Cheap Article Writing Services – What to Expect
With the rise of content marketing over the past decade, there has been growing demand for cheap article writing services online. While many clients are eager to outsource article writing tasks to save money and time, it’s important to understand what you can reasonably expect from these low-cost services versus higher-tier options. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of cheap article writing so you can make an informed decision about whether a budget service is right for your needs.
What Are Cheap Article Writing Services?
Cheap article writing services generally charge below $10 per 300 words for run-of-the-mill articles on general topics. Writers are often paid as little as $5-7 per article. At these rock-bottom rates, clients can get a sizable amount of content produced for a very low overall cost. Low pay typically translates to lower writing standards and less original work. Writers must work quickly to churn out articles and still earn a living wage at these rates.
Pros of Cheap Article Writing
Inexpensive option to build up content library quickly on a limited budget
Wide topic coverage available since writers handle many topics
Fast turnaround times (1-3 days standard) to keep content pipeline filled
Basic formatting, links, and keyword incorporation included in most packages
Cons to Consider
Lower writing quality overall since focus is speed over polished work
High likelihood of plagiarized, recycled, or machine-generated content
Little to no research done – articles may lack depth or credibility
Grammatical and factual errors more common without thorough editing
Minimal customization – articles won’t be tailored precisely to your business or niche
Limited author expertise – writers bounce between many unrelated topics
What to Realistically Expect Quality-Wise
Cheap article writers are under pressure to complete high volumes of work to earn a living income. As such, shortcuts are common. Plagiarized paragraphs, machine-generated text, and loosely paraphrased content from other sites fills out articles quickly. Little original writing or thoughtful analysis occurs.
At these prices, in-depth topic research, targeted keyword optimization, and multiple rounds of editing are out of the question. Expect writing that is adequate for basic SEO gains but reads somewhat bland or vague. Technical errors, inconsistent vocabulary, weak formatting, and iffy flow are all non-issues for budget services.
Customization is limited – articles will not be deeply tailored to your company’s voice, offer, customer base or online presence as higher tiers provide. Generic stock content reigns to maximize output. Writers will not become experts about your particular business domain or industry either.
Subject expertise jumps all around as writers take on any topic sent their way, creating a lack of authority. Industry-specific word choices, process intricacies or competitive analyses are beyond the scope of most low-cost orders, which are filled as quickly as possible sans deep dove investigations.
Where Cheap Writing Fits In
For certain content initiatives on a tight budget, low-cost writing can have its place:
Supplemental articles for a newly launched site to bulk up pages and gain basic SEO benefits initially.
Very broad, informational evergreen articles meant for general readers/searchers rather than targeted leads or customers.
Articles on secondary or transitional pages that don’t require in-depth optimization or customization.
Basic how-to, definition or list pages where light writing and formatting suffice.
Articles solely meant to be posted on social profiles or shared via low-engagement channels.
For priority pages targeting high-intent customers or key keyword phrases, main money site pages, and content driving actual conversions, mid-tier or premium writing is usually worth the investment. Higher quality translates to increased lead quality and conversions over time.
Consider Upshelling For Priority Content
While it’s tempting to outsource all writing tasks cheaply, selectively upshelling select projects can pay off better in the long run. Consider requesting revised quotes from the cheap service or going with a mid-tier provider for:
Homepage and landing page content since impressions here are valuable
In-depth product descriptions and case studies
Long-form and highly optimized blog posts
Search engine optimized white papers
Content developed for lead magnets and other high-intent assets
Content going out under your company brand name
Paying a bit more ensures these money pages have stronger writing tailored specifically for your goals and audience. Higher search rankings and leads may follow for priority keywords and topics.
Having a mix of budgets allows for both content volume and extra polish where it counts most. The keys are knowing what content is most critical to track and maximize quality for those high ROI assets through upshelling or using alternative providers.
Does A Cheap Service Fit Your Needs?
For small starter sites or initiatives with minuscule promotion budgets, low-cost article farms can help bulk up pages and lay basic foundational content. But be aware of quality tradeoffs and don’t expect strong original writing.
Larger projects driving conversions or targeting hyper-competitive keywords may be better served prioritizing select premium content instead of farming everything out for dirt cheap. Do some A/B testing and analyze content performance to see which types of articles truly move the needle for your goals.
Overall, cheap article writing services have their place, but quality should not be fully sacrificed either. With realistic expectations and selective upshelling of important content, budget services can supplement content initiatives without compromising too much on substance or results.
Andrew Stroud