Digital Marketing News
Small Business Grants in Australia That Can Fund Marketing
How to find and apply for small business grants in Australia, what they can pay for, and when marketing can be part of a funded project.
How to choose a marketing agency: start by being clear on what you need and what success looks like, then shortlist agencies that have done similar work, ask how they’ll measure results, check who will actually do the work, and read the contract terms before you sign. The right agency explains things plainly, reports on enquiries and sales rather than vanity numbers, and tells you when something isn’t worth doing.
What does a marketing agency do?
A marketing agency plans and runs marketing for other businesses. Depending on the agency, that can include strategy, websites, SEO, Google Ads, social media, email, content, design, video and PR. Some specialise in one channel; others offer several.
What is a full service digital marketing agency?
A full service agency covers most channels under one roof, so one team plans and runs your website, search, ads, social media and content together. That suits businesses that want one point of contact. A specialist agency suits businesses that only need one thing done very well. Our full service marketing page explains how we work across channels.
What should you consider when choosing a marketing agency?
- Relevant experience: have they worked with businesses like yours, in your industry or region? Ask for examples and case studies you can check.
- Clear strategy: do they ask about your goals, customers and numbers before recommending anything?
- Measurement: will they report on enquiries, sales and cost per lead, not just clicks and likes?
- Who does the work: will you deal with the people doing the work, or will it be passed to someone else?
- Communication: how often will you meet, and who is your contact?
- Pricing and terms: is the price clear, what’s included, and is there a lock-in contract?
- Ownership: will you own your website, ad accounts, analytics and content?
- Fit: do they explain things in plain language and seem genuinely interested in your business?
What should you ask a digital marketing agency?
- What would you do first for a business like mine, and why?
- Can you show me work for similar businesses, and can I speak to a client?
- How will you measure success, and what will your monthly report include?
- Who will work on my account day to day?
- What does it cost, what’s included, and what costs extra?
- How long is the contract, and what happens if I want to leave?
- Who owns the website, ad accounts and data if we part ways?
- Is ad spend included in your fee, or paid separately to the platform?
What are the red flags when choosing a marketing agency?
- Promised rankings or results. No one controls Google or customers, and promising specific results can be misleading.
- Vague pricing or reluctance to put inclusions in writing.
- Long lock-in contracts with high exit fees and no way out if results don’t come.
- Owning your accounts: the agency sets up ad accounts or your domain in its own name.
- Reports full of vanity metrics (impressions, likes) but nothing about enquiries or sales.
- A sales pitch before questions: recommending a package before understanding your business.
- Reviews or case studies you can’t verify.
Our guide to misleading advertising in Australia explains why honest claims matter, for agencies and their clients alike.
How do marketing agencies charge?
Common pricing models include:
| Model | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly retainer | A fixed monthly fee for agreed work or hours | Ongoing marketing across channels |
| Project fee | A fixed price for a defined job, such as a website | One-off projects |
| Hourly rate | Billed for time spent | Small or occasional jobs |
| Management fee plus percentage of ad spend | A fee for running ads, often with a percentage of spend | Paid advertising |
How much is a marketing agency?
It depends on the scope. As examples of how we charge: our websites start from $5,000 + GST, SEO from $1,000 + GST a month with no lock-in contract, social media management from $1,500 + GST a month, and marketing partnerships from $4,500 + GST a month for 28 hours of work across channels. Extra design and marketing work is $175 + GST an hour. Ad spend is paid to the platform on top of any management fee.
How do you choose a digital marketing agency for a small business?
Small businesses usually need an agency that can cover the basics well (website, Google, social media) without a big-business price tag or process. Look for an agency that’s comfortable starting small, explains what each dollar does, and will tell you when a cheaper option, such as fixing your Google Business Profile, is the better first step.
How do you evaluate a digital marketing agency after you hire it?
Agree the goals and reporting at the start, then check monthly: are enquiries and cost per lead moving in the right direction? Give channels a fair time to work (ads quickly, SEO over months) and ask for a plan to fix anything that isn’t. Our guide on how to measure marketing ROI shows what to look at.
Are marketing agencies worth it?
They can be, if the work brings in more profit than it costs and frees up your time. An agency gives you a team of specialists for less than hiring them all. It’s not worth it if you’re paying for activity no one measures. Our article on in-house marketing vs outsourcing compares the options.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a local marketing agency?
A local agency understands your region and can meet in person, which many businesses value. But experience with businesses like yours matters more than location.
How many agencies should I talk to?
Two or three is usually enough to compare approach, price and fit.
Can I use more than one agency?
Yes, but someone needs to coordinate them so your message and tracking stay consistent.
What should be in a marketing agency contract?
The scope of work, price and what’s included, reporting, the minimum term and notice period, who owns the accounts and content, and how either side can end the agreement.
The short version
To choose a marketing agency, know your goals, ask for relevant examples, check how they measure results and who does the work, make sure you own your accounts, and avoid promised results, vague pricing and lock-ins. Pick the one that understands your business and reports on what matters.
If you’d like to see how we’d approach your marketing, book a free 30-minute discovery call.
