{"id":3004,"date":"2026-04-06T06:52:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T05:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3004"},"modified":"2026-04-07T13:57:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:57:46","slug":"will-hiring-more-than-one-seo-company-help-speed-up-your-efforts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/04\/will-hiring-more-than-one-seo-company-help-speed-up-your-efforts\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Hiring More Than One SEO Company Help Speed Up Your Efforts?"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes : <\/span><\/span><h1>Will Hiring More Than One SEO Company Help Speed Up Your Efforts?<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Short answer?<\/strong> It might feel like a shortcut\u2026 but it can just as easily slow you down, cost more, and create a mess behind the scenes.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re a small business owner trying to grow online, it\u2019s tempting to think: \u201cIf one SEO company is good, two must be better.\u201d More hands, more ideas, faster results\u2026 right?<\/p>\n<p>Not quite.<\/p>\n<p>Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) isn\u2019t like stacking extra builders on a job site. It\u2019s more like steering a ship. If two different crews are pulling the wheel in different directions, you don\u2019t go faster\u2014you just drift off course.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn\u2019t mean working with more than one SEO provider is impossible. But it does mean you need to understand the risks, the moving parts, and the level of control required before you go down that road.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break it all down in plain English so you can make a smart decision for your business.<!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>Why Hiring Multiple SEO Companies Sounds Like a Good Idea<\/h2>\n<p>At first glance, using more than one SEO company seems like a clever move. After all, in most areas of business, more people working on something usually means faster progress. If one agency is improving your website, why not bring in another to double the speed?<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also a trust factor. SEO can feel like a bit of a black box. You\u2019re paying for something that takes time, and you might not fully understand what\u2019s being done. So spreading the work across two providers can feel like a way to reduce risk. If one underperforms, the other might pick up the slack.<\/p>\n<p>Another reason small business owners consider this approach is specialisation. One company might claim to be brilliant at technical fixes, while another focuses on content or link building. So it feels logical to hire both and cover all bases.<\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s where things start to get tricky.<\/p>\n<p>SEO isn\u2019t a set of isolated tasks. It\u2019s a connected system. Every change to your site, your content, and your external presence affects everything else. When two different teams are working independently, even with the best intentions, they can end up clashing without realising it.<\/p>\n<p>For example, one agency might optimise your site structure while another is publishing blog content based on a completely different keyword strategy. Instead of working together, they\u2019re pulling in different directions.<\/p>\n<p>This is why understanding how SEO fits together is so important before deciding whether multiple providers will help\u2014or hurt\u2014your progress.<\/p>\n<h2>The Three Core Types of SEO (And Why They Must Work Together)<\/h2>\n<p>To really understand the risks of using more than one SEO company, you need a clear picture of how SEO actually works. At its core, SEO is usually split into three main areas: <strong>technical SEO<\/strong>, <strong>content SEO<\/strong>, and <strong>external SEO (links)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s keep it simple.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Technical SEO<\/strong> is everything behind the scenes. It\u2019s how your website is built, how fast it loads, how easy it is for search engines to crawl, and how well it works on mobile devices. If this part isn\u2019t right, nothing else really sticks. You could write the best content in the world, but if your site is slow or broken, you won\u2019t rank well.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to dig deeper into this area, it\u2019s worth reading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/does-your-websites-design-affect-your-search-rankings\">how website design affects search rankings<\/a>, because design and structure play a massive role in technical performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Content SEO<\/strong> is what most people think of first. This includes your pages, blog posts, product descriptions, and anything else written on your site. It\u2019s about answering real questions your customers are searching for, using the right language, and organising information in a clear way.<\/p>\n<p>Good content doesn\u2019t just attract visitors\u2014it helps guide them towards taking action.<\/p>\n<p><strong>External SEO<\/strong> (often called link building) is about your reputation across the internet. When other websites link to yours, search engines can see that as a sign of trust. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2024\/09\/why-you-should-avoid-irrelevant-links-on-your-small-business-website\/\">But not all links are equal<\/a>. Low-quality or spammy links can actually harm your rankings.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the key point: <strong>these three areas are tightly connected<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If your technical setup changes, your content might need adjusting. If your content strategy shifts, your link building needs to follow. It\u2019s all part of the same system.<\/p>\n<p>This is why splitting these responsibilities across multiple companies can quickly become complicated.<\/p>\n<h2>The Real Dangers of Using More Than One SEO Company<\/h2>\n<p>Now we get to the heart of the issue.<\/p>\n<p>Working with more than one SEO company isn\u2019t just about managing two invoices. It introduces real risks that can slow your progress\u2014or even undo good work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conflicting strategies<\/strong> are the biggest problem. One agency might target a certain set of keywords, while another goes after something completely different. You end up with mixed signals, and search engines don\u2019t get a clear idea of what your site is about.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Technical clashes<\/strong> are another common issue. One company might restructure your pages or update your code, while another is working from an outdated version of your site. Changes get overwritten, or worse, break something important.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Duplicate work<\/strong> is also a real concern. You could end up paying twice for the same type of research, audits, or fixes without even realising it.