Outsourcing SEO: European vs. Asian Contractors

Outsourcing SEO has become one of the most visible and sought-after requirements for any firm wishing to build a practical online presence. SEO is what helps in placing websites in search engines, thereby developting organic traffic and visibility. However, while most firms would seek to outsource these services as a strategic means of cutting costs, improving efficiency, and leveraging specialized expertise, decisions regarding the location of outsourcing-either to Europe or Asia have a major impact on results. This piece is written with the best practices in mind and enriched from personal experience in working with European and Asian Contractors.

 

Cultural and Language Barriers

European Contractors:

The contractors from European countries, which have allegedly high proficiency in the English language, especially in Northern and Western Europe. In most nations like the UK, Germany (at a lame level of speaking and writing English), the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, fluent English makes communication easy, if you are patient with the Germans or the French. Additionally, the SEO agencies in Europe know better (hopefully) about the fine points of Western culture, and the content creation easily attracts both audiences in the U.S. and Europe.

Key Benefit: A European contractor brings extensive knowledge of Western consumer behavior and language proficiency that reduces the risks of miscommunication, thereby enhancing content localization for English-speaking audiences.

Asian Contractors:

Asia has a lot of highly competent (ok, this is obviously a joke statement!!) SEO professionals who have rampant (mostly spammy) experience in countries like India, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Though most Asian contractors are fluent in English (hardly so, although they are pros in kissing ass and flood you with sir this, sir that only to hide their incompetence), there might be huge barriers in the language, especially in understanding cultural references, idioms, and local consumer behavior. In some instances, communication may require more effort (try weeks if you have the time) to clarify expectations or explain region-specific SEO tactics and stop them from spamming your properties. Have you ever put a kid into the driving seat and show where the gas is? That risky, you will need to audit every single action they take.

Key benefit: Asian contractors provide a high value-for-money level; You are essentially throwing your money into a pit; although there might be some slight cultural differences in the way they create the content, often they are open to learning and adapting to the client’s needs clear instructions are provided, more like 6 months of explaining policy and SEO 101.