In-house vs agency:
the difference a full-stack
team makes
Hiring in-house has long been seen as the “safe” choice for growing companies, promising more control, more alignment and more ownership.
But as marketing becomes more complex, multi-channel and performance-driven, many businesses are discovering that building an internal team isn’t always the most effective or efficient path to growth.
So, what are the differences between in-house teams and agencies, and how do you know an agency is the right fit for your company?
The true cost of in-house teams
When businesses consider hiring in-house, the focus usually starts with salary. But salary is only one part of the equation.
In reality, in-house costs also include:
- Recruitment fees and long hiring cycles
- Benefits, pensions and payroll taxes
- Training and ongoing upskilling
- Specialist tools for SEO, content, analytics and conversion rate optimisation (CRO)
- Management time and operational overhead
More importantly, marketing rarely requires just one skill set. SEO, content strategy, technical optimisation, CRO, analytics and distribution all demand different expertise. Hiring for breadth often means compromising on depth, or continuously expanding headcount.
What looks affordable on paper can quickly become expensive and slow to adapt.
Speed and scalability
One of the biggest structural differences between in-house and agency models is speed.
In-house teams scale linearly. To do more, you hire more, which takes time, budget and management effort. When priorities shift, teams can become misaligned or stretched thin.
Agencies scale on demand. Campaigns can expand, pivot or refocus without restructuring roles or renegotiating contracts. This flexibility is particularly valuable for:
- Product launches
- Seasonal demand
- New market entry
- Rapid experimentation
For companies operating in competitive or fast-moving markets, this agility can be a decisive advantage.
Where Axonn fits in
Axonn works with companies at the exact point where in-house limitations begin to show. Our teams combine deep technical SEO, content strategy and performance-led execution, built from years of scaling growth across competitive industries. Rather than operating as an external supplier, we integrate closely with internal teams, filling skill gaps, accelerating execution and bringing proven frameworks that reduce experimentation time. The result is faster momentum and marketing output designed to scale with a greater return on investment.
Working with an agency FAQs
Not necessarily. While agency retainers can look higher at first glance, they often replace multiple salaries, tools, training costs and management overhead. When factoring in speed to results and access to specialists, agencies are frequently more cost-effective than building and maintaining an internal team.
Agencies typically move faster than in-house teams because they already have processes, tools and specialists in place. While timelines vary by channel, many businesses see early momentum within weeks rather than months, especially compared to the time required to recruit and onboard internal hires.
Agencies tend to focus more on outcomes, rather than activity. Success is typically measured through metrics tied to growth such as qualified leads, conversions, pipeline impact or revenue contribution.
A hybrid model works well for many businesses. In-house teams retain ownership of strategy and brand, while agencies provide specialist expertise and execution power. This approach allows companies to scale faster without overloading internal resources or expanding headcount prematurely.
Yes, provided the onboarding is done properly. Strong agencies invest time to understand industry-specific needs, commercial goals and audience. As they often work across industries, agencies can bring a fresh perspective that internal teams may not have exposure to.
Effective agency partnerships are built on clear goals, transparent reporting and regular communication. Businesses retain strategic ownership while agencies focus on execution, freeing internal teams to make better, higher-level decisions.
Making the right decision
Choosing between in-house and agency doesn’t necessarily mean replacing one with the other. For many organisations, the most effective approach is a hybrid model, combining internal ownership with external expertise.
To help teams evaluate their current setup, we’ve put together a practical guide covering:
- Cost efficiency
- Expertise depth
- Scalability
- Speed to results
- Measurable ROI
