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Agency Fee
Analysis

Most companies overpay their agencies by 15-30%. Our independent analysis reveals whether your fees align with industry standards.

The Problem

Agency fee structures are intentionally complex. Percentage of spend, retainers, platform fees, management fees—it all adds up. Without an independent benchmark, you have no way to know if you're getting fair value.

Most companies have no idea if their agency fees are competitive. They signed a contract years ago, and annual increases have compounded without anyone asking: "Is this still a fair deal?"

That's where we come in. With access to benchmark data across industries and agency types, we can tell you exactly where you stand.

Common Fee Red Flags

% of Spend Above 15%
Industry standard is 10-15% for most verticals
Hidden Platform Markups
Some agencies add 20-30% to third-party tool costs
No Fee Tiers at Scale
Your % should decrease as spend increases
Vague Scope of Work
Unclear deliverables = unlimited upselling

What We Analyze

A comprehensive review of every cost component to give you complete visibility into your agency spend.

Retainer Fees

Monthly management fees compared against market rates for your industry, spend level, and service scope.

% of Spend Fees

Analysis of percentage-based fees and whether they're competitive at your current and projected spend levels.

Technology Costs

Review of platform fees, tool markups, and technology costs to identify pass-through vs. profit centers.

Performance Bonuses

Evaluation of bonus structures to ensure they're tied to meaningful KPIs and achievable thresholds.

Scope of Work

Comparison of stated deliverables against actual output and industry norms for similar engagements.

Contract Terms

Review of termination clauses, auto-renewals, rate increase provisions, and ownership rights.

Industry Benchmarks

We maintain current benchmark data across agency types and spend levels. Here's a general overview.

Service Type
Low
Typical
High
PPC Management (% of spend)
8%
10-15%
20%+
SEO Retainer (monthly)
$2,500
$5-10K
$25K+
Social Media Management
$2,000
$4-8K
$15K+
Programmatic (% of spend)
10%
15-20%
30%+
Full-Service Retainer
$10K
$15-30K
$75K+

* Benchmarks vary significantly by industry, geography, and scope. Contact us for specific comparisons.

What You Receive

Fee Analysis Report
Line-by-line breakdown of your current fees with benchmark comparisons and savings opportunities.
Negotiation Playbook
Specific talking points and data to use in your next agency negotiation or RFP.
Executive Briefing
Live session to walk through findings, answer questions, and discuss strategy.

Are You Overpaying?

Find out with a confidential fee analysis. No obligation, no pressure—just clarity on whether you're getting a fair deal.

Request Fee Analysis