Tired of 6-month minimum contracts? Here's why the best agencies don't need them.
The Problem with PPC Management Contracts
The digital marketing industry has normalized long-term contracts, often requiring commitments of 3 to 12 months. While this may seem standard, these contracts create several problems for businesses:
- 3-6 month minimums are industry standard: Most agencies require you to commit before you can evaluate their true performance.
- Early termination fees (often $1,000+): Want to leave because performance is poor? You'll pay a penalty for exercising your right to find better service.
- Locks you in even with poor performance: No matter how bad the results, you're financially committed to staying.
- Benefits the agency, not you: Contracts guarantee revenue for the agency while removing their incentive to continuously earn your business.
Industry Fact: According to recent surveys, 78% of PPC agencies require minimum contracts of 3 months or longer. This practice protects agency revenue but exposes clients to risk.
Stratagem's Month-to-Month Model
At Stratagem Systems, we take a different approach. Our month-to-month PPC management model is built on a simple principle: if we're delivering results, you'll want to stay. If we're not, you should be free to leave.
- Cancel anytime with 30 days' notice: We only ask for advance notice so we can properly transition your account.
- No setup fees: Account creation, campaign setup, and initial optimization are included in your first month's management fee.
- No termination penalties: If you decide to leave, there are zero financial penalties or hidden exit fees.
- Performance speaks for itself: We earn your business every single month through measurable results.
Why Most Agencies Require Contracts (And Why We Don't)
Understanding why agencies use contracts reveals a fundamental difference in business philosophy:
| Factor | Agency Contracts | Stratagem Month-to-Month |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Model | Lock in revenue upfront | Earn revenue through performance |
| Accountability | Limited—you're committed regardless | Complete—we must earn your trust monthly |
| Client Retention | Contractual obligation | Proven value and results |
| Risk | You bear all the risk | We share the risk |
| Performance Pressure | Lower—revenue is guaranteed | Higher—must deliver or lose client |
Contracts benefit agencies by guaranteeing cash flow even if they underperform. Month-to-month models benefit you by ensuring the agency must consistently deliver value.
What Happens If You Cancel?
Transparency extends to our cancellation process. Here's exactly what happens if you decide to leave:
- 30-day notice period: You provide 30 days' notice, which gives us time to properly transition your account and document all campaigns.
- Full account export: We export all campaign data, ad copy, keyword lists, and settings so you retain everything we've built.
- All creative assets transferred: Ad images, copy documents, landing page designs—everything is yours to keep.
- Knowledge transfer session: A 60-minute call with your account manager to walk through the account structure and answer questions.
- No hard feelings: We genuinely wish you success. If we weren't the right fit, we want you to find an agency that is.
This transparent exit process is only possible because we're confident in our results. We don't need to trap clients—our performance retains them.
Real Client Results (No Contract Required)
Our month-to-month model doesn't just sound good in theory—it delivers exceptional results that keep clients choosing to stay:
Client A: B2B SaaS Company
- ROAS: 340%
- Average CPA: $127 (down from $289)
- Stayed: 18 months and counting
- Why they stay: "We could leave anytime, but why would we? Our lead volume has tripled."
Client B: E-Commerce Retailer
- ROAS: 280%
- Monthly Revenue: Increased from $45K to $127K
- Stayed: 14 months
- Why they stay: "The month-to-month model forced them to prove value immediately. They did."
Client C: Professional Services Firm
- ROAS: 410%
- Lead Quality Score: 8.7/10 (up from 6.2/10)
- Stayed: 24 months (currently active)
- Why they stay: "No contract means no pressure. Just results that make it an easy decision every month."
Average client retention: 16.5 months. Our clients stay because they choose to, not because they have to.
How to Evaluate a No-Contract PPC Agency
Not all agencies offering month-to-month service are created equal. Here are five critical questions to ask before signing up:
- Check Google Partner status: Are they a regular Partner or a Premier Partner (top 3%)? Premier Partners have proven track records.
- Request case studies: Ask for 3-5 case studies in your industry with specific metrics: ROAS, CPA, conversion rates.
- Review transparent pricing: Are fees clearly listed, or do they make you "contact for pricing"? Transparency starts with pricing.
- Test with a small campaign first: Can you start with a smaller ad budget to test their capabilities before scaling?
- Verify reporting frequency: How often will you receive performance reports? Weekly is ideal; monthly is minimum.
"I was hesitant about the no-contract model at first—figured it was too good to be true. But after two months of seeing 4x ROAS and daily communication from my account manager, I understood: they don't need contracts because their work speaks for itself."
Michael Torres
Founder, DataSync Technologies
Start Risk-Free PPC Management Today
If you're ready to experience Google Ads management that earns your trust every month instead of locking you into a contract, Stratagem Systems is here to help. We offer:
- Month-to-month service (cancel with 30 days' notice)
- Google Premier Partner expertise
- Average 4.2x ROAS across all clients
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- First-month performance guarantee
Contact us today to get started, or visit our Google Ads Management page to learn more about our services.