You're comparing Google Ads agencies. Everyone says "Contact us for pricing." We're showing you the real numbers.
Standard Google Ads Management Fee Models
When hiring a Google Ads management agency, you'll typically encounter one of three pricing structures. Understanding these models is crucial to evaluating the true cost and value of PPC management services.
- Percentage of ad spend (10-20%): The agency charges a percentage of your monthly advertising budget. For example, if you spend $10,000/month and the agency charges 15%, your management fee is $1,500/month.
- Flat monthly retainer ($1,000-$10,000): A fixed monthly fee regardless of your ad spend. This provides predictable costs and aligns the agency's incentive with performance, not spending.
- Performance-based (5-10% + percentage of conversions): A lower base fee combined with bonuses tied to conversions or revenue. This model shares risk and reward between you and the agency.
- Hybrid models: A combination of flat rate and percentage-based pricing, often used for clients with variable monthly budgets.
Stratagem Systems Transparent Pricing
Unlike most agencies that hide pricing behind "contact us" forms, we believe in complete transparency. Here's exactly what you'll pay:
- Starter Package: $1,500/month (for ad budgets up to $10,000/month)
- Growth Package: $2,500/month (for ad budgets up to $30,000/month)
- Enterprise Package: Custom pricing (for ad budgets exceeding $30,000/month)
What You Get for Your Management Fee
Our Google Ads management services include everything you need to maximize your return on ad spend:
- Daily bid optimization: We monitor and adjust bids multiple times per day to capture high-intent traffic at the best prices.
- A/B split testing (minimum 20 tests/month): Continuous testing of ad copy, landing pages, and targeting to improve performance.
- Conversion rate optimization: Landing page analysis and recommendations to turn more clicks into customers.
- Weekly performance reports: Transparent reporting on all key metrics: clicks, conversions, CPA, ROAS, and more.
- Dedicated account strategist: A certified Google Ads specialist assigned to your account, not a rotating team.
PPC Management Fees Comparison: Agency vs. Freelancer vs. In-House
Let's compare the total cost of ownership for each option based on a $20,000/month ad spend:
| Option | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agency (15% model) | $3,000 | $36,000 | Full team, proven processes | Incentivized to increase spend |
| Agency (flat rate) | $2,500 | $30,000 | Predictable costs, efficiency-focused | Higher upfront for small budgets |
| Freelancer | $1,500-$2,000 | $18,000-$24,000 | Lower cost, personal attention | Limited capacity, single point of failure |
| In-House | $5,000-$8,000 | $60,000-$96,000 | Full control, dedicated resource | Highest cost, requires management |
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Many agencies advertise low management fees but add hidden costs that significantly increase your total investment:
- Setup fees ($500-$5,000): One-time charges for account creation and campaign setup.
- Cancellation fees: Penalties for ending service before a minimum contract period (often 3-12 months).
- Minimum contracts: Long-term commitments that lock you in even if performance is poor.
- Landing page creation ($1,000-$5,000 per page): Charges for designing conversion-optimized landing pages.
- Creative production ($500-$2,000): Fees for ad copywriting, image creation, or video production.
At Stratagem Systems, we include setup, landing page optimization recommendations, and creative production in our management fee with no hidden costs.
How to Calculate Your True ROI
Understanding your return on investment is essential for evaluating whether your Google Ads management fee is justified. Use this formula:
ROI = (Revenue from Ads - Ad Spend - Management Fee) / (Ad Spend + Management Fee) × 100
Example calculation with $20,000/month ad spend:
- Ad Spend: $20,000
- Management Fee: $2,500 (Stratagem flat rate)
- Revenue from Ads: $90,000 (4.5x ROAS)
ROI = ($90,000 - $20,000 - $2,500) / ($20,000 + $2,500) × 100 = 300% ROI
For every dollar you invest in ad spend and management, you earn $3 in profit.
Why Stratagem Systems Charges What We Do
Our pricing reflects the value we deliver and the expertise behind our results:
- Google Premier Partner status: We're in the top 3% of all agencies in our region, with proven client growth and retention.
- Average 4.2x ROAS across all clients: Our clients consistently see returns that exceed industry averages of 2-3x.
- No long-term contracts: Month-to-month service means we earn your business every single month.
- Full pricing transparency: No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no asterisks.
"We switched to Stratagem after our previous agency kept pushing us to increase ad spend without improving results. With flat-rate pricing, they're incentivized to make our ads more efficient, not more expensive. Our CPA dropped 42% in the first 90 days."
Sarah Mitchell
Marketing Director, TechFlow Solutions
Get a Custom Pricing Proposal
Ready to see what Google Ads management with Stratagem Systems would cost for your specific business? We'll provide a custom pricing proposal with a free ROI analysis showing projected results based on your industry and current performance.
Contact us today or visit our Google Ads Management service page to learn more.