When I first decided to boost my website’s online visibility, I quickly discovered how complex the world of SEO can be. As a small business owner in Texas, I wanted to find the right partner to help my business stand out online. To understand what really works, I tried three different types of SEO services: local SEO agencies, freelance SEO consultants, and large digital marketing firms.
In this post, I’ll share what each type offered, the results I saw, what worked, what didn’t — and my honest recommendations for anyone investing in SEO in Texas.
Contents
- Why I Tried Multiple SEO Services
- The Three Types of SEO Services I Tested
- My Goals and Metrics
- The Process: What Each Service Did
- Results After Three Months
- Cost Comparison
- Key Takeaways & Recommendations
- Final Thoughts
Why I Tried Multiple SEO Services
Like many entrepreneurs, I had some basic SEO knowledge but lacked the expertise to compete seriously online. Texas is home to countless SEO providers — from small local experts to large digital firms — and I wanted to know which approach truly delivers results.
So, I committed three months to each service type, keeping my goals consistent. My mission: discover which option produced real business impact, not just higher rankings.
The Three Types of SEO Services I Tried
1. Local SEO Agencies
I started with a reputable Austin-based local SEO agency one of the well-known SEO agencies in Texas specializing in small and mid-sized businesses. Their strategy centered around local search dominance — optimizing Google Business Profiles, generating reviews, building local citations, and improving map visibility.
2. Freelance SEO Consultants
Next, I hired a freelancer from Dallas with strong Upwork reviews and a proven track record with small business sites. Freelancers often offer flexibility and personalized support, so I wanted to see if that level of attention could drive measurable growth.
3. Big Digital Marketing Firms
Lastly, I partnered with a large Houston-based marketing agency that included SEO within a broader digital strategy — covering PPC, social media, and content marketing. Their pitch was all about synergy and long-term growth.
My Goals and Metrics
For each provider, I set the same clear targets:
- Increase organic traffic by 30% in three months
- Improve rankings for 10 primary keywords
- Boost qualified leads from my website’s contact form
- Enhance Google Business Profile engagement
I tracked results using Google Analytics, Search Console, and my CRM system.
The Process: What Each Service Did
Local SEO Agency
The Austin agency began with a full website and GBP audit. Their main tactics included:
- Cleaning and claiming business directory listings
- Building local citations (Yelp, BBB, Angie’s List, etc.)
- Encouraging customer reviews
- Creating geo-targeted landing pages
- Optimizing my Google Business Profile with fresh content
- Running a Texas-based link-building campaign
Freelance SEO Consultant
The Dallas freelancer offered a hands-on approach with:
- In-depth technical SEO audit
- On-page optimization (titles, meta tags, H1s, etc.)
- Improved internal linking for better crawling
- Keyword research focused on long-tail variations
- Two new SEO blog posts per month
- Limited backlink outreach through guest posts
They communicated weekly and adjusted strategies based on analytics.
Big Digital Marketing Firm
The Houston agency focused on a broad digital ecosystem:
- Combined SEO, PPC, and social media strategies
- Structured website optimization and schema markup
- Developed long-form pillar pages for competitive topics
- Outsourced link-building to partner agencies
- Delivered a sleek reporting dashboard and monthly progress calls
Results After Three Months
Local SEO Agency
What worked:
- Google Business Profile views rose 40%
- Ranked top 3 for two local keywords (e.g., “[service] in Austin”)
- Earned 18 new reviews, up from 3
What didn’t:
- Organic website traffic increased only 15%
- Most leads came from GBP, not the website
- Minimal link-building impact
Verdict:
Excellent for location-based businesses wanting better Google Maps visibility, but limited for broader reach.
Freelance SEO Consultant
What worked:
- Technical improvements boosted site performance and speed
- Organic traffic grew 25%
- Blog posts began ranking for long-tail keywords
What didn’t:
- Limited capacity for large-scale link-building
- Growth slowed after initial improvements
Verdict:
Ideal for small businesses wanting personalized attention and technical SEO improvements. However, scaling results takes longer without a full team.
Big Digital Marketing Firm
What worked:
- Organic traffic increased 35%, the best result overall
- Broader keyword visibility and strong cross-channel support
- Consistent brand exposure through multiple digital platforms
What didn’t:
- SEO felt secondary to other services
- Some backlinks were irrelevant or low-quality
- High monthly cost ($3,500+)
Verdict:
Powerful for companies ready to invest in a full-scale digital strategy, but not ideal if SEO is your sole focus.
Cost Comparison
| Type of Service | Monthly Cost | SEO Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Local SEO Agency | ~$1,500 | Strong on Local SEO |
| Freelance Consultant | ~$1,000 | Flexible & Personalized |
| Digital Marketing Firm | ~$3,500 | Broad Digital Strategy |
My Takeaways: What I’d Recommend
If You’re a Local Service Business…
Go with a local SEO agency. They understand your city, your audience, and local search intent. Perfect for ranking in Google Maps and driving nearby customers.
If You’re on a Budget or Want Flexibility…
Choose a freelance SEO consultant. They’re adaptable, affordable, and communicative. Pair them with a separate link-building service for best results.
If You Have the Budget and Want a Full Digital Push…
Opt for a big marketing firm — but set clear SEO expectations. Their multi-channel strategies can scale your brand visibility fast.
The Big Lesson: SEO Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
My biggest takeaway? SEO success depends on your goals, budget, and business type.
No provider — big or small — can deliver instant results. In a competitive market like Texas, you need patience, consistency, and collaboration.
Transparency and communication were key.
- The freelancer offered the most clarity and responsiveness.
- The agency was balanced but limited in scope.
- The big firm offered impressive data but less personalized attention.
Final Thoughts
If I could do it again, I’d combine services:
- A local agency for map listings and citations
- A freelancer for technical SEO and content creation
- A larger firm (when budget allows) for long-term digital growth
SEO is a long-term game. Whatever route you choose in Texas — local expert, freelancer, or agency — stay involved, ask questions, and learn the process. The more engaged you are, the stronger your results will be.
