Google Ads agency pricing comparison - how agencies charge and what it costs

Why a Google Ads agency pricing comparison matters

Choosing a Google Ads partner starts with understanding pricing models and what you actually get for your fee. This Google Ads agency pricing comparison breaks down common fee structures, real-world US examples in $, and the trade-offs between percentage, flat, and performance-linked models so founders and marketing leaders can align spend with revenue goals.

Common pricing models you'll see

• Percentage of ad spend - agency fee is a percent of monthly media spend (typical ranges shown below).
• Flat monthly management - fixed retainer independent of spend, often used with predictable deliverables.
• Setup + management - one-time setup fee plus lower monthly fee during ongoing management.
• Performance or hybrid - a lower base fee plus bonus tied to CPA, ROAS, or revenue metrics.

Head-to-head comparison table

Numbers above are US-focused estimates and should be treated as ranges rather than guarantees. For many scaling Shopify stores and B2B advertisers the right model depends on CAC, LTV, and how cleanly conversions are attributed.

What to look for beyond headline price

• Deliverables: weekly optimization, creative testing, and reporting cadence.
• Attribution clarity: GA4, server-side tracking, and funnel-level metrics.
• Responsibility split: who owns landing pages, tracking, and creative?
• Scaling plan: strategy → build → test → scale → report.

When running a Google Ads agency pricing comparison, tie fees to expected revenue outcomes. For an estimated US eCommerce store with $50,000 monthly ad spend and 3% margin lift from optimization, a percentage model at 15% costs $7,500/month but should be weighed against expected CAC reductions and LTV improvements.

If you want a baseline for how an agency like ours approaches deliverables and measurement, see our overview of services here and our firm background on the homepage. These links show typical inclusions when comparing fees across agencies.

Applying the Google Ads agency pricing comparison to your US business

Translate the comparison into scenarios: a B2B SaaS company with $20,000/month in spend prioritising high-quality leads may favor a flat retainer with dedicated strategy time. A Shopify store spending $100,000/month may prefer a percentage model or hybrid that scales with media investment. Use estimated ranges and ask agencies for modeled outcomes in $-not just conversion counts-to evaluate true cost per booked revenue.

Sample pricing scenarios (US-focused)

• Small eCommerce ($5k media/mo): flat fee $1,500-$2,500 with setup $1,000 (estimates).
• Mid-market retailer ($50k media/mo): percentage 12%-15% or retainer $4k-$8k/month.
• B2B lead gen ($20k media/mo): retainer $3k-$6k + performance bonus tied to qualified leads.

Questions to include in a pricing comparison RFP

• How do you measure conversions and attribute revenue? (GA4, server-side, UTMs)
• What reporting cadence and KPIs are included?
• What are setup costs, expected ramp timelines, and team access?
• Can you model expected CAC reduction or LTV uplift in $ for my vertical?

A structured evaluation focuses on predictable revenue impact over raw traffic. As you compare proposals, prefer agencies that document a strategy → build → test → scale → report workflow and that can connect media spend to gross margin or MER.

How Prebo Digital frames pricing discussions

We structure engagements around measurable outcomes: clear attribution via GA4 and server-side tracking, conversion funnel optimisation, and performance media management aimed at profitability metrics. For examples of our approach and long-term retainers, review our company background about page and, if you want a pricing conversation, our contact route contact page.

Bottom line: use this Google Ads agency pricing comparison to convert fee proposals into expected $ outcomes. Ask for modeled scenarios in your RFP and require clarity on tracking and attribution before committing to a pricing model.

Sources

• Google Ads Help - official documentation on account structure and billing
• WordStream - industry breakdown of Google Ads management pricing
• HubSpot - guide to agency fees and cost models for US marketers