Consultancy vs in-house hire vs freelancer
A specialist consultancy is usually the lowest-cost way for a small or mid-sized business to get senior SEO, AI search and advertising skills. An in-house hire makes sense once you need a full-time generalist across many channels, and a freelancer suits a single, well-defined job.
| Compared on | Levine Technical | In-house hire | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $950 to $3,950, plus ad spend | A full salary, plus payroll taxes, benefits and software | Varies by person and scope |
| Skills covered | AI search, SEO, ads, conversion work, email, store integrations, tracking | Usually one or two specialties | Usually one specialty |
| Time to start | About a week, with first fixes inside 30 days | Recruiting and onboarding come first | One to two weeks |
| Tools | Included | Bought separately | Sometimes included |
| AI answer tracking | A fixed question set, re-tested monthly | Depends on the hire | Rarely offered |
| Who owns the accounts | You | You | Check the contract |
| Commitment | Month to month after a paid pilot month | Employment | Per project |
Questions people ask
When does an in-house hire make more sense?
When you need someone full time across many channels (social posting, events, email, print) and your search and advertising budget can also support specialists. Many businesses pair an in-house generalist with a consultancy for search, ads and tracking.
What does a full-time marketer cost in Hawaii?
Salaries vary by role and experience, so check current figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and local job listings. Then add payroll taxes, benefits and the software the role needs.
Can a consultancy work alongside my existing team?
Yes. We take the search, advertising and tracking work, share the scorecard with your team, and leave day-to-day posting and events with them.
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