As with various other computer- and telephone-based services, some companies are outsourcing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) work to foreign countries. This can be a complex and difficult choice for business operators to make. Like most business decisions, there are both pros and cons for this type of outsourcing.

PROS

1. Workers in foreign countries have lower business and living expenses, so they are willing to accept less pay for SEO and other kinds of work.

2. People in these countries might also be willing to complete the project sooner in exchange for only slightly higher levels of pay.

3. Outsourcing such services helps to improve the economies of urban areas in some developing foreign countries.

CONS

1. It is harder to hold someone in a foreign country accountable for not finishing (or starting) SEO projects they have been paid to complete.

2. Outsourcing SEO or any other type of service promotes lower wages throughout the world and can lead to a competition where quality is sacrificed for price and speed.

3. Someone located in a much different time zone is more difficult to communicate with conveniently, especially over the phone or in real-time.

4. SEO firms in foreign countries which largely compete on the basis of price and know they are being paid lower rates may feel less obligation to provide high-quality service or work to attract repeat customers.

5. PayPal payments cannot be received in some countries, so there is the added inconvenience and cost of mailing a check or money order internationally. This also decreases the chance of recovering funds when a service is not completed.

6. Regardless of their SEO skills, language and/or societal differences in foreign countries can make it more difficult for someone to optimize web sites in a manner which doesn’t compromise readability or seem awkward.

For the company purchasing SEO services, the pros of outsourcing SEO to foreign countries are few but significant (cost and speed), while the several cons range from minor inconveniences to potentially major problems. Both options have pros and cons for society in general as well.

A company should carefully compare both the potential risks and advantages of outsourcing before making a decision. Either way, it is important to find a reputable SEO provider which uses ethical practices; this type of optimization can be ineffective or even harm a web site’s search rankings when performed improperly.