According to in-house analysts at IBISWorld, there were 7,636 digital advertising agencies in the UK as of 2023.

That was two years ago, and with the demand for digital marketing only growing, it’s safe to say that number is even higher now. More businesses are realising they need a strong online presence, and more agencies are stepping up to help.

Unfortunately, more agencies mean more competition, everyone’s fighting for the same clients and the same projects. Clients are having requests of all kinds, all while expecting quick turnarounds and competitive pricing.

Agencies, in turn, have to keep up without overloading their teams, which is almost impossible given the demand. So, they need more hands on deck. However, hiring in-house can be expensive. Bigger agencies might not feel the cost as much, but for a small agency trying to stay profitable, it’s a different story.

A skilled marketing professional in the UK can cost anywhere from £25K to £50K+ per year, and that’s without factoring in office space, benefits, taxes, and more. Scaling a team this way isn’t always sustainable, especially for growing agencies.

That’s why one of Arwana’s top hiring industries is marketing agencies because offshore staffing allows them to hire the talent they need without it having a significant impact on their profits. 

And let’s put the “offshore vs local talent” debate aside for a second. The truth is, that many small agencies already struggle to hire locally. Plus, a lot of successful agencies now use a hybrid approach: they keep a solid in-house team and outsource certain roles to stay flexible, manage costs, and meet client demands more efficiently.

So, if you’re still wondering if offshore staffing can help the UK marketing industry grow, here are five points below to help answer that question:

More Hands on Deck = More Profit

This is obvious: when you have more hands on deck, you’re not afraid to go after bigger clients because you have the capacity to handle them.

Some agencies hesitate to pitch for larger projects or expand their services simply because they don’t have enough people to take on the workload. But what if that problem could be solved easily, without cutting too deeply into your profits?

Offshore agencies like Arwana help smaller marketing companies hire experienced international talent who bring real value to their business.

Save on Hiring Costs

As mentioned earlier, a skilled marketing professional in the UK can cost anywhere from £25K to £50K+ per year, not including benefits and other expenses. Most small marketing companies simply can’t afford this without putting their business at risk.

With an offshore staffing company like Arwana, you gain access to affordable, highly skilled marketing professionals, with junior-level marketers available for as little as £900 to £1,100 per month.

This means you can save on hiring costs, scale your team, take on more clients, and stay competitive all while keeping your budget under control.

Access to Experienced Employees

Some assume that offshore staffing means hiring unskilled or inexperienced workers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

This misconception often comes from the idea that lower costs must mean lower quality. In reality, many offshore professionals are just as qualified, experienced, and capable as their local counterparts if not more.

Most offshore staffing companies vet their candidates extensively and only select the best of the best, ensuring they meet and exceed industry standards.

Think about it, if offshore talent were low quality, how would companies like Arwana still be in business?

Stay Competitive Without Burning Out Your Team

The marketing industry moves faster than you can blink. Trends shift overnight, client expectations keep rising, deadlines are always tight, there is always something new to adapt to when it comes to the marketing industry,

If your team is constantly stretched thin, it’s only a matter of time before creativity suffers and burnout sets in. An overworked team leads to mistakes, slower turnaround times, and, ultimately, unhappy clients.

Many of our clients came to us when they were already struggling to keep up with demand. Some had even lost team members because of overwhelming workloads.

Arwana helped them scale without losing more in-house staff or pushing them to the limit. With the extra support we provide, agencies can take on more work, and keep their team focused and motivated.

Scale Faster Without the Overhead

Growth is exciting, but it comes with its own set of challenges especially when hiring locally.

Beyond salaries, agencies have to factor in office space, equipment, benefits, taxes, and other overhead costs. These expenses may seem small at first, but over time, they add up and become unsustainable, particularly for small agencies trying to make a name for themselves.

Hiring with Arwana eliminates many of these financial burdens. Our talent works remotely, and we provide workspaces for them, allowing agencies to expand their team without worrying about overhead expenses.

Conclusion

We understand the fears and misconceptions surrounding offshore staffing. Working with a remote team might seem risky.

“What if the quality isn’t up to par?” “What if communication becomes a challenge?”

These are valid concerns, and many agency owners hesitate because they’re unsure if offshore staffing is the right move.

But if you’ve been hesitant, ask yourself: What’s really holding you back? Is it fear of change? Worries about quality? Concerns over control? Or just uncertainty about where to start?

One thing Arwana wants to make clear is this: offshore staffing will never replace local teams, but it’s a sustainable alternative if you’re simply looking to augment your team and provide them with skilled support.  

So don’t be afraid to book a discovery call today, let’s help you find an amazing addition to your team.