How to choose a small business marketing agency

10 questions to ask

1. What would you do first for my business, and why? A good answer is specific to you. A generic package list is not.
2. How will I know it is working? Look for calls, forms, bookings and revenue. Impressions and followers alone do not pay the bills.
3. Do you track phone calls and form submissions? For most local businesses, the phone is where the money is.
4. Who owns my website, Google profile and ad accounts? You should. If you leave, they leave with you.
5. How long is the contract? Month-to-month after setup is a sign the agency expects to earn your business every month.
6. Do I approve what goes out under my name? Posts, emails, ads and review replies should all be approved by you.
7. Who will I talk to? You want a person who knows your account, not a ticket system.
8. Do you know my area? Treasure Coast businesses live by the season. An agency that plans around winter and summer will spend your money better.
9. Can I see work for businesses like mine? Ask for examples in your industry or town.
10. What does it cost, exactly? You should get a written, fixed-price estimate before any work starts.

Red flags

• Guaranteed first place on Google. Nobody can promise that.
• A long contract before any results.
• Vague monthly work with no list of what was done.
• Your accounts set up in the agency's name.
• Reports that never mention calls, leads or customers.

Local agency or national company?

A national company may be cheaper on paper, but you often get a template and a call center. A local agency knows which towns you serve, which months are slow and who your competitors are. On the Treasure Coast, where customers still rely on word of mouth and check Google before they call, that local knowledge matters.

What to expect in the first 90 days

In the first month, the basics get fixed: your Google Business Profile, listings, tracking and any urgent website problems. In months two and three, reviews and follow-up start adding up, and you should see more calls and inquiries in your reports. Ranking gains for competitive searches often take longer, so ask what you will see along the way.

How we answer these questions

Boost Your Small Biz is based in Stuart and works with small businesses across Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. Plans start at $150 per month, run month to month after setup and come with a fixed-price estimate first. You approve everything that goes out, and every call and form is tracked. Start with the free marketing checkup, or see the towns we serve.