[tucaz]

In addition to what others have said here it is important to consider that when you use the agency, even though it’s expensive, they are doing the work for you in a black-box way. You pay them and get the work done without having to know the details of their operation.

Doing it by yourself it’s going to be cheaper on the money side but will require sourcing, hiring, management, supervision, and possibly training which should be taken into account because it will require your effort that could potentially be spent somewhere else with better results.

[qax]

Yes, totally. I'm fine with the sausage making part being a black box. But shouldn't they share more data/results with us? This is the first SEO agency I'm working with, and I'm not sure what the norm is.

[tucaz]

They definitely should if that’s what you need to feel comfortable with your choice of working with them. If they can’t support you in a way you trust you should look for alternatives (like you are).

[qax]

Yeah. Hopefully we’ll find another agency who can give us more visibility.