From who, you might ask? From SEO Specialists, who will be at the core of boosting your online presence or visibility.
In the Philippines, there's an increasing market of skilled SEO professionals who provide cost-effective services without compromising on quality.
Hiring from the Philippines could mean access to services that matches perfectly with your business needs while also being gentle on your wallet.
Yesh Says:
The affordability of SEO specialists in the Philippines doesn't imply lower standards or lower skill ceilings. Quite the contrary, you can find individuals with a high level of expertise, especially when you know where to look. The most affordable SEO Specialists can be found in OnlineJobs.ph, but you can also check out my services page to see if they fit your budget.
Typically an SEO Specialist will have an hourly rate of ranging from $5/hour to $25/hour, depending on expertise.
Before you take the leap, it’s important to consider your budget but remember to weigh it against the expertise and results that you expect. The adage "pay peanuts, get monkeys", ring true in this situation.
It also pays to be cautious and avoid common hiring mistakes by being clear about your goals, expectations, and the specifics of your SEO needs.
What Are SEO Specialists?
SEO specialists are the professionals you turn to when you need your website to climb higher on the search results page.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is key to making sure your online content gets the attention it deserves.
Think of an SEO specialist as a guide that helps your website get more traffic.
Their job includes analyzing and adjusting your website to improve its performance on search engines. They focus on understanding the factors that search engines like Google use to rank pages.
These pros will look at your site's technical setup, the use of keywords, the quality of content, and more. They'll also assess how your site links to other websites.
SEO Work | Detail |
|---|---|
Technical SEO | Any SEO done on the website, except the content. |
On-Page SEO | Any SEO done on the content of the website |
Off-Page SEO | Any SEO done on outside the website |
Why is SEO so important?
SEO is important because it helps your site show up to your audience right when they need it. Your business thrives on being visible in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
For example: If you’re selling laptops, SEO makes it such that your website is shown only to people looking to buy laptops.
An SEO specialist plays a critical part in this process.
Why Hire From The Philippines?
When you’re planning to outsource an SEO Specialist, the Philippines should be at the top of your list.
1. Affordable (Not Cheap!)
Affordability is a clear advantage because your budget simply stretches further with Filipino talent. You get high-quality services at a cost that won't blow your financial plan.
2. Strong Communication Skills
You'll also appreciate the strong command of English. Communication barriers are less of an issue, as most Filipinos are fluent in the language, making interactions smoother and more productive.
Their ability to understand and employ nuanced language ensures your SEO needs are met with clarity.
3. Familiarity With Western Culture
Beyond language, the Philippines has a deep familiarity with Western culture. This insight is invaluable for crafting SEO strategies that resonate with your target demographic.
Whether you're looking to engage with audiences in the U.S., Europe, or other English-speaking regions, this cultural insight can help shape effective campaigns.
4. Preference & Commitment To Remote Work
Filipinos are family-oriented and would rather work from home rather than the office. Having one of the world’s worst traffic in a metro area does not help either.
In fact, according to our internal survey on why Filipinos want to become SEO Specialists, 12.77% answered work preference, citing WFH or remote work opportunities. Another 6.02% answered family responsibilities, citing their need to take care of their kids and family.
The result? You benefit from a workforce adapted to remote work. Your projects advance with efficiency, regardless of the physical distance.
5. Diligent & Adaptable
Filipino SEO professionals are known for their diligence and adaptability.
Working with them means enlisting a proactive employee or team that stays on top of SEO trends and algorithm changes. This ensures that your SEO strategy remains current and competitive.
Where To Find Affordable SEO Specialists In The Philippines
The Philippines offers a vast pool of talented SEO service providers at competitive rates. Here are some places online where you can find them.
OnlineJobs.ph
If you're hiring an SEO service provider in the Philippines, consider signing up for OnlineJobs.ph. This local job board features a plethora of candidates versed in SEO. A simple search on the site can yield a diverse range of digital marketing professionals.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
LinkedIn is another valuable resource brimming with skilled individuals. Make use of the search bar with filters to narrow down your hunt based on experience and specific SEO skills.
UpWork
For those who prefer a global platform, head over to Upwork. It's a marketplace teeming with freelance SEO Specialists from the Philippines.
Here, you can review profiles, previous work, and client reviews to inform your choice.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Word-of-Mouth Referrals
Don't overlook word-of-mouth referrals either.
90% of my clients come from referrals.
Reach out to your network or join relevant social media groups. Often, recommendations from within the industry can lead you to dependable specialists.
While browsing these platforms, keep an eye out for:
Cost Considerations
1. SEO Specialist Pay
According to Indeed, the average SEO Specialist salary in the Philippines is ₱37,498/month (+5.64% vs 2024). This does not include benefits such as SSS, Pag-ibig (Home Development Mutual Fund) , and bonuses such as a 13th month pay.