<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s <strong>accountability<\/strong>. If your rankings drop or traffic stalls, who\u2019s responsible? One agency might blame the other, leaving you stuck in the middle trying to figure out what went wrong.<\/p>\n<p>And here\u2019s something many people don\u2019t think about: <strong>SEO decisions often aren\u2019t simple<\/strong>. They involve trade-offs, testing, and sometimes gut judgement based on experience.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re managing multiple providers, you may be forced to make decisions about SEO that you don\u2019t fully understand. One company says \u201cdo this,\u201d another says \u201cdon\u2019t,\u201d and suddenly you\u2019re the referee in a game you didn\u2019t sign up to play.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a stressful place to be\u2014and it can lead to poor decisions simply because you don\u2019t have the time or knowledge to dig into every detail.<\/p>\n<h2>When Using Multiple SEO Providers Might Work (With Care)<\/h2>\n<p>To be fair, there are situations where using more than one SEO provider can work\u2014but they are the exception, not the rule.<\/p>\n<p>The key word here is <strong>control<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If you decide to go down this route, you need a clear plan for who is responsible for what. This isn\u2019t something you can leave vague. You need defined roles, boundaries, and regular communication between all parties.<\/p>\n<p>For example, one provider might handle technical SEO only, while another focuses purely on content. But even then, <strong>they need to stay aligned<\/strong>. If the technical team changes site structure, the content team must adjust accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>This level of coordination doesn\u2019t happen by accident. It needs active management\u2014usually from you.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to be comfortable reviewing reports, asking questions, and sometimes challenging recommendations. That can be tough if SEO isn\u2019t your area of expertise.<\/p>\n<p>Another important point is <strong>consistency<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/04\/how-long-does-seo-take-to-work-on-a-small-business-website\/\">SEO takes time<\/a>. Results often build slowly as search engines pick up changes and trust your site more. If different providers keep changing direction, you never build that momentum.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re considering multiple providers because you\u2019re not seeing results, it\u2019s worth stepping back first. It might not be a numbers problem\u2014it might be a strategy or execution issue.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, improving what you already have is more effective than adding more voices to the mix.<\/p>\n<h2>A Simpler Alternative: One Strategy, One Direction<\/h2>\n<p>For most small businesses, the simplest approach is also the most effective: <strong>one clear SEO strategy, managed in one direction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn\u2019t mean one person has to do everything. A good SEO provider might still use specialists internally for technical work, content writing, or outreach. But from your point of view, it\u2019s all coordinated under one plan.<\/p>\n<p>This removes confusion and makes it much easier to track progress.<\/p>\n<p>You know what\u2019s being done, why it\u2019s being done, and how it connects to your overall goals.<\/p>\n<p>It also makes communication far simpler. Instead of juggling multiple reports and opinions, you have one point of contact who understands the full picture.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to understand how different parts of your website impact performance, take a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/webpage-compression-techniques-for-small-business-websites\">webpage compression techniques<\/a>. It\u2019s a good example of how technical improvements support everything else, from user experience to search rankings.<\/p>\n<p>The big advantage of a single strategy is <strong>focus<\/strong>. SEO isn\u2019t about doing everything at once\u2014it\u2019s about doing the right things in the right order.<\/p>\n<p>When that focus is split, progress slows. When it\u2019s aligned, results build over time.<\/p>\n<h2>So, Should You Hire More Than One SEO Company?<\/h2>\n<p>In most cases, the honest answer is <strong>no<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Hiring more than one SEO company rarely speeds things up. More often, it creates confusion, duplication, and conflicting strategies that slow you down.<\/p>\n<p>That said, it\u2019s not impossible to make it work. But if you do, you need to go in with your eyes open. You\u2019ll need to actively manage both providers, keep strategies aligned, and be ready to make decisions\u2014even when the technical details aren\u2019t clear.<\/p>\n<p>For many small business owners, that\u2019s simply too much overhead on top of running a business.<\/p>\n<p>A single, well-planned SEO strategy with clear goals and consistent execution is usually the better option. It might not feel as fast at the start, but it builds momentum in a way that scattered efforts never will.<\/p>\n<p>SEO is a long game. It rewards consistency, clarity, and patience\u2014not just effort.<\/p>\n<p>If you focus on getting those right, you\u2019ll be in a much stronger position than trying to juggle multiple providers and hoping for the best.<\/p>\n<h2>About the Author<\/h2>\n<p><strong>John K Mitchell<\/strong> has been optimising websites for search engines since 1997\u2014before Google even existed. With a strong programming background, he quickly realised he could analyse search results and begin to understand, or at least make educated guesses about, why certain websites ranked where they did.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, John has worked on thousands of websites across a wide range of industries. His approach combines practical experience with a deep understanding of how websites function behind the scenes. Rather than chasing trends, he focuses on building solid, long-term SEO strategies that deliver consistent results.<\/p>\n<p>His work has helped businesses improve visibility, attract the right audience, and grow online in a sustainable way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes : <\/span><\/span>Will Hiring More Than One SEO Company Help Speed Up Your Efforts? Short answer? It might feel like a shortcut\u2026 but it can just as easily slow you down, cost more, and create a mess behind the scenes. If you&#8217;re a small business owner trying to grow online, it\u2019s tempting to think: \u201cIf one SEO [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-advice","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3004"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3005,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004\/revisions\/3005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}