Is Hiring a Marketing Agency Worth It for Your Small Business? The Pros and Cons
By ERIN LARISON
COO, Larison Media
Running a small business means you’re already juggling everything — selling, serving clients, answering phones, balancing the books, and occasionally trying to sneak in a weekend.
And then someone adds, “Oh, you should also learn SEO, run Google Ads, and post on social media every day.”
Of course. Because that’s realistic.
So the question comes up: Is it worth hiring a marketing agency?
Here are the pros and cons.
Pro: You Get Expertise Without the Learning Curve
Agencies live and breathe marketing. They know how to make your business visible online, how to target the right customers, and how to turn a website into a lead generator, not just a digital business card.
Instead of you trying to figure it out between invoices, you get experts who already know the playbook.
Con: It’s an Investment
Hiring a marketing agency isn’t free. For some small businesses, the cost feels steep.
But it helps to think of it as an investment, not an expense. Done well, marketing brings in more business than it costs. It’s like upgrading your tools. The upfront spend is worth it when the payoff shows up in new customers.
Pro: You Get Your Time Back
Your time is valuable. Every hour you spend tinkering with a website or agonizing over Facebook ads is an hour you’re not running your business.
An agency takes that weight off your plate so you can focus on what you actually do best.
Con: You Hand Over Some Control
If you like to have your hands on every detail, giving up some control can feel tough. But the right agency will work with you, not around you. They’ll help shape your brand voice while still keeping it authentic to you.
Pro: You Position Yourself to Grow
Marketing isn’t just about looking professional. It’s about building a steady stream of customers. A good agency helps you create systems that attract the right audience and generate leads, so you can grow intentionally instead of crossing your fingers and hoping.
So, Is It Worth It?
If you’re still brand new, you might get by with referrals and a simple website for now. But if you’re ready to grow — if you’re tired of patchwork marketing and want a real plan, then yes, hiring a marketing agency can be worth every penny.
