Key takeaways
- DIY makes sense early, when time is cheaper than money.
- Switch when marketing is eating time you should spend running the business.
- Look for clear reporting and people who do the work themselves.
- Keep ownership of your accounts, website and data.
Most small businesses start by doing their own marketing. That's smart early on. But at some point the hours you spend on ads, posts and your Google profile cost more than the help would.
1. Signs it's time
- You're spending evenings and weekends on marketing instead of the business.
- Your ads are running, but you're not sure which ones bring jobs.
- Your Google profile, website or social pages haven't been touched in months.
- Leads are slipping because nobody follows up fast enough.
- You're ready to grow, but results have stalled.
2. When to keep it DIY
- You're just starting and cash is tight.
- You enjoy it, have the time and it's working.
- You already have more work than you can handle.
3. Doing the math
Add up the hours you spend on marketing each month and multiply by what your time is worth running jobs or selling. Add the money lost to wasted ad spend and slow follow up. Compare that with what help costs. See our pricing.
4. What to look for in an agency
- They explain what they'll do in plain language.
- Reporting shows calls, leads and booked jobs, not just clicks.
- You own your ad accounts, website and customer data.
- The people you meet are the people doing the work.
- They have experience with businesses like yours.
See when to hire a Google Ads agency for questions to ask.
5. The first 90 days
Expect a setup period: fixing your Google profile, tracking, pages and follow up. Ads can bring calls in the first weeks. SEO builds over a few months. By the end of the first quarter you should clearly see where your leads come from.
