What Does It Cost to Hire a Digital Marketing Firm? (The Complete Guide)
Thinking about hiring a digital marketing agency but unsure what it’ll cost? You’re not alone. Whether you're just starting or scaling fast, this guide will break down real-world pricing, what's included, and how to budget for results, not just activity.
Why Marketing Costs Vary So Widely
"Marketing" is a broad term. It could mean anything from direct mail to SEO, paid ads, or a video on YouTube. In this article, we’ll focus on full-service digital marketing firms, the kind that offer strategy, execution, and reporting across multiple channels.
How Much Does a Full-Service Digital Marketing Firm Cost?
Great agencies aren’t cheap. Most full-service digital marketing firms will cost $3,000–$5,000 per month at minimum, but some specialized or high-volume packages can easily run up to $15,000/month or more.
Here’s a general breakdown:
Good: $500–$3,000/month
Better: $3,000–$7,500/month
Best: $7,500–$15,000+/month
Think about it this way: hiring a full-time internal marketing team with all the needed skills (copywriting, social, video, design, analytics) would cost $30,000+/month. An agency bundles that into a more efficient package.
How Do Marketing Agency Costs Vary by Platform?
Let’s break down average monthly costs by platform and channel:
Meta (Facebook & Instagram)
Organic Management: $1,000/month
Paid Ads Management: $1,500/month
Recommended Ad Spend: $1,500/month
Organic Management: $2,000/month
Paid Ads Management: $2,500/month
Recommended Ad Spend: $2,500/month
Google/YouTube
Organic SEO & Video SEO: $1,250/month
Paid Ads Management: $2,000/month
Recommended Ad Spend: $2,000/month
TikTok
Organic Management: $1,000/month
Paid Ads Management: $1,500/month
Recommended Ad Spend: $1,500/month
Email Marketing
Campaign Management: $1,500/month
SMS Marketing
Campaign Management: $750/month
Creative Services
Video Production: $3,000–$15,000+ (one-time)
Photography: $1,000–$5,000 (one-time)
Graphic Design: $500–$1,500/month
Marketing Budget Tip: Most growing businesses should spend 4–6% of revenue on marketing, and at least 50% of that on digital.
What’s Included in a Full-Service Marketing Package?
Here are typical service components that drive costs:
Paid Ads (Meta, Google, TikTok, LinkedIn)
Organic Content (social + SEO)
Video & Photo Production
Graphic Design
Email Marketing
SMS Marketing
Data & POS Integration
Reporting & Attribution
Web Development
Pro Tip: If you’re only starting with one service, start with Meta paid ads within a 5-mile radius. High ROI, low barrier.
Which Digital Marketing Services Are Right for You?
Scenario: You’re Just Getting Started ("Good")
Meta Organic Content
Meta Paid Ads
Email Marketing
Graphic Design
Reporting
Scenario: You Want to Grow ("Better")
Everything above, plus:
SMS Marketing
Video Production
Scenario: You Want to Scale ("Best")
Everything above, plus:
Data Services
TikTok + Google/YouTube
Additional reporting & optimization
Digital Marketing Pricing Based on Business Size
Size affects scope. Larger companies typically:
Run more campaigns (e.g., 10+ Meta campaigns = $5K+/mo)
Send more emails (daily vs. weekly)
Require more assets: videos, graphics, ads, posts
Always ask for a pricing breakdown by volume (campaigns, sends, deliverables).
Agency vs. In-House Marketing: Which Costs Less?
In-House Pros
Deep company knowledge
Immediate team access
In-House Cons
Higher cost (e.g., 3 roles = $15K+/month)
Talent retention challenges
Harder to cover all skill sets
Agency Pros
More efficient cost for expertise
Scalable team
Specialized resources
Agency Cons
May lack company context
Limited to the scope of work
Contract commitments
Questions to Ask When Vetting an Agency
What platforms are your specialty?
Can you handle both video and graphic creative?
What ad spend do you recommend for our goals?
How many team members will be on our account?
What KPIs will you track?
How do you track leads, purchases, or store visits?
Are we locked into a contract?
How often will we meet?
Will we speak directly with the people doing the work?
How many posts, ads, or emails will we receive monthly?
Red Flags to Watch For
No clear KPIs or reporting
No video capabilities
Small team size with no clear ownership
Pricing isn’t transparent
No intake process asking about your goals
They overpromise guaranteed results (like specific ROAS)
So… What’s Best for Your Business?
It depends. Every company has different customers, goals, and budgets. But here’s how to move forward:
Start with your goals and budget. Know what you’re willing to invest.
Prioritize platforms your customers use. Don’t waste money where they’re not.
Get 2–3 proposals. Compare services, communication, and structure.
Work with a firm that understands your company size. A $3M business needs different support than a $30M one.
Final Pointers
Organic is cheapest, but slower.
Video is expensive, but powerful if you lack creative.
Meta is the best DIY option.
YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Answer questions.
Email/SMS is high-ROI for customer retention.
Want help breaking down your budget or scoping your ideal marketing setup? Start with a conversation. No pitch, just clarity.
