15 Questions to Ask When Hiring a PPC Agency

Shopping for the right PPC management agency can be just as tough as managing PPC campaigns themselves. In an industry that is becoming increasingly flooded by PPC “agencies,” how do you find the right one for you? I’m the SEM manager at Bruce Clay, Inc., and over the years, I’ve worked with dozens of companies, many with horror stories of prior experiences with sub-par PPC agencies.

Clients who have worked with other PPC agencies have shared tales of wasted spend due to poor quality keywords, poor campaign setup, failure to track to conversions, and more — choosing an unqualified PPC agency is a costly mistake. The awesome thing is you can save a lot of time, headache, and money by thoroughly vetting PPC agencies. Read on to discover the questions you should be asking in order to find the right PPC agency.

• Track record
• Client roster
• Project resources
• Client retention rate
• Proof
• FAQ: What should I ask when hiring a PPC agency?

The Track Record

Research the PPC agency. Ask questions and do your own research to determine the PPC agency’s strengths and weaknesses. Find out how long they’ve been around and what reputation they’ve earned. Get answers to the following questions:

• When was the PPC agency established?
• Are they recognized as a thought leader?
• Do they attend conferences? Speak at conferences?
• What books or articles have they written?
• Who are their key players, and are they quoted and referenced in outside publications?

The Client Roster

In order to be an industry leader in PPC management, you must have a wide array of experience, across industries and business functions. It’s a good sign if an agency has work examples of various types of PPC programs.

• Does the PPC agency’s experience align with your business type?
• Do they have a solid track record of working with e-commerce and lead generation clients? B2B, B2C?
• What types of budgets do they manage? Small, local clients with monthly ad budgets in the low thousands? Fortune 100’s with millions of dollars of ad spend? Most importantly, have they managed budgets similar to yours?

The Project Resources

Understanding how the PPC management agency is able to adequately support your account is vital to understanding whether or not they can deliver what you need. From personnel to tools, you need to determine if their resources cater to your needs.

• Does their internal team structure make sense to you?
• Do they use any industry-leading, or proprietary tools?
• Do they have one person, or multiple people trained and working on your account?
• What types of resources are available to you?

At BCI, each PPC client receives a project manager and a dedicated team of at least two analysts that are cross-trained on accounts. We find this allows for optimal client communication and account management, which leads to results.

The Client Retention Rate

It’s one thing to be able to acquire new business, but does the prospective agency retain their clients? A high client retention rate is indicative of an agency that is able to continuously meet their clients’ PPC goals. Hint: The higher the CRR, the better! The best PPC management agencies usually have at least a 90% CRR.

• What is their CRR?
• What’s the average client length of engagement?
• What percentage of their client base have been with the agency for 2+ years?

The Proof

Last but not least, don’t just take a PPC agency at their word. Case studies can be extremely helpful in providing insight into how prospective agencies are able to move the needle. Not all agencies have these materials readily available, but they should at least be able to provide examples of successful PPC projects.

Are you interested in learning more about the PPC services offered at Bruce Clay, Inc.? Contact us — we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions (including the ones listed above!).

FAQ: What Should I Ask When Hiring a PPC Agency?

As part of your digital advertising plan, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising can drive traffic and leads directly to a website. Making an educated choice when selecting your PPC agency (Pay-Per-Click) agency can have an enormously positive effect on business success; to select the most suitable agency, there are some key questions you must ask to partner with an ideal PPC firm; in this article, we explore these concerns further and offer expert insight to assist with making this critical choice.

1. What Is Your Experience in My Industry?

Start by asking the agency about their experience in your specific industry. Understanding the nuances of your business is crucial for effective PPC campaigns. An agency with prior experience in your field will likely create targeted and successful campaigns.

2. Can You Share Some Case Studies?

A reputable PPC agency should be able to provide case studies showcasing their past successes. These studies can give you a sense of the results they’ve achieved for other clients and the strategies they’ve employed.

3. How Do You Research Keywords?

Keyword research is the foundation of any PPC campaign. Ask the agency about their keyword research process. Look for an agency that conducts thorough research to identify the most relevant and cost-effective keywords for your business.

4. What Is Your Approach to Ad Copywriting?

Effective ad copy is essential for attracting potential customers. Inquire about the agency’s approach to ad copywriting. A well-thought-out strategy for crafting compelling ad copy can significantly impact your click-through rates.

5. How Do You Optimize Landing Pages?

A well-optimized landing page can greatly improve your conversion rates. Ask the agency about their landing page optimization strategies, which is a crucial aspect of a successful PPC campaign.

6. How Do You Track and Measure Campaign Performance?

Monitoring and measuring campaign performance is vital for ongoing success. Ensure the agency uses tools like Google Analytics and other tracking methods to provide you with detailed reports on your campaign’s performance.

7. What Is Your Budget Management Strategy?

Discuss how the agency manages your PPC budget. An experienced agency should have a clear plan for allocating your budget effectively to maximize ROI.

8. How Do You Handle Ad Extensions?

Ad extensions can enhance your ad’s visibility and provide additional information to users. Ask the agency about their strategy for utilizing ad extensions effectively.

9. What Is Your Approach to A/B Testing?

A/B testing is crucial for refining your PPC campaigns over time. Inquire about the agency’s approach to A/B testing and how they continuously optimize your ads.

10. How Do You Stay Updated with Industry Trends?

The digital marketing landscape is continually evolving. Ask the agency how they stay updated with the latest trends and Google algorithm changes to ensure your campaigns remain effective.

11. What Is Your Communication Process?

Effective communication with your PPC agency is key. Understand their communication process, including regular reporting, meetings, and how they handle client inquiries and concerns.

12. Can You Explain Your Reporting Metrics?

Ensure you clearly understand the metrics the agency uses for reporting. Metrics should align with your business goals, whether it’s increasing website traffic, conversions, or sales.

Selecting the right PPC agency is a critical decision for the success of your online marketing efforts.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Hiring a PPC Agency

1. Research the agency’s industry-specific experience.
2. Request and review case studies of past campaigns.
3. Inquire about the agency’s keyword research process.
4. Assess their ad copywriting strategies.
5. Learn about their approach to landing page optimization.
6. Ensure they use comprehensive tracking and measurement tools.
7. Discuss budget management and allocation.
8. Ask about their utilization of ad extensions.
9. Understand their approach to A/B testing and campaign optimization.
10. Explore how they stay updated with industry trends.
11. Clarify their communication process and responsiveness.
12. Gain a clear understanding of their reporting metrics.

Following these steps, you can confidently select a PPC agency that aligns with your business needs and goals.

This article was updated on November 14, 2023.

Michael Shore was Bruce Clay Inc.'s SEM Manager. He has managed PPC programs for dozens of clients ranging from small business to national retailers. He specializes in Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, Google Analytics, Kenshoo, Acquisio, comparison shopping engine management and Google shopping. When he's not geeking out on everything SEM, he's usually hiking, at the beach or playing guitar.

See Michael's author page for links to connect on social media.