing is all about.

A good agency will help you tell your brand’s story through blog posts, videos, and eye-catching graphics. They’ll create a content marketing engine that consistently delivers value.

They’ll ensure everything you publish speaks directly to your target audience and keeps them returning for more. 

Expect to invest between $1,000 and $20,000 monthly, depending on how much content you need.

SEO Services

Think of SEO as making your website more visible to potential customers. 

Your outsourced team will handle the technical stuff (like fixing website issues that Google doesn’t like), create content that ranks well in search results, and build relationships with other websites to boost your authority. 

This typically costs between $350 and $2,000 per month.

Paid Advertising

An agency can manage your Google Ads and other online advertising campaigns. 

They’ll handle everything from choosing the right keywords to designing eye-catching ads—whether it’s helping you advertise on Snapchat like a pro, PPC campaigns on Amazon, or running targeted Google campaigns. 

They’ll make sure you’re getting the best return on your investment. 

The cost of PPC advertising depends on your business size and what chunk of your revenue you’re willing to spend on advertising.

Social Media Marketing

This is more than just posting updates on Facebook or Twitter. 

Your agency will create engaging posts, respond to comments, run paid ads, and even work with influencers to promote your brand. 

From social media marketing for e-commerce businesses to B2B campaigns, experienced agencies know how to adapt strategies for different industries. 

They’ll help you build a community around your business and keep your followers engaged. 

This service usually runs between $900 and $20,000 monthly, based on how many platforms you want to be active on.

LinkedIn Marketing

LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professional branding and B2B connections. 

This specialized form of social media marketing requires understanding the platform’s unique algorithms and expectations of a professional audience.

Effective LinkedIn marketing involves creating thought leadership content, optimizing profiles, engaging with industry conversations, and building strategic connections. 

When done right, it can:

• Position executives as authorities in their field
• Generate high-quality business leads
• Build trust with potential clients and partners
• Create cohesive messaging across company leadership
• Expand professional networks with meaningful connections

Many businesses struggle to maintain consistent, high-quality LinkedIn content while running their core operations. 

The platform offers tremendous opportunities but requires strategic management and content that truly resonates with professional audiences.

Email Marketing

Finally, there’s Email Marketing—a fantastic way to stay in touch with your customers. 

Your outsourced team will help you build your email list, create newsletters that people want to read and track the performance of your emails. 

The best part? 

It’s one of the more affordable services, usually costing between $300 and $2,500 monthly.

More specialized services include graphic design, influencer marketing, PR, marketing automation, and even high-level strategy.

Remember, you don’t have to outsource everything at once. 

You can start with one or two services and expand as you see results. The key is choosing the services that will have the biggest impact on your specific business goals.

Marketing doesn’t have to be boring or templated. At Crackerjack Marketing, we create magnetized presences for B2B businesses through creative strategies that actually connect with humans.

Our team delivers a full range of digital marketing solutions, including:

• Content marketing that sparks genuine interest
• SEO and blogs that boost your visibility
• Social media strategies that create real engagement
• Digital advertising that reaches the right audiences
• Email marketing that people actually open
• Comprehensive digital marketing strategies that move the needle

We’re the senior-level marketers who take the puzzle pieces of marketing off your plate so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.Want marketing that gives you elevated visibility, quality leads, and measurable results? Spark a conversation with us, and let’s ignite your brand’s success.

How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency

Picking the right digital marketing agency is a lot like choosing a business partner. You need someone who understands your vision and has the skills to help you achieve it. 

Before you start searching for agencies, you need to know exactly what you want to achieve. 

Think about where your business needs to be in the next year:

• Do you want to double your website traffic? 
• Get more sales leads? 
• Boost your social media presence?

Write down your specific goals and how much you’re willing to invest to achieve them. 

This isn’t just about budget—it’s about understanding your diverse buyer personas and what success looks like for your business. 

Having clear goals will help you find an agency that specializes in exactly what you need.

