“How much does digital marketing cost?” is the question every founder asks and few agencies answer straight. Here are real 2026 ranges, what drives them, and how to budget — from an agency that prices flat, not on percentage of spend.
Typical monthly ranges (2026)
| Service | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | $500–$2,500 | $1,500–$10,000+ |
| PPC management | $300–$1,500 (+ad spend) | $1,500–$8,000 (+ad spend) |
| Social media | $500–$2,000 | $1,200–$6,000 |
| Full-funnel | — | $3,000–$20,000+ |
What drives the price
- Scope: one channel vs full-funnel
- Competitiveness: harder markets need more work
- Seniority: junior account managers vs senior operators
- Pricing model: flat retainer vs percentage of ad spend
Pricing models to understand
Percentage-of-spend incentivizes agencies to grow your budget, not your profit. Flat retainers align incentives with efficiency — it’s why we price flat and will tell you to cut spend when it’s the right call.
How to budget
Start from target revenue and acceptable CAC, not a fixed marketing number. A free audit should tell you what to fix first and what it costs before you commit — that’s exactly what ours does.
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