The success mantra for a great business is always hidden behind the curtains of one important function of a business – The Delivery Model.
In this article I would guide you to the delivery model quadrant for a successful SEO business.
Delivery is the Key to Success
Like any other service business, SEO / Digital Marketing is also a highly competitive market, full of contrast. While few agencies struggle to get clients at a meager $250/mo, some are able to refuse to take clients below $5000/mo.
And this stark difference is not new in any industry. The one thing that differentiates the market leaders from the strugglers, is their ability to deliver the results to their clients.
No wonder, clients love the agencies who can guarantee their success through amazing results – month after month. And yet, given the competition in the market, most agencies find it difficult to invest in improving their delivery capability, in most cases, due to short of
The Delivery Quadrant (DQ)
That is why it is important to understand the delivery quadrant (DQ) for this industry, to ensure that you choose the right delivery model to deliver the right clients, to get good margins, to reinvest in your success.
The 4 Delivery Models in IFOO
The IFOO Delivery Quadrant focus on understanding the 4 delivery models that are widely accepted in the SEO / Digital Marketing Industry, with respect to their advantages and disadvantages to ensure success.
- In-House Team
- Freelancing
- Outsourcing and
- Offshore Delivery Centre
(I) Hiring the In-House Team
Hiring a talented in-house team is the first choice in most of the agencies, while choosing the delivery mechanism. When it comes to assuring delivery, having a tight control over the people becomes obvious priority for most managers. However, it may not always become the right decision considering the limitations.
Pros:
- Gives high control over the team
- The entire team is at one place
- Discussions & Brain-storing is easy
Cons:
- Depends on hiring local talent, which may not be available
- Most Expensive, due to additional costs like employee benefits, space occupation etc.
- Not scalable – as it requires long hiring process
(II) Hiring Freelancers
When you want to have a resource available quickly but do not want to have a monitory commitment for a paycheck, the first option managers run for is hiring a freelancer. Although, freelancing has become a booming trend in
Pros:
- No fixed commitment
- No hiring agency required
- Cheap rates
Cons:
- No loyalty to one customer, as they handle multiple projects
- No documentation or standard processes
- Personal priorities / issues can overshadow project work
(III) Outsourcing
A lot has been said and criticized about this delivery model in the SEO industry, yet every time an agency sees an opportunity to subcontract the work, they can not resist the thought of the additions it can do to their bottom-line.
Pros:
- Proven model of successful delivery in IT & BPO for 30+ years
- No hassles of hiring, infrastructure management & project management
- Adds good margins to your bottom-line, if done with the right partner.
Cons:
- ZERO control over the resource selection – which is the most critical factor for a successful project in Digital Marketing industry
- ZERO control over the project & process – but unfortunately, process is the key that deliver results in this industry.
- Lack of transparency, investments in improvement and cultural disparity.
(IV) Offshore Delivery Center
From Financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, to Silicon Valley App-based Start-ups, this model has already shown significant superiority over the others for potential for success in the Delivery Models.
Pros:
- Full Control – it gives you total control over selecting your team, and running your processes, to ensure project success.
- Fully Managed – the ODC provider takes care of the space, maintenance, infrastructure management and admin chores.
- Highly Profitable – ODC provides the most profitable delivery model, by saving almost 50% of your budget compared to the in-house.
- Lowest Risks – the ODC model gives a high profit low risks working culture, where you can hire a loyal team, dedicated to working on your project, in a highly secure environment.
Cons:
- Requires your commitment to success, as it requires your direct involvement.
- Requires training – the team requires time to time training (usually arranged by the ODC provider) to improve their skills and knowledge. (Which is actually a good advantage for you.)
- Require strategic vision – you need a good strategy and plan for growth to maximize the benefits the ODC brings to your business.
The Delivery Quadrant for Digital Marketing Industry
The above Delivery Quadrant, summarize all the 4 delivery models in a quick snapshot, with respect to Scalability and Control & Security.
It quickly shows us the key features of all the models.
- In-house Hiring – High Control, Low Scalability
- Freelancers – Low Control, Low Scalability
- Outsourcing – Low Control, High Scalability
- ODC – High Control & Security, High Scalability
Conclusion
When compared for the key 3 important elements that bring success to your project, the ODC model is a clear winner.
- Control – if you are in the full control of the resources and processes, and
- Security – if the model ensures high security of your data.
- Scalability – if the model is scalable for future requirements
To know more benefits an ODC model can offer to your Digital Marketing Agency, check out this page.
To set-up your ODC with your highly professional team of experts, contact CYBRIDGE.