Here are the selection criteria you need to consider:

• Industry Experience: Have they achieved proven wins for clients in your niche? Identical experience isn’t essential, but some background helps.
• Portfolio: What past work have they executed successfully? Check for case studies, examples, and client stories.
• Reviews: Third-party testimonials on sites like Clutch provide authentic proof of competence, communication, and ethics.
• Pricing Transparency: Trustworthy agencies provide transparent pricing and scope expectations upfront—not vague promises.
• Cultural Fit: The relationship and communication flow between teams is integral to success. Assess alignment.
• Specialist Capabilities: Do they possess clear strengths and skills in areas matching your primary needs? Depth matters over generalist breadth.

Vet multiple prospects through requests for proposals, scoping calls, and in-person meetings before selecting a partner aligned with vision and values.

Best Practices for Managing Outsourced Digital Marketing

Once you’ve found your perfect digital marketing partner, you’ll want to make sure the relationship runs smoothly. 

Taking inspiration from the habits of top digital brands, here are the key practices that will help you get the most out of your outsourced marketing team:

• Clear Expectations From Day One: Start by creating a detailed document that outlines exactly what you want to achieve. Include your goals, preferred communication style, and how often you want updates. The more precise you are about what success looks like for your business, the better your agency can deliver results.
• Regular Communication Channels: Set up a communication schedule that works for both teams. It may be weekly video calls or bi-weekly progress reports, so ensure everyone knows when and how to stay in touch. Many successful partnerships use project management tools like Asana or Trello to keep everything organized in one place. You can ask the partner to onboard you on a dedicated Slack channel for communication.
• Performance Tracking That Makes Sense: Work with your agency to establish metrics that truly matter for your business. Don’t just track random numbers—focus on measurements that directly relate to your business goals. For example, if you’re trying to increase sales, look at conversion rates rather than website traffic.
• Building a True Partnership: The most successful outsourcing relationships happen when you treat your agency as part of your team, not just a vendor. Share your business updates, upcoming plans, and industry insights with them. When your agency understands your business deeply, it can provide better, more targeted marketing strategies.

Managing an outsourced team is different from managing in-house employees, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Pro Tip: Schedule a monthly strategy meeting with your agency to review progress and adjust plans as needed. This helps keep everyone aligned and ensures no one is taken for granted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s address some common questions about digital marketing outsourcing.

How Much Does It Cost to Outsource Digital Marketing?

Costs vary based on effort, agency size, and outsourcing level, ranging from $1000 to $15,000+ monthly. Large firms cost more but provide full-service support. 

Focus areas like content/social media have lower base costs. Setup fees, minimum commitments, and retention costs are also factors.

What Metrics Should Businesses Focus on When Outsourcing Digital Marketing?

Key metrics to track include:

• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
• Conversion rates
• Website traffic growth
• Engagement metrics
• Lead quality and quantity

Both sides should agree on the best KPIs to track, as well as targeting and reporting cadences upfront.

What Happens If a Digital Marketing Agency Doesn’t Deliver on Agreed-Upon KPIs?

First, look at priorities, resources, and timelines to understand why. Sometimes, a lack of expertise is not the reason—find out the “why” first!

For example, a Google algorithm update could unexpectedly impact rankings and traffic if you’re using SEO services. Social media algorithm changes may impede audience growth.

Learning how to help your marketing agency do a better job can often resolve performance issues before they become serious problems.

However, if underperformance continues even after both sides try their best, there may be a mismatch between what was expected and what can be delivered based on the budget. 

Consider changing requirements or finding a different agency partner in that case.

Conclusion

Digital marketing outsourcing can be a game-changer when done right. It combines expert skills with cost efficiency, letting you focus on running your business while specialists handle your online presence.

At Crackerjack Marketing, we take a different approach to B2B marketing—one that’s human, magnetic, and results-driven. 

Since 2010, we’ve been lifting brands higher through our comprehensive services—from content marketing and SEO to social media management, email campaigns, and digital advertising.

As senior-level marketers (no interns here!), we bring international expertise from our teams in Chicago, Mumbai, and Barcelona to companies across industries, including tech, financial services, and professional services.

Ready to make your marketing more effective? Get in touch and tell us your marketing dreams.