What Are Common Pricing Models for Outsourced Marketing Services in the UK?

When you outsource your marketing, business owners first question always is “how much does outsourced marketing cost in the UK?”. The reality is there isn’t one. Various outsourced marketing services employ various pricing models, and the best one will be based on your objectives, finances, and the degree of support you need.

Here, we take a look at the most frequent pricing models for outsourced marketing in the UK so you can make a well-informed choice for your company.

Hourly Outsourced Marketing Service Fees

Others market consultants and agencies bill by the hour. This is usually the easiest option and is optimal for small or one-time projects. Hourly fees for outsourced UK marketing consultants are typically between £50 and £150 per hour, depending on level of experience and expertise.

Hourly fees are usually utilised for:

• Website updates
• SEO scans
• Copywriting or content editing
• Tweaking small campaigns

While flexible, this system can easily add up if you don’t watch out for the time being spent.

Daily Rates for Outsourced Marketing Services

Most UK agencies prefer to operate on a daily rate basis, particularly where workshops, audit, or strategy sessions are concerned. Daily outsourced marketing support rates can run between £394 and £725 per day based on experience.

This type of engagement provides higher certainty compared to an hourly rate basis and suits when you need focused effort but without obliging you to a longer contract.

Monthly Retainers for Outsourced Marketing Services

The UK’s most prevalent model is the monthly retainer. This gives companies consistency, clear-cut deliverables, and recurring access to expertise.

Generally, most outsourced marketing agencies will charge anything from £1,000 to £5,000 based on the scale of the account and the level of services involved. For most SMEs, the ideal starting point is a low retainer of £1,000 to £2,000 a month. As your company develops, you can add the services to include:

• Social media management
• Content development and blogging
• SEO management and optimisation
• Website updates and online marketing campaigns

A retainer model is effective since you can establish a relationship with your marketing partner and scale your support on a proportional basis.

Project-Based Outsourced Marketing Services

Project pricing is another favourite model, where you pay a single upfront fee for a particular item of work. This could be:

• A website relaunch
• A product launch campaign
• A rebrand or creative refresh

The price will vary depending on project complexity. Project-based models give you certainty on scope and deliverables but demand careful planning to prevent surprise add-ons.

Percentage of ad spend or Performance-Based Marketing

For paid advertising campaigns like Google Ads or social advertising, most agencies bill a percentage of your ad spend, usually 10% to 20%. Others bill performance-based fees on sales or leads.

This works in alignment with incentives for the agency with your results but only if you are honest so that you get actual value from your spend.

Which Outsourced Marketing services Pricing Model is Best?

All models are good and bad. The best choice depends on your circumstances:

• Hourly rates are optimal for small projects or quick fixes.
• Daily rates are suitable for workshops or single strategy sessions.
• Monthly retainers are best for companies that need ongoing support and a combination of services.
• Project-based pricing is best for specified, single-shot needs.
• Performance models are appropriate for ad campaigns with tracking and trust.

For most small and medium-size businesses, a monthly retainer is best as a compromise between value, consistency, and flexibility. It allows your outsourced marketing partner to become an extension of your business and provide results on an ongoing basis.

Why Miles Marketing for Outsourced Marketing Services?

We believe in openness and flexibility. We provide outsourced marketing services within the UK that will meet your needs, from a basic social media package to a full content plan or an outsourced marketing team.

 Our clients enjoy:

• Transparent marketing services price list with clear costs
• Effective marketing strategies for you and your budget
• Scalability of services as your company expands
• Demonstrated expertise in SEO, social media, content production and digital advertising

   

How Miles Marketing Can Help?

At Miles Marketing, we specialise in crafting tailored marketing strategies that encompass all these aspects. From setting up CRM systems and automating processes to leveraging AI tools and creating impactful content, we provide end-to-end marketing solutions. Our expertise ensures that your business can navigate the complex marketing landscape effectively, maximising your return on investment.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you develop and implement a solid marketing strategy that delivers results. Check out what our clients say about us here and learn more about a solid marketing strategy HERE.

External sources for reference 

1. The Drum – “How much should you spend on marketing in 2024?”

   https://www.thedrum.com

   This article discusses marketing budgets, spend allocation, and how businesses approach outsourced marketing in the UK.

2. Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) – “Understanding agency pricing models”

   https://www.cim.co.uk

   CIM offers professional insight into agency pricing, retainers, and the benefits of flexible outsourced marketing arrangements.