Digital marketing is no longer optional for UK businesses — it’s essential. But hiring a full-time in-house marketer can be expensive, especially for small and local businesses.
That’s why thousands of UK companies are now choosing to hire a part-time digital marketer or marketing consultant instead of a full-time employee.
This approach gives businesses:
- Expert support
- Lower costs
- Measurable growth
- Flexible hours
- Zero long-term commitments
In this guide, we’ll break down what a part-time digital marketer does, how they compare to agencies and full-time staff, and how much they cost in the UK — with real examples.
What Is a Part-Time Digital Marketer?
A part-time digital marketer is a trained marketing professional who works with your business for a set number of hours per month rather than full-time.
They typically handle:
✔ Lead Generation
Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Local Service Ads, landing pages.
✔ Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Local SEO, content, on-page optimisation, GBP optimisation.
✔ Website Management
Updates, funnel setup, tracking, speed optimisation.
✔ Social Media
Posting, planning campaigns, running ads, audience growth.
✔ Analytics & Reporting
Tracking leads, measuring ROI, improving performance.
✔ Marketing Strategy
Growth plans, targeting, competitor analysis, customer journey.
✔ Email & CRM
Campaigns, automation, follow-up sequences.
Most part-time digital marketers work with multiple UK businesses within local service industries such as:
plumbing, boiler installation, double glazing repair, restaurants, beauty, trades, ecommerce and professional services.
What Do They Actually Do for a Business? (With Examples)
Here are real tasks a part-time marketer performs and how they generate measurable results.
📌 Example 1 — Google Ads: Turning £300/month Into 30+ Leads
A Southampton-based misted windows & double glazing repair company hired part-time marketing support for Google Ads and local SEO.
The marketer:
- Created high-intent campaigns
- Added 35+ negative keywords
- Improved the landing page
- Set up call tracking
- Optimised ads weekly
Result:
✔ 30+ leads per month
✔ Spending only £300/month
✔ Quality enquiries (phone + form)
This would cost £1,500–£2,000/month with a traditional agency.
📌 Example 2 — Local SEO for a Plumbing/Heating Business
Local plumbers often depend heavily on “near me” searches.
A part-time marketer can:
- Optimise their Google Business Profile
- Add local service area pages
- Rank for keywords like “boiler repair [town]”
- Improve website speed & tracking
Result:
Organic (free) leads start coming in every week, reducing paid ad spend.
📌 Example 3 — Social Media + Content for a Restaurant
Restaurants need visibility and trust.
A part-time marketer:
- Manages Instagram & Facebook
- Runs targeted ads for bookings
- Sets up seasonal campaigns
- Posts regular content
Result:
Steady bookings without the cost of a full-time marketing team.
How Much Does a Part-Time Digital Marketer Cost in the UK?
Costs vary based on experience, services, and hours per month.
Here’s the UK market breakdown:
1. Freelance/Part-Time Digital Marketer (Most Flexible)
💷 Cost: £300 – £1,200/month
(for 4–20 hours/month depending on expertise)
Ideal for:
Small businesses, local services, trades, restaurants, startups.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Flexible
- Direct communication
- Fast execution
- Specialised skills
- No contract needed
- Cost-effective for UK SMBs
Cons:
- Limited hours
- One person (not a team)
This is usually the best value for money for small businesses.
2. Digital Marketing Consultant/Expert
💷 Cost: £500 – £2,500/month
(or £50–£150/hour)
Ideal for:
Businesses needing strategic planning + execution.
Pros:
- High expertise
- Deep strategic understanding
- Can audit your entire marketing
- Usually deliver better ROI than full-time staff
Cons:
- Higher hourly rate
- May not handle day-to-day tasks unless agreed
3. Hiring an Agency (Most Expensive)
💷 Cost: £1,000 – £5,000/month
(Plus ad spend)
Pros:
- Full team (designer, copywriter, SEO, PPC)
- Structured approach
- Reporting & processes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Long contracts
- Slower communication
- Small clients get less attention
- Not cost-effective for small businesses
Many UK local businesses are now switching from agencies to part-time marketers because of cost and personalised service.
4. Hiring a Full-Time In-House Marketer
💷 Cost: £28,000 – £50,000/year
(Plus NI, pension, training, benefits — making real cost £35k–£60k)
Pros:
- Dedicated resource
- Good for fast-growing companies
- Can do daily tasks
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Limited skill range
- High training cost
- No specialist skills (SEO/Google Ads may be weak)
Most small UK businesses cannot justify this expense.
Cost Comparison (Clear + Simple)
| Option | Cost (Monthly) | Best For | Skills Level | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-Time Digital Marketer | £300–£1,200 | Small UK businesses | High | Flexible |
| Marketing Consultant | £500–£2,500 | Strategic support | Very High | Flexible |
| Agency | £1,000–£5,000 | Medium/Large companies | Mixed (team) | Contract |
| Full-Time Hire | £3,000–£5,000 equivalent | Larger businesses | Generalist | Long-term |
Conclusion:
For UK local businesses, the part-time digital marketer provides the highest ROI with the lowest risk.
When Should a UK Business Hire a Part-Time Digital Marketer?
You should consider hiring part-time support when:
✔ You’re spending money on ads but not getting results
✔ Your website isn’t generating enquiries
✔ You don’t have time to do marketing yourself
✔ You’re growing but not ready for a full-time employee
✔ You need expert-level skills on a small budget
✔ You want predictable, consistent leads
✔ You need someone to manage everything properly
Most businesses start with 5–10 hours/month and scale up as they grow.
Why UK Businesses Prefer Part-Time Marketers (Real Benefits)
✔ Lower cost than agencies
✔ No long-term contracts
✔ Specialist skills (Google Ads, SEO, tracking, funnels)
✔ Direct communication
✔ Flexible hours
✔ Measurable results
✔ Quick setup and weekly improvements
This model is becoming extremely popular across the UK — especially for home-service businesses, local shops, trades, and small ecommerce stores.
Final Thoughts: The Smartest Option for UK Small Businesses
Hiring a part-time digital marketer gives you expert-level marketing at 20–30% of the cost of a full-time employee.
And and with the right person managing:
- SEO
- Google Ads
- Local Service Ads
- Social media
- Website
- Analytics
- Funnels
…your business growth becomes predictable, consistent and cost-effective.
Looking for a Part-Time Digital Marketer for Your UK Business?
We help UK local businesses grow with:
✔ Google Ads
✔ SEO
✔ Website optimisation
✔ Lead generation
✔ Social media
✔ Retargeting campaigns
✔ Tracking & reporting
You get expert-level marketing at very affordable management fees, without needing to hire full-time staff or commit to expensive agencies.
👉 Request a FREE Marketing Audit
We’ll show you exactly where you can improve and how many leads you can generate in your area.