Guide
Agency vs in-house marketing: what does each really cost?
Here's what the usual options cost each month for a small or mid-size business running Google and Meta ads, using typical published ranges for 2026. Ad spend is extra in every case.
In short
- In-house performance marketer: about $8,750/mo in salary (US median), before benefits. The website is extra.
- Marketing agency: $750–$1,200 a month for ad management plus setup, a custom website at $4,500+ up front, and care at $100–$300 a month.
- Nabee Growth: $990/mo for the website, care, Google and Meta ads, landing pages, and tracking. No build fee, no cut of spend.
- Hire in-house when marketing is a daily, multi-channel job. Use an outside team when you need it done well without a full-time salary.
The monthly numbers, side by side
| In-house hire | Agency | Nabee Growth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| People | About $8,750/mo salary, plus benefits | $750–$1,200 a month for ad management | $990/mo, all in |
| Getting started | Weeks or months to hire | Setup fee | No build or setup fee |
| Website | Needs a developer; custom builds run $4,500+ up front | $4,500+ up front, often a separate project | Included |
| Care and hosting | $100–$300 a month | $100–$300 a month | Included |
| Fee on ad spend | None | Sometimes a percentage | None |
Figures are typical published ranges, 2026. Salary is the US median for a performance marketer, before benefits.
What the numbers leave out
- In-house: benefits, payroll taxes, tools, hiring time, and the gap when someone leaves.
- Agency: percentage-of-spend fees, separate vendors for the website, and waiting on handoffs between them.
- Every option: your own time coordinating, approving, and chasing updates.
When in-house is worth it
- Many channels: email, events, PR, partnerships, and content, not just Google and Meta.
- Daily coordination: marketing works hand in hand with sales and product every day.
- A large ad budget: big enough that full-time attention clearly pays for itself.
When an agency is worth it
- Wide scope: PR, broadcast, influencer programs, or big brand campaigns.
- A dedicated account team: specialists for each platform on a large, multi-channel budget.
When one team on a plan is worth it
- Google and Meta are the main channels, and the website needs to keep up with the ads.
- You don't need a full-time hire, but you do need weekly attention and clear numbers.
- You want one number: site, care, ads, landing pages, and tracking on one plan.
A quick way to decide
- List the channels you actually need this year.
- Write down your monthly ad budget, paid to Google and Meta.
- Ask who will change the website when an ad needs a new page.
- Add up every line, including the website and care, not just the marketing fee.
Comparing specific options? See Nabee vs an in-house marketer, Nabee vs a marketing agency, and Nabee vs hiring freelancers.
Two free ways to start
- Free growth check: a 5–10 minute video review of your site and ads within 48 hours. No call, free to keep.
- Free website score: paste your URL for a 100-point score across Google, AI search, tracking, and conversion.
Common questions
How much does an in-house performance marketer cost?
About $8,750/mo in salary at the US median, before benefits and payroll costs (typical published ranges, 2026). A website and developer are extra.
How much does a marketing agency charge?
Typical published ranges in 2026: $750–$1,200 a month for ad management plus a setup fee, a custom website at $4,500+ up front, and website care at $100–$300 a month. Some agencies charge a percentage of ad spend instead.
Is an agency cheaper than hiring in-house?
Usually, for a small or mid-size business, because you pay for part of a team instead of a full salary. In-house wins when marketing is a daily, multi-channel job or your ad budget is large.
What does Nabee Studio cost by comparison?
Growth is $990/mo for the website, care, Google and Meta ads, 2 landing pages, 4 fresh ad sets a month, conversion tracking, and a live dashboard. No build fee, no setup fee, and no cut of ad spend. Site is $299/mo and Scale is $1,990/mo.
Is ad spend included in these numbers?
No. In every option, ad spend is paid on top. At Nabee you pay Google and Meta directly; we suggest at least $500/mo per platform.