When Should You Use a Digital Marketing Agency vs. Manage In-House?

Deciding whether to hire a digital marketing agency or manage campaigns in-house depends on your business’s goals, budget, and expertise. Both options offer distinct advantages, but the right decision requires aligning your choice with your operational needs and long-term vision. Here’s a guide to help you understand when outsourcing is best and how in-house management fits certain scenarios. 

In this article, you will learn:

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Why You Should Use a Digital Marketing Agency?

Businesses often turn to digital marketing agencies because they provide a range of benefits that enhance growth and efficiency:

  • Access to Expertise Across Channels:

Agencies bring specialized knowledge in SEO, SEM (Search Engine Marketing), Paid Social ads, and emerging platforms such as Xiao Hong Shu and TikTok. They stay ahead of algorithm updates and leverage advanced tools to optimize campaigns efficiently.

Stat Insight: Accenture’s SynOps platform boosts conversion rates by 18% and reduces costs by 24% through automation and personalization​.

  • Faster Scalability Without Overhead:

Agencies can scale campaigns quickly during peak periods without hiring additional staff. They also provide regional insights tailored to markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Stat Insight: 54% of global ad budgets are allocated to digital channels, showing the importance of expert-led campaigns​. 

  • Time-Saving for Core Teams:

Managing SEO, SEM, and social campaigns requires continuous optimization to align with evolving Google and META algorithms. Agencies free your team from these tasks, letting them focus on core business activities.

Stat Insight: AI-powered operations can generate up to 44% of a company’s revenue, underscoring the value of outsourcing marketing efforts​.

Source: Accenture

When to Build an In-House Marketing Team?

Building an in-house marketing team can be beneficial in specific situations, especially if your business needs direct control over its campaigns. Consider creating an internal team when:

  • You Have Consistent Marketing Needs:

If your business requires continuous marketing campaigns without rapid scaling, an in-house team may offer better stability.

  • Budget Constraints Limit Outsourcing:

If you need to cut costs, managing marketing in-house may reduce the additional overhead of agency fees.

  • Your Team Has Strong Expertise:

Businesses with deep internal knowledge in SEO, SEM, and Paid Social ads can avoid outsourcing fees and manage campaigns more efficiently.

  • Full Control Is Critical:

If your company requires complete creative control and close alignment with brand strategies, keeping campaigns in-house ensures precision.

Source: Accenture

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How to Structure an In-House Marketing Team?

If your business decides to manage campaigns internally, here’s how to structure your team for optimal performance. Below are the key roles and their average monthly salaries in Malaysia:

1. SEO Specialist

  • Role: Optimizes website content to improve search engine visibility and drive organic traffic. 
  • Average Salary: MYR 4,000–5,000/month

2. PPC Manager (SEM Specialist)

  • Role: Manages Google Ads and other paid search campaigns to drive traffic and generate leads. 
  • Average Salary: MYR 5,500–7,500/month

3. Social Media Manager

  • Role: Oversees content creation and ad campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to build engagement and brand presence. 
  • Average Salary: MYR 4,500–6,000/month 

4. Content Creator or Designer

  • Role: Develops visual assets and written content for social media and ad campaigns, ensuring consistent brand identity. 
  • Average Salary: MYR 3,500–5,000/month

5. Data Analyst

  • Role: Tracks campaign performance, analyzes metrics, and provides insights to improve strategy. 
  • Average Salary: MYR 6,000–8,000/month 

Total Monthly Salary Cost:

The total monthly cost of a fully staffed in-house marketing team would range from MYR 23,500 to MYR 31,500. This does not include software subscriptions, employee benefits, and training, which can further increase operational expenses. 

Comparison:
Digital Marketing Agency vs. In-House Management

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What to Look for When Evaluating a Digital Marketing Agency?

If outsourcing seems like the right option, ask these key questions during your evaluation:

  1. Does the agency have experience in your industry or market (e.g., Malaysia)?

  • Industry expertise ensures relevant campaigns and avoids common pitfalls.

  1. What tools and reporting systems do they use?

  • Ensure the agency offers real-time dashboards for tracking KPIs and campaign performance.

  1. What are their pricing models and contract terms?

  • Clarify whether they charge fixed fees, hourly rates, or performance-based pricing and look for hidden costs.

  1. Does the agency offer performance-based marketing options?

  • Some agencies provide extra bonuses based on lead generation or sales success. This can align incentives and enhance campaign outcomes.
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Red Flags to Watch Out For:

  1. Guaranteed Results

  • Red Flag: No credible agency can guarantee top SEO rankings or specific outcomes. 
  • Solution: Choose agencies that focus on measurable KPIs instead. 

  1. Lack of Transparency

  • Red Flag: Agencies that avoid sharing reports may be hiding underperformance.
  • Solution: Look for agencies that provide live reporting dashboards and transparent updates.
Change IT's Office at Ilham Tower, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Why Choose Change IT’s Digital Marketing Services?

At Change IT Consultancy , we offer:

  • SEO campaigns that enhance organic visibility, backed by proven success stories. 
  • SEM and Google Ads strategies, delivered by a team with a decade of experience working for the top four agencies in Malaysia. 
  • AI-powered tools to optimize performance and deliver measurable ROI in real-time. 

We ensure transparent reporting, flexible contracts, and scalable solutions, helping businesses across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia thrive in competitive markets.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Choosing between outsourcing to a digital marketing agency or building an in-house team depends on your goals, budget, and expertise. Agencies offer scalability, advanced tools, and specialized skills, often leading to higher ROI and better outcomes. However, companies with strong in-house teams or smaller budgets may find it more efficient to manage campaigns internally.

Contact Change IT today to explore how we can accelerate your business, or browse our success stories to learn more about the impact we’ve created.

Reach Out to Us Today!