Marketing agency costs vary widely based on scope, services, and engagement model.
Some agencies offer fixed-fee packages with set deliverables and monthly rates. Others price based on the client's budget, cashflow, and specific needs. Most agencies calculate costs based on time required rather than the service itself - a simple website might cost less than complex SEO work purely because of hours involved, not perceived value of the service.
Project-based work gets quoted individually, while retainers typically range from £1,500 to £10,000+ monthly depending on what's included.
Most agencies have minimum engagement thresholds. Below a certain monthly commitment, the relationship isn't commercially viable to maintain. This isn't about greed - agencies are businesses with overheads, and small engagements cost as much to manage administratively as larger ones.
However, even modest retainers offer value beyond the immediate deliverables. Being on an agency's books provides access to talent, resources, and experience that would otherwise require a new engagement process each time support is needed. An agency backed by larger operations (like Mumble Marketing through Hayward Miller) brings expertise from working with major clients, even on smaller engagements.
Think of it as an engine that requires fuel to run. The cost depends on what needs to be built, but having that engine available on demand has inherent value.
Commission-only or success-fee structures get requested regularly but rarely work. Marketing agencies cannot operate on deferred payment models - the work happens upfront, costs are immediate, and results depend on factors beyond the agency's control.
Mumble Marketing works with businesses showing potential and growth trajectory, pricing based on actual scope rather than fixed packages. But fair compensation matters - good agencies employ real people with bills to pay.