You can gain more insights about SEO salaries in the Philippines here.
On a side note, the average salaries of SEO Specialists in the country for 2024 has roughly remained the same from 2024.
2. Should you Go Through An Agency or Hire Directly?
Hiring via an agency might bump up costs, accounting for their markup and other operating costs.
On the flip side, directly
hiring a freelancer often results in lower costs. However, this also means an increased management burden on your part.
For example, the responsibility of finding or creating the appropriate SEO training program and ensuring that they have the appropriate technology (i.e., computer, internet connection) will now rest on your shoulders.
3. Types of Employment
You can hire Filipino SEO Specialists in three ways:
I would say that Filipino freelancers’ work preferences are split evenly between full-time and contract-based positions, with part-time work taking a small minority.
My tip on saving costs:
Contract-based employees will save you the most money. Hiring part-time and full-time employees certainly have their benefits, but you also run the risk of reduced productivity if you operate without proper management guidelines and work allocation. Read up on Parkinson’s Law for more information.
How To Negotiate Rates
Finding an SEO Specialist that fits within your budget can also be determined through an honest conversation:
Avoid These 4 Hiring Mistakes!
When you're on the lookout for an affordable SEO specialist in the Philippines, steer clear of these common pitfalls:
And as always, it's good to be reminded that the SEO industry is rampant with snakes oil salesmen and scammers - here are 15 things to watch out for.
Find The Balance Between Cost and Quality
Set a budget, but remain flexible. Seek out talent by considering both their fees and proven results.
For example:
Let’s say monthly budget for content is $400/month. You found a great writer that resonates with all of your requirements, has a history of tangible results, and has great knowledge of current best practices.
However, she’s asking for $500/month. In this case, it might be worth negotiating her rate to $450/month (meet halfway), or simply bite the bullet and pay $500/month. After all, her content is an investment and can drive leads to your website for many years to come.
On the other hand, if an “okay” writer is asking for $375/month, it might be a good idea to compare multiple providers first. Don't snap up the first affordable option; assess several specialists to find the best value.
Legal And Contractual Considerations
When you're scouting for an affordable SEO specialist in the Philippines, don't forget that you and your freelancers are still bound by laws.
A transparent contract is your safety net. It defines what you and the specialist will deliver in this deal. Keep it simple but detailed—outline services, deliverables, payment terms, timeframes, and what happens when the contract is broken.
On the legal side of things, the Philippine Labor Code will apply to employees.
There are recent instances where offshore employers have sought the services of local lawyers to hold erring freelancers accountable, so you're not entirely powerless when dealing with bad employees.
Wrapping Up
When you outsource your SEO campaigns to a Filipino freelancer, you are mostly guaranteed to pay lower than the standard rates in your country.
My take: if you're paying 30-40% less than what you would have paid if you hired a local SEO specialist in your country, you're doing great.
However, be wary of scraping the bottom of the price barrel - you'll find nothing but missed deadlines and subpar work.
If you're in need of an affordable SEO specialist to help you grow your business, don't hesitate to reach out!
FAQs
When looking into SEO services within the Philippines, you'll likely have a handful of questions regarding costs and legalities. This FAQ covers the essentials you need to find a trusted SEO Specialist.
In the Philippines, full-time employee benefits include social security, health insurance through PhilHealth, and home development fund contributions known as Pag-IBIG Fund. If you're employing someone full-time, these are benefits you're expected - but not required - to cover.
Yes, the 13th-month pay is mandatory in the Philippines for employees who have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.
A Christmas bonus, however, is discretionary and depends on your company's policy or performance. Again, you're not required to do this.
Most SEO Specialists in the Philippines work with foreign businesses because of the potentially higher-than-average salary, so expect any freelancer to ask for more than the average wage.
It is legal to agree to a salary higher than the average if it aligns with your budget and the candidate's expertise. But, you might want to first evaluate the candidate's skill set and experience level to determine if the higher salary is justified.
And to our defence, Philippines is a fairly expensive country. I've even read in /Philippine_Expats subreddit that the Philippines is a third-world country with first world prices. My girlfriend buys her skincare stuff in Japan because it's cheaper. Go figure.
While not mandatory, providing an internet or gadget allowance can be a strong incentive for remote or freelance SEO specialists.
This makes your offer more attractive compared to others.
Personally, I have friends and family whose employers (99% of which are established agencies) provide them with gadget allowance. These lucky people are now sporting the latest Macbooks instead of their old mid-range Lenovo laptops - and have become completely loyal to the company!
Small businesses can explore hiring freelance SEO specialists who may offer more flexible rates. They can also consider SEO service packages from local agencies known for competitive pricing. Always check the specialist's track record and client testimonials before deciding. If you need help deciding, reach out to me for a no-commitment consultation.