Deciding whether to outsource PPC management is a critical choice for growing businesses. With paid advertising platforms becoming increasingly complex and agencies providing access to specialized expertise that would cost significantly more to build in-house, outsourcing offers compelling advantages. This guide covers when outsourcing makes sense, the benefits you can expect, and how to find and manage the right partner.
Not every business needs to outsource their PPC campaigns. Here are the signs that indicate outsourcing might be right for you.
Your campaigns are stagnating: If your performance has plateaued and you've exhausted your optimization ideas, fresh expertise can identify new opportunities.
You're spending significant budget: Once you're spending $5,000+ monthly on ads, the stakes are high enough to justify professional management. Poor campaign management at this level wastes real money.
You lack the time for proper management: PPC campaigns require ongoing optimization—keyword refinement, bid adjustments, ad testing, and performance analysis. If you can't dedicate sufficient time, performance suffers.
Platform complexity overwhelms you: Google and Microsoft Ads add new features constantly. Automated bidding, Performance Max, audience layering, and AI-powered tools require expertise to leverage effectively.
Your team lacks specialized skills: PPC management is a discipline that requires specific knowledge. Generalist marketers often struggle to maximize platform capabilities.
Outsourcing PPC management offers tangible advantages for businesses at scale.
Rather than hiring one person, outsourcing gives you access to a team of experts with diverse specializations:
This team approach means someone always has the expertise you need.
According to Sandhill Digital, building an equivalent in-house team (designer, data expert, ad manager) would cost over $450,000 annually. Outsourcing delivers this expertise at a fraction of the cost—typically $2,000-10,000 monthly depending on scope.
You also save on:
Agencies invest in enterprise-level tools that would be expensive for individual businesses:
These tools improve campaign performance and reporting quality.
Professional management typically delivers better keyword targeting, improved performance tracking, and optimized ad spend. Agencies have seen patterns across hundreds of accounts and know what works.
Results clients commonly report include:
One case study from NinjaPromo showed a client cutting their cost per conversion in half after switching to outsourced management.
Agencies can scale resources up or down based on your needs:
This flexibility is difficult to replicate with in-house staff.
Choosing the wrong agency wastes money and time. Here's how to find the right fit.
Before evaluating agencies, clarify what you need:
Look for agencies that demonstrate:
Platform Certifications: Google Partner, Microsoft Advertising Partner status indicates verified expertise and ongoing training.
Relevant Experience: Ask for case studies in your industry or with similar business models. Past success with comparable challenges predicts future performance.
Transparent Pricing: Avoid agencies that won't share their pricing model upfront. Understand exactly what you'll pay and what's included.
Process Clarity: They should explain their approach to strategy, optimization, and reporting before you sign.
During evaluation, ask:
Watch for warning signs:
Success with an outsourced PPC partner requires proper relationship management.
From the start, establish:
Your agency needs context to succeed:
The more they understand your business, the better they can manage campaigns.
Schedule structured reviews to assess:
Monthly strategy calls keep everyone aligned and accountable.
Always maintain ownership and admin access to your ad accounts. This ensures:
Ready to outsource your PPC management? Follow these steps.
Document your current performance, campaigns, and spend. This baseline helps evaluate agency performance later.
Identify 3-5 potential agency partners. Check their certifications, reviews, and case studies.
Share your requirements and ask for detailed proposals including approach, timeline, and pricing.
Meet with top candidates. Assess cultural fit, communication style, and strategic thinking.
Once selected, invest in proper onboarding. Share brand guidelines, business context, and historical data. Set up access and establish communication rhythms.
PPC management fees typically range from $1,500 to $10,000+ monthly, depending on your ad spend and service scope. Most agencies charge 10-20% of ad spend or flat monthly retainers. Expect setup fees of $1,000-5,000 separately.
Outsource if you lack time, expertise, or budget for a full-time specialist. Hire in-house if you need someone deeply integrated with your team, have substantial ongoing needs, and can afford a competitive salary plus tools and training.
Look for platform certifications, relevant case studies, transparent pricing, clear processes, and strong communication. Ensure they let you own your accounts and data, and avoid agencies requiring long contracts without performance clauses.
Ready to outsource your PPC management to experienced professionals? Contact us to discuss your needs, or schedule a free consultation to explore how our team can improve your Microsoft Advertising and Google Ads performance.
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