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 typically bring a varied skill set to the table, with teams made up of specialists in PPC, web development, content and strategic planning.

This makes them well-equipped to execute campaigns requiring collaboration across different disciplines.

For clients seeking an all-round digital partner, an agency setup can be ideal.

However, not every project warrants such a wide-ranging team, particularly if the focus is only on PPC or SEO.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Winner: Consultant

Agencies can provide competitive rates, but it’s worth remembering they also carry the costs of office premises, management teams, and support staff.

Independent consultants generally avoid these overheads. You’re paying for their skills and experience, not the extra layers that come with an agency structure.

All things considered, PPC consultants often represent the more economical choice.

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

With multiple teams to coordinate, agencies often lean on standard operating procedures to keep things running smoothly.

While the individuals you deal with may be flexible, the broader team might take time to adjust to changes in direction.

Consultants offer a more fluid experience. They can shape their work around your needs and change tack as required.

That sort of adaptability is invaluable when digital trends shift rapidly.

If, mid-project, you decide to revise your PPC approach, a consultant is generally quicker to implement changes than an agency working through layers of process.

5. Communication

Winner: Consultant

Having one consistent contact is one of the big advantages of choosing a consultant.

Agencies often rotate staff or assign different managers, which can disrupt progress and communication.

With a consultant, you get direct updates from the expert actually carrying out the work.

This straightforward setup makes for faster responses and a closer working relationship.

6. Personal Service

Winner: Consultant

Consultants rely on strong results and client satisfaction to sustain their business, so they’re often more personally invested in your success.

They don’t have directors or departments pulling them in different directions – their energy is focused squarely on helping you achieve your goals.

That level of personal accountability can make a big difference.

Whereas agencies may divide their focus, consultants treat each client as a top priority.

7. Quality of Work

Winner: Equal

Both agencies and consultants can deliver high-quality PPC services.

Agencies may have access to more specialists, but this can sometimes lead to work being delegated to junior staff members for upskilling.

Consultants, on the other hand, typically handle all aspects of your PPC strategy themselves, ensuring consistency and attention to detail.

Final Score

  • Agency: 3
  • Consultant: 5

Conclusion

Both Takeaway 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 Takeaway PPC consultant…read more