How to Find the Best PPC Agency
Not all PPC agencies are created equal. Learn what separates the best from the rest, and how to choose the right partner for your business.
How do I choose a PPC agency?
Choose a PPC agency by evaluating six key factors: transparent flat-fee pricing (not percentage of spend), proven case studies with real metrics, experience in your specific industry, clear communication with a dedicated account manager, a data-driven optimization approach, and flexible contracts without long-term lock-in.
Agencies that charge a percentage of ad spend have a built-in incentive to increase your budget—even when it's not in your best interest. Flat-fee agencies align their success with yours: they succeed by making your campaigns more efficient, not by inflating your spend.
Choosing the right PPC agency can be the difference between profitable growth and wasted budget. With thousands of agencies claiming to be the "best," how do you actually find one that will deliver results?
After 15+ years in the industry and managing over £20M in ad spend, we've seen what works and what doesn't. This guide shares the qualities to look for, red flags to avoid, and questions to ask before signing with any PPC agency.
6 Qualities of the Best PPC Agencies
Transparent Pricing
The best PPC agencies are upfront about their fees. Look for flat monthly fees rather than percentage of spend, which creates misaligned incentives.
Proven Track Record
Case studies, testimonials, and verifiable results. The best agencies can demonstrate measurable improvements for clients in your industry.
Industry Experience
Experience in your specific industry matters. The best PPC agencies understand your market, competition, and customer journey.
Clear Communication
Regular reporting, accessible account managers, and honest conversations about what's working and what isn't.
Data-Driven Approach
The best agencies make decisions based on data, not hunches. They track everything and optimize based on what the numbers show.
No Long-Term Lock-In
Good agencies earn your business every month. Avoid agencies that require 12+ month contracts—they should be confident in their ability to deliver.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Guarantees specific results (no one can guarantee rankings or conversions)
- Won't give you access to your own Google Ads account
- Unclear or hidden fees in their pricing
- No case studies or references available
- Focuses on vanity metrics like impressions instead of conversions
- Outsources all work overseas without disclosure
- Pushes you to spend more without justification
- Takes weeks to respond to questions or concerns
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- 1How do you charge for your services? Is it a percentage of spend or flat fee?
- 2Who will actually be managing my account? What's their experience level?
- 3How often will we communicate? What reporting will I receive?
- 4Can you share case studies from clients in my industry?
- 5What happens if I want to leave? How long is the notice period?
- 6Will I have full access to my Google Ads account?
- 7How do you measure success? What KPIs do you focus on?
- 8What's your process for the first 90 days?
Why Choose PPC Chief?
Flat Monthly Fees
No percentage of spend. You always know exactly what you're paying.
Senior Expertise
Your account is managed by experienced PPC professionals, not juniors.
Transparent Reporting
Real metrics that matter—conversions, revenue, and ROI.
No Long Lock-In
3-month initial commitment, then month-to-month. We earn your business.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- Our management fees start at £1,500/month for businesses spending £3k-10k/month on ads, and £2,500/month for those spending £10k+ per month. We also offer a one-time Strategy Session for £400 that includes a comprehensive audit and 90-day roadmap. This fee is credited towards your first month if you decide to work with us.
- Full campaign management includes: keyword research and negative keyword management, ad copy creation and A/B testing, bid optimization, conversion tracking setup, landing page recommendations, weekly optimization, monthly performance reports, and a dedicated account manager. We manage Google Search, Display, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns.
- We charge a flat monthly management fee, not a percentage of ad spend. This aligns our incentives with yours—we're focused on efficiency and results, not inflating your budget. Our fees are based on account complexity and ad spend tier, and you'll always know exactly what you're paying.
- Most clients see measurable improvements within the first 30 days as we implement quick wins like negative keyword cleanup, bid adjustments, and ad copy improvements. Significant performance gains typically emerge by months 2-3 as we gather data and optimize campaigns more deeply. We'll set realistic expectations during your Strategy Session.
- We specialize in e-commerce, B2B lead generation, SaaS, professional services, and non-profit organizations. Our experience spans 15+ years and $20M+ in managed ad spend across these sectors. If you're spending at least £3,000/month on Google Ads and want to improve your ROI, we can likely help.
- No. We work on a month-to-month basis after an initial 3-month commitment. The initial period allows enough time to properly optimize your campaigns and demonstrate results. After that, you can cancel with 30 days notice. We earn your business every month.
- It's a quick assessment of your Google Ads account to identify obvious areas of wasted spend—things like broad match keywords eating budget, missing negative keywords, or poor quality scores. We'll show you exactly where you're losing money and what can be improved. It takes about 15 minutes of your time and there's no obligation.
- Yes, we need manager access to optimize your campaigns effectively. You retain full ownership and admin access to your account at all times. If we part ways, we simply remove our access—your account, data, and campaigns remain entirely yours.
- You'll get a dedicated account manager available via email and Slack. We provide weekly optimization summaries and detailed monthly performance reports. Growth and Scale clients also get regular strategy calls. We believe in transparent communication—you'll always know what we're doing and why.
Ready to Work with a Transparent PPC Agency?
Get a free Wasted Spend Analysis. No sales pitch—just honest feedback on your Google Ads performance.