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Do you implement changes yo your client’s site, or let them/their web dev handle it?
Posted by on January 19, 2026 at 11:43 amLike the question says. I am opening an agency targeting medium to large ecommerce businesses, but I am confused as to whether we should implement our recommended changes to clients' websites.
Main reason? From experience at the agency I worked at (all-niche agency targetting small businesses with fixed deliverables), the tech team always had trouble implementing changes to websites.
I mean there's tons of different web builders each with their own issues, and on top of that of course, no website is designed in the same manner as last.
Result? Tech team spends 90% of their time learning clients' websites and implementing on-page recommendations, and 10% doing actual tech SEO.
I'd love to hear what you recommend doing, because on the other hand, no client likes to have to do something themselves or hire a web dev. Should we just outsource this part?
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1 Reply
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I work as a consultant. I tell them what needs changed and why. It is up to their web developer and/or content team to make the changes.
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Honestly, don’t do it. For medium/large ecom, you should be the ‘Architect’, not the ‘Plumber’.
If your tech team spends 90% of their time figuring out a client’s custom CMS, your margins are dying. The best move is to provide high-quality ‘Technical Tickets’ (Jira/Asana) for their dev team and then just handle the QA to make sure they did it right.
It keeps you scalable and keeps the liability on their side if something breaks. -
As someone who used to manage the Ecom operations of medium to large ecom businesses – I wouldnt have been letting you anywhere near the website. I have a web agency or dev team for that. Nobody who is running such an operation doesnt have a team to do this.
Your job is to make recommendations – and not all will be implemented to as its a business decision as to what spend and resources go where.
Its a bit different for smaller operators, as they are likely to not have a web team or dev support.
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We have a ‘if we didn’t build it we aren’t updating it’ rule.
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It sounds like you know what you want to do:). Full service agencies can charge an additional premium, but like you’ve mentioned…is it worth your time? And more interestingly, is it worth your energy? Regardless of the time input, is that a service you would enjoy offering?
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I’ve been at agencies that sit both sides of this debate but generally (unless it’s something heavy tech wise) I find it easier to do myself. Saves going back & forth asking someone else to do it, means you can get changes implemented sooner rather than later so the changes can start delivering results. Also if you’re managing an agency that means more work and more billable time.
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Depends on CMS familiarity.
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