When considering PPC services for your business, one decision you will have to make on the way is choosing between a PPC agency and consultant (in fact, you most likely clicked on this article to help with that exact decision!).

While both agencies and consultants aim to drive profitable leads and revenue through paid advertising, their approach, structure, and relationship with clients differ significantly.

  • PPC agencies typically consist of multiple people skilled in PPC, account managers, developers, admin staff and directors.
  • PPC consultants on the other hand are just the person skilled in PPC, covering admin duties themselves.

To help you decide between the two, I’ll compare both against seven key factors that are important to businesses deciding between choosing an agency or a consultant:

  1. Variety of Skills
  2. Cost-Effectiveness
  3. Resources
  4. Adaptability
  5. Communication
  6. Personalised Service
  7. Quality of Work

1. Variety of Skills

Winner: Agency

PPC agencies, by nature, typically have a broad team of experts including PPC specialists, developers, account strategists, copywriters and more.

This allows them to collaborate effectively on cross-functional projects.

For brands looking for a single provider to cover a wide array of needs, agencies can be a natural fit.

Nonetheless, when the task at hand is relatively narrow, like PPC or SEO, this broader capacity may not be essential.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Winner: Consultant

While agency quotes can be cost-effective, they often build in expenses for physical premises, leadership staff, and admin personnel.

With consultants, you bypass all of that. You’re investing in their knowledge, not a corporate hierarchy.

Consequently, PPC consultants typically prove the more economical option.

3. Resources

Winner: Agency

Thanks to their team-based structure, agencies are often ideal for handling more complex or high-volume projects.

They have the capacity to assign various specialists to different areas of your PPC simultaneously.

So, if your campaign demands a coordinated team effort, an agency could be the more suitable option.

4. Adaptability

Winner: Consultant

Due to their scale, agencies often stick to fixed processes that help them manage teams and client work consistently.

This can sometimes create delays if updates to your account or direction are needed.

Consultants are able to adapt in real-time, offering a service that’s closely aligned with your unique requirements.

In the digital world, where priorities can change quickly, this can be a significant advantage.

So, should your strategy need a quick turnaround, a consultant can often act immediately, unlike agencies that may need to consult management first.

5. Communication

Winner: Consultant

A key advantage of working with a consultant is having one consistent point of contact throughout the project.

This means you avoid the common agency experience of being handed from one account manager to another or dealing with staff changes mid-way through.

With a consultant, communication tends to be clearer and more direct, as you’re speaking to the person actually doing the work.

This kind of connection not only saves time but also helps foster a stronger, more collaborative relationship.

6. Personal Service

Winner: Consultant

PPC consultants are personally invested in your success because their livelihood depends directly on their results and client satisfaction.

Unlike agencies, which often report to directors or larger management teams, consultants focus solely on your needs.

This personal attention often translates into better service and more dedication.

For example, while an PPC agency may treat you as one of many clients, a consultant sees your success as a reflection of their own.

7. Quality of Work

Winner: Equal

Consultants and agencies both have the ability to deliver strong PPC campaigns.

Agencies may draw on a mix of experts, but that often involves delegating tasks to more junior staff as part of their development.

Consultants, however, usually manage the full project themselves, which means your strategy benefits from a more personal, detail-oriented approach.

Final Score

  • Agency: 3
  • Consultant: 5

Conclusion

Both Removals PPC agencies and consultants have their strengths.

While agencies bring extensive resources and a variety of skills, consultants may offer a more cost-effective, adaptable, and personalised approach.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of working with a Removals PPC consultant…read more