Choosing who runs your Shopify marketing comes down to three options. Here's an honest comparison of a marketing agency, a gig freelancer and an independent consultant like me, so you can pick the one that fits your store. See my pricing.
| Agency | Gig freelancer | Independent consultant (me) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Often a junior media buyer, behind an account manager | Whoever took the gig | Me, personally, on every account |
| Experience | Varies by who is assigned | Often limited to one channel | 8 years, 50+ brands, 5 agencies, budgets from $1,000 to $250,000 a month |
| Scope | Broad, split across teams | One task or channel | Ads, tracking, email, CRO and guidance on running the business |
| What success means | Often platform ROAS | Delivering the task | Profitable growth: new customer CAC, blended MER and margin |
| Price | Retainers, often with minimum terms | Cheapest per task | Published: $300 audit, $75/hour, from $689/month |
| Proof | Case studies | Platform reviews | Real case studies with before and after numbers |
When you need many specialists at once, such as video production, PR and paid media together, and have the budget for a team. Ask who will actually run your account day to day.
For a well-defined task: building one email flow, fixing one pixel, designing a set of ads. Less so for owning growth.
When you want senior judgment across the whole funnel, one person accountable for results, and you'd rather not pay agency overhead. That's how I work: I personally manage every account, and about 80% of my clients are US brands, with me based in Canada. The questions to ask anyone you're considering are in Hiring a Shopify Marketing Agency: 12 Questions to Ask.
$300 USD, fixed
Written fix list and a recorded walkthrough within 3 business days of access.
$75 USD / hour
Second opinions, troubleshooting and working sessions. Available within an hour, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Eastern.
$689 USD / month
Both channels managed by me, for stores spending up to $5,000 a month on ads.
$1,500 USD / month
Both channels managed by me, for stores spending up to $15,000 a month on ads.
Custom
Quoted on a free call, based on your accounts and channels.
Prices in USD. Ad spend is paid directly to Meta and Google and is not included. The first call is free. Full pricing and what's included.
Ran acquisition and lifecycle in-house as the brand's performance marketer and Marketing Director, then after its acquisition, returned through Branva to grow monthly revenue 491% across email, Meta and Google.
Took over ads, tracking and lifecycle for a zero-nicotine lifestyle pouch brand that two prior agencies had left fragmented, and grew total store revenue 300% in 30 days.
Ran CRO, local SEO, Meta ads and Google Ads as one coordinated system for a Brooklyn DTF printer, growing gross sales 1,300% and orders 1,900% in a quarter.
For a defined task, a freelancer. For a large multi-specialist program, an agency. For senior, accountable growth across ads, email and conversion without agency overhead, an independent consultant.
Agencies usually charge monthly retainers, often with minimum terms. Freelancers charge per task or hour. My rates are published: a $300 audit, $75 USD an hour, or from $689 USD a month for Meta and Google together.
Ask directly, and ask to meet them. With me, the answer is always me.
A free 30-minute call. Bring your ad account and Shopify numbers if you can. You leave with a short list of priorities, whether or not we work together.