Which Industries should Hire an SEO Agency?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a measurable marketing channel that can drive long-term growth. Whether you’re offering a product or service, potential customers are searching online. An SEO agency can ensure they find your business first.

With search engines becoming the first stop for research and purchases, businesses across many industries can benefit from hiring a dedicated SEO team to boost visibility, generate leads, and improve conversions.

• SEO is highly beneficial for industries that rely on local or niche audiences.
• Professional services, medical practices, SaaS, and travel businesses gain the most from SEO.
• Low-margin or oversaturated industries should approach SEO with caution.
• Local SEO is often the most effective route for multi-location and community-based businesses.
• Assess ROI, competition, and budget before investing in an SEO agency.

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Industries That Benefit the Most from Hiring an SEO Agency
   • Professional Services
   • Small Businesses and Startups
   • Home Repair and Renovation Services
   • SaaS and Tech Startups
   • Medical Practices
   • Local-Focused Businesses
   • Legal Firms
   • Travel and Hospitality
   • Multi-Location Enterprises
3. Industries Where SEO May Not Be Ideal
   • Low Margin Product Businesses
   • Highly Saturated Industries
4. Conclusion
5. FAQs

Accountants, financial planners, IT consultants, and other professional service providers thrive on trust and reputation. SEO helps these businesses appear credible and visible when clients conduct online research.

• 80% of potential clients research a business online before contacting them.
• Local SEO ensures your practice shows up in your geographic area, improving lead quality.

Tip: Claim your Google Business Profile and collect reviews to enhance local SEO visibility.

Startups and small businesses often face tight budgets and fierce competition. SEO provides a cost-effective way to reach new customers without overspending on paid ads.

• Organic search is one of the most cost-efficient marketing channels.
• Long-tail keywords can help smaller brands compete with big players in niche markets.

Tip: Start with foundational SEO like on-page optimisation, local keywords, and content creation.

Customers looking for repairs—be it for appliances or homes—tend to search locally. SEO ensures your services appear at the top when someone searches “plumber near me” or “kitchen renovations Melbourne.”

• Local SEO helps attract urgent and high-intent leads.
• Consistent NAP (name, address, phone) details build local trust with search engines.

Tip: Focus on Google Maps and location-based search terms to increase visibility.

SaaS businesses rely on digital presence to convert users. Without a strong SEO strategy, you miss out on organic traffic that could lead to product sign-ups and demos.

• Inbound leads generated from SEO tend to cost less than paid advertising.
• SEO helps build authority in a highly competitive digital-first industry.

Tip: Create SEO-friendly landing pages for each software feature or solution your product offers.

Dentists, general practitioners, physiotherapists, and specialists benefit from local SEO to attract patients in their vicinity. With healthcare searches on the rise, online visibility is crucial.

• 77% of patients start their search for a new healthcare provider online.
• SEO helps you appear in “near me” searches for immediate healthcare needs.

Tip: Target service-specific keywords like “bulk billing GP in Melbourne” for better local results.

For cafes, salons, gyms, and local retailers, showing up in local search results can directly impact foot traffic and sales. SEO agencies can help secure top positions in Google’s Local Pack (map listings).

• Local SEO works on geographically-relevant keywords.
• Optimised listings can outperform larger national chains in your area.

Tip: Encourage customer reviews and optimise your business listings with updated hours and services.

Legal services are usually location-bound and niche-specific. Whether you’re a family lawyer or criminal defense attorney, SEO can help potential clients find you quickly.

• Local SEO helps attract clients looking for legal help nearby.
• Targeting practice-specific keywords helps differentiate your services.

Tip: Optimise your site with schema markup for legal services to improve search result visibility.

With 80%+ of people booking travel online, SEO is essential for tour operators, travel agencies, and hotels. A smart SEO strategy can help you stand out among aggregator sites.

• Keyword diversification attracts various user intents (e.g., “family holidays Melbourne,” “budget hotels near me”).
• SEO enhances your presence across organic and map searches.

Tip: Use high-quality photos and user-generated content to improve on-page engagement.

If your business operates in more than one city or state, SEO ensures each branch has its own local footprint. Localised strategies help you dominate search in each relevant market.

• Create dedicated landing pages for each location.
• Implement structured data to differentiate locations in search.

Tip: Use consistent branding while customising each location page with unique local content.

If your business operates on thin margins, hiring an SEO agency might not yield a positive ROI quickly. SEO requires time and investment—two things low-margin products may not afford.

• Consider alternatives like paid ads or marketplaces instead.
• Focus on product listings on high-traffic platforms like Amazon or eBay.

Tip: Use SEO only if your customer lifetime value justifies the initial cost.

Industries like national insurance or general dropshipping often face intense competition with big-budget players dominating SERPs. Competing without the necessary budget may prove futile.

• A significant investment may be required to make any meaningful impact.
• Consider focusing on hyper-niche or long-tail keyword strategies.

Tip: Test local SEO strategies before jumping into national-level keyword wars.

Hiring an SEO agency isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution—but it’s a powerful one when used wisely. If your industry thrives on online visibility, local discovery, or targeted lead generation, SEO can deliver tremendous ROI.

On the flip side, if your margins are tight or you’re competing in an oversaturated niche, explore alternative marketing strategies or focus on highly localised SEO.

Still unsure? A professional SEO consultation can help you assess your competition, keywords, and ROI potential. Call us today!

Is SEO a good investment for small businesses?

Yes, especially when targeting niche markets. SEO helps build long-term traffic without relying solely on ads.

How long does it take to see SEO results?

Typically 3–6 months. SEO is a long-term strategy, but it yields sustainable results over time.

Should every business hire an SEO agency?

Not necessarily. Businesses with low margins or in oversaturated markets may need to explore other digital strategies.

Can local SEO help my business rank better?

Absolutely. Local SEO helps you show up in map results and reach nearby customers with high purchase intent.

What’s the cost of hiring an SEO agency?

Hourly rates range from $100–$200, but project pricing can vary depending on goals and deliverables.