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 usually consist of a diverse team that include PPC specialists, content creators, digital strategists and web developers.

This mix of expertise positions agencies well for projects that span several digital marketing disciplines.

For businesses requiring an integrated approach, an agency offers the convenience of a consolidated service.

However, for simpler projects focused on a narrow scope, such as just PPC or SEO, this level of resource may be surplus to requirements.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Winner: Consultant

Whilst agencies can pitch competitive prices, those numbers often include the expense of physical offices, administrative staff, and middle management.

Consultants tend to operate independently. That means your money goes directly towards their expertise, not business overheads.

For many, this makes PPC consultants the more cost-effective solution.

3. Resources

Winner: Agency

Owing to their access to a larger pool of professionals, agencies are often the go-to for sizeable PPC campaigns.

They can delegate responsibilities across their team, tackling several aspects at once.

If your business is after that kind of scale, an agency might suit your needs better.

4. Adaptability

Winner: Consultant

Because agencies manage large teams, they usually rely on fixed processes and frameworks to maintain consistency.

Even if team members are adaptable, updating your account or making changes often requires navigating internal systems.

Consultants bring a more tailored approach and can adjust course with minimal delay when your business needs evolve.

That level of flexibility is hugely beneficial in a fast-changing digital environment.

So, if you find yourself needing to shift strategy mid-project, a consultant can respond more swiftly than an agency, which may need to work through several internal steps.

5. Communication

Winner: Consultant

One key benefit of working with a consultant is the simplicity of having a single, steady point of contact.

This removes the typical agency experience of juggling different team members or onboarding new account managers.

Consultants offer direct access and communication with the person doing the work, not someone relaying messages.

That directness leads to better collaboration and a more efficient working 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

Agencies and consultants alike can deliver impressive PPC outcomes.

Agencies may provide access to specialist teams, although that structure can involve delegating work to junior staff members for development.

With consultants, the same person typically oversees all aspects of your PPC, offering a hands-on and consistent approach.

Final Score

  • Agency: 3
  • Consultant: 5

Conclusion

Both Waste Management 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 Waste Management PPC consultant…read more