Hiring · 8 min read
How to Pick a Marketing Agency in India: 12 Questions to Ask
Most agency pitches sound alike. These twelve questions separate the agencies that deliver from the ones that simply present well.
Why this matters
Marketing agencies in India range from ₹10,000-a-month freelancers to ₹10,00,000-a-month giants. The pitch decks look remarkably similar, and they all promise growth. Choosing well is one of the most important decisions a business owner makes, because the wrong choice costs not only money but months you cannot get back. The only reliable way to tell a real partner from a polished one is to ask sharper questions.
The 12 questions
Ask all twelve. The answers, and the ease with which they are given, tell you most of what you need to know.
- Who exactly will work on my account? If the answer is 'a team', ask for names and seniority.
- How many clients in my industry have you worked with? Look for at least 3.
- What does the first 30 days look like? Vague answers = vague delivery.
- Show me a real client dashboard. If they cannot, they probably do not have one.
- What is your minimum engagement? Less than 3 months means they cannot really change anything.
- How do I know it is working week 4? Specific KPIs matter.
- What is your refund policy if I cancel? Read it before you pay.
- Do I own the work, accounts, and assets if we stop? Should always be yes.
- Will you work with a competitor of mine? Ask explicitly. Most do.
- Show me the work you are most proud of and the work you would do differently. The second answer matters more.
- What is the worst project you have ever shipped and why? Honest agencies have an answer.
- What references will you give me? Talk to two of them.
Red flags to walk away from
Some signs are clear enough that no answer can explain them away. If you see these, keep looking.
- Guarantees of number-one rankings or a specific revenue figure.
- 'We work with Fortune 500' but no India-relevant client they can name.
- A 30-page proposal with no plan for the first 30 days.
- Reluctance to share dashboards or weekly reports.
- A request for twelve months paid upfront.
Compare your options
An agency is not the only path. Weigh it honestly against the alternatives in our comparison pages: agency vs in-house, agency vs freelancer and DIY vs agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick the cheapest option?
Are bigger agencies better?
How long should I commit?
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