Marketing Agency Cost Calculator

Real numbers. No guesswork.

What Should You Expect to Pay for a Marketing Agency?

By Trace Marriott

Hiring a digital marketing agency can feel like ordering off a menu with no prices. What should this cost? What’s actually included? And how do you know if you’re getting real value or just a slick pitch?

This guide breaks it down—so you can make a smart, confident investment in the right team for your goals.

What Impacts Marketing Agency Pricing?

Marketing costs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s what moves the needle:

• Scope of Work: More services, more budget. A full stack (SEO, ads, content, social) costs more than a single-channel plan.

• Agency Experience: Proven teams charge more—and usually deliver more.

• Project Duration: One-off campaigns often cost more per month than long-term retainers.

• Industry Focus: Specialized expertise (think law, healthcare, SaaS) can raise the rate.

• Location: Big-city agencies typically have bigger overhead—and higher prices.

• Service Demand: High-demand areas like paid social may come with premium pricing.

What’s on the Table? A Look at Digital Marketing Service Packages

Digital marketing agencies typically organize their offerings into packages. These help simplify planning, clarify deliverables, and make budgeting easier. Think of this as a breakdown of what’s typically “on the menu”:

SEO Packages

$350–$5,000/month

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) improves your visibility in search results over time. A typical package includes:

• Keyword research and mapping
• On-page content optimization
• Link-building and technical SEO support

PPC Management Packages

$300–$5,000/month

Pay-per-click (PPC) helps you reach customers immediately through paid ads. These packages generally cover:

• Campaign setup and ad copy
• Bid strategy and optimization
• Performance tracking and reporting

Social Media Marketing Packages

$750–$5,000/month

Engage audiences on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Most packages include:

• Content planning and creation
• Community management (comments, DMs)
• Social ad setup and optimization

Email Marketing Packages

$600–$3,000/campaign

Reach your customers where they check every day: their inbox. These packages typically offer:

• List segmentation and targeting
• Custom email copy and design
• Automation flows and performance analytics

Branding Packages

$1,000–$10,000+

Build or refresh your brand’s identity from the ground up. This kind of work includes:

• Logo design and visual system
• Brand voice and messaging strategy
• Style guides and asset creation

What About Ad Agency Pricing?

If you’re running campaigns beyond search or social—think media buys, large-scale creative, or brand campaigns—here’s what to expect:

• Per Campaign: $1,000–$5,000
• Hourly Rates: $150–$200/hour
• Performance-Based: Commissioned on results like cost per lead or ROI

SEO Pricing in More Detail

SEO pricing depends heavily on the starting point and the competitive landscape.

• One-Time SEO Audit: $0–$5,000 (We offer this for free, and many agencies do the same.)
• Monthly Retainers: $350–$5,000+ (Depending on whether you’re getting content, link building, technical fixes—or all of the above.)
• We also offer a pricing calculator to help you estimate based on your goals, website, and industry.

PPC Pricing Basics

PPC costs include two parts: ad spend (what goes to the platform) and management fees (what goes to the agency).

• Small businesses: $500–$5,000/month
• Mid-size businesses: $5,000–$10,000/month
• Enterprise campaigns: $10,000+/month
• Agency fees: Typically 10–20% of ad spend

Creative & Design Pricing

Branding and design agencies can help define your look and feel. Typical pricing includes:

• Logo Design: $1,000–$10,000
• Website Design: $2,500–$50,000
• Branding Systems: $10,000–$50,000+

Whether you’re building from scratch or reworking an established brand, these costs reflect long-term foundational work.

Wrapping It Up

Marketing agency pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all—but understanding the variables helps you plan smarter. Use our pricing calculator to get a clear estimate, compare your options, and invest in what works.