Compare common PPC and CRO pricing structures, what each includes, and how to pick a model that aligns with CAC, LTV, and long-term profitability.
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Campaigns average a 300% return on ad spend across R50M+ in managed budget.
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Budget requirements vary by industry, funnel and competitive intensity, but many advertisers need several thousand dollars per month to collect statistically useful conversion data; smaller budgets can still work if campaigns are tightly targeted to high-intent keywords or remarketing audiences. Prebo Digital designs spend strategies to prioritise profitable channels and scale when unit economics support it.
For eCommerce campaigns the focus is typically on Shopping, dynamic remarketing and ROAS-driven bidding tied to LTV, while B2B emphasises lead quality, account-based targeting, longer attribution windows and CPL/CPA optimisation. In both cases measurement, funnel optimisation and cross-channel attribution are prioritised to ensure spend drives revenue, not just clicks.
Prebo Digital implements clean data pipelines using GA4, Google Tag Manager, and server-side tracking, and ties platform data to on-site conversions and offline events where applicable to reduce attribution bias. Multi-touch attribution models and consolidated reporting are used to align spend with revenue and lifetime value rather than platform-reported last-click metrics.
Prebo Digital offers end-to-end Google Ads services including account audits, campaign strategy and setup (Search, Shopping, Display, Video, Remarketing), bid and budget management, conversion tracking implementation, and ongoing performance optimisations focused on revenue outcomes.
Time to profitability depends on product margins, funnel conversion rates, tracking accuracy and budget; an initial data-collection and learning phase commonly takes 4-8 weeks, with structured optimisation and scaling typically assessed over several months. Prebo Digital focuses on iterative testing and measurement to improve profitability rather than short-term traffic metrics.
In This Article
Common pricing models
Align incentives
Negotiation checklist
When evaluating PPC and CRO agency pricing options, founders and marketing leaders should prioritise revenue impact over flat fee totals. Pricing models influence incentives, reporting clarity, and whether an agency optimises for profitable growth or vanity metrics. This guide explains common pricing structures, real-world tradeoffs, and how to match a model to your growth stage and margin profile.
Retainers align with long-term optimisation and experimentation. Percentage models scale with spend but can bias agencies toward higher budgets rather than efficiency. Performance-based fees can align incentives to revenue or CAC goals but require clear, clean attribution - including server-side tracking and consistent GA4 measurement - to avoid disputes. Hybrid contracts often balance stability and outcome orientation.
For examples of how a technical-first approach supports clean attribution, see our overview of core services on the Services page.
| Tier | Typical monthly fee | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Starter retainer | $2,000-$5,000 | Small stores or testing phase with <$20k media/month |
| Mid-market retainer | $5,000-$15,000 | Scaling brands focused on CAC and LTV optimisation |
| Enterprise / custom | $15,000+ | Complex stacks, multi-channel attribution, and full-funnel CRO |
These ranges are illustrative for US companies and depend on deliverables: ad creative, landing page builds, server-side tracking, experimentation cadence, and dedicated data engineering all increase scope. For a quicker orientation on how we structure retainers and technical work, read about Prebo Digital on the homepage.
For a practical explanation of our agency approach and team experience, see the About page.
Select a pricing model that aligns incentives with profitability. If your priority is reducing CAC and improving LTV, prefer a hybrid or retainer structure that funds reliable experimentation and includes CRO deliverables. For raw scaling where budgets and reporting are already mature, a percentage of ad spend model can work - but insist on attribution guarantees and server-side tracking to protect ROI visibility.
A transparent scope and reporting cadence reduce scope creep and align teams. If you want a practical walk-through of a typical engagement and inclusions, our services overview provides a breakdown of core offerings.
A US-based Shopify brand doing $120,000/month revenue with $40,000 media spend might choose a mid-market retainer of $8,000/month plus a 5% performance bonus on incremental revenue above target. Estimated benefits from a combined PPC and CRO engagement could include a 10-25% increase in conversion rate over 6-9 months depending on testing velocity and average order value. These figures are estimates and will vary by product margins and audience quality.
Pricing should reflect the technical depth required to deliver clean attribution and profitable scaling. Ask prospective partners about their approach to server-side tracking, GA4 alignment, and long-term experimentation. For questions about engagement structure and how we price combined PPC and CRO retainers, visit our contact page to request details specific to your business.
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