Hiring an Amazon agency can be the best thing you ever do - or the costliest mistake.
We’ve seen it all: accounts destroyed, money wasted, and sellers stuck cleaning up the mess from "experts" who didn’t deliver.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to spot red flags, ask the right questions, and find a partner who actually helps your brand grow (not bleed).
First: Do You Even Need an Amazon Agency?
Let’s be honest—not every seller is ready for an agency.
You’re a good fit if:
- You’ve validated product-market fit
- You’re already generating revenue and want to scale
You need help with PPC, listing optimization, creative, or overall management
You’re not ready if:
- Your product has poor reviews or weak demand
- You want someone to “fix everything” without input
- You’re looking for miracles, not systems
💡 Agencies amplify what’s already working. They don’t create miracles from broken products.
1. Ask: Why Did You Start This Agency?
You want to hear about:
- Proven brand-building experience
- Agency founders with e-commerce backgrounds
- A real mission - not just ex-freelancers chasing service retainers
🚩 Red flag: “I sold one product in 2020 and now I’m an Amazon coach.” Nope.
2. Have You Worked with Brands Like Mine?
Every niche is different.
Selling supplements is nothing like fashion, electronics, or home decor. Ask for:
- Case studies
- Revenue numbers
- Specific strategies they used
✅ Bonus: Ask who they failed with - and why. Great agencies learn from missteps. Bad ones just blame the client.
3. How Do You Define Success?
If they say, “We’ll get you more traffic” or “Double your revenue,” ask deeper.
Success should sound like:
- “We’ll improve TACoS while increasing total sales”
- “Our goal is profitable growth, not just volume”
- “We track contribution margin and LTV, not just ACoS”
🧠 A good agency aligns with your business goals, not just ad metrics.
4. When Will I See Results?
Let’s set real expectations.
Here’s a healthy timeline:
- 📅 First 30 days: Account audit, PPC cleanup, testing
- 📊 60 days: Early signs of CTR, ACoS, and ROAS improvements
- 📈 90 days: Clear performance trendlines and strategy alignment
🚨 Avoid anyone promising 2-week turnarounds or vague “give it a year” answers.
5. How Will We Communicate?
Transparency is everything.
Ask:
- How often do we talk? (Slack, email, Zoom?)
- Who will I speak with - my account manager or a support assistant?
- Will I get performance dashboards or reports?
✅ Great agencies do:
- Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins
- Real-time Slack updates for campaigns
- Strategic monthly reviews
6. Can I Meet the Actual Account Team?
This one’s big.
Don’t fall for the pitchman, only to be handed off to a junior with 3 months of experience.
Ask to meet:
- Your account manager
- The PPC strategist (if applicable)
- The creative/SEO person (if relevant)
💬 Ask direct questions like:
“How would you handle launching a low-review ASIN with 30% margin?”
“How do you manage seasonal dips in conversion?”
If they fumble - walk away.
7. What’s Your Pricing Model?
Here’s how agencies typically charge:
- ❌ % of Ad Spend
Bad model. Incentivizes spending more, not earning more. - ⚠️ % of Sales
Better—but only if they care about profit, not just revenue. - ✅ Flat Fee + Performance Bonus
Best model. You know your costs, and they win when you win.
Always ask for a custom model based on your brand size and goals.
8. Do You Offer Education or Just Execution?
Great agencies explain what they’re doing. They don’t gatekeep strategy.
They’ll tell you:
- Why certain keywords are prioritized
- What metrics matter (and why)
- How they’re adjusting based on data
🚩 If they say “Don’t worry about it,” or “That’s our secret sauce,” you’re not in the loop—and that’s a problem.
Where to Find the Right Agency?
- 🧠 Ask brands slightly ahead of you—those doing $2M–$5M
- 🗣️ Attend events like Prosper Show or ASGTG
- 🔍 Check platforms like Clutch.co or Trustpilot
Skip the big, bloated agencies unless you're doing $10M+. Look for smart teams who grow brands like yours.
Final Thought: The Right Partner Can 10x Your Brand
A great Amazon agency brings clarity, growth, and peace of mind.
But a bad one? They’ll drain your budget, damage your brand, and leave you stuck fixing their mess.
Article was originally published on 11 June, 2025
