Before You Hire Anyone
10 Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Ask Before Hiring a Marketing Company
The wrong marketing company can waste thousands of dollars and months of your time. Ask these questions first — and see how AKR answers every one.
Protect Your Business. Ask the Right Questions.
Every year, thousands of small business owners get burned by marketing agencies that overpromise and underdeliver. Before you sign anything, ask these 10 questions — and demand clear answers.
Question 1
Who owns my website, content, and marketing accounts?
This is the single most important question. Some agencies build your website on their accounts and hold your content hostage if you leave. At AKR, you own everything — your domain, your content, your analytics, your ad accounts. No lock-in. If we part ways, you walk away with all of it.
AKR's Answer: You own 100% of everything we build for you. Period.
Question 2
How do you measure success — and will I actually see results?
Too many agencies report on vanity metrics like impressions or followers. What matters is leads, calls, and revenue. Before we start, we define what success looks like for your specific business — then we track it and report on it in plain language you can understand.
AKR's Answer: We track real leads and calls, not vanity metrics. You'll see exactly what's working.
Question 3
What are your contract terms? Can I cancel anytime?
Long-term contracts protect the agency, not you. Many companies lock you into 12-36 month agreements with steep exit fees. That's a red flag. A good agency earns your business every month.
AKR's Answer: Website plans begin with a six-month initial commitment, then continue month to month with 30 days’ written notice.
Question 4
Do you have experience with businesses like mine?
A marketing company that works with Fortune 500 brands doesn't understand your world. You need someone who knows what a plumber, welder, or auto shop owner deals with daily — tight budgets, local competition, and customers who need to call today, not next month.
AKR's Answer: We specialize in local service businesses — trades, medical, construction, and more.
Question 5
What's actually included in your pricing? Are there hidden fees?
Many agencies quote a low price, then tack on setup fees, revision charges, hosting premiums, or 'platform fees' that double the real cost. Ask for a complete breakdown before signing anything.
AKR's Answer: $997 setup plus $349/month Foundation, $699/month Growth, or $1,295/month Authority. No surprise invoices.
Question 6
What happens if I'm not happy with the work?
This is the question most people are afraid to ask — but it's the most important one. If an agency gets defensive or vague when you ask about dissatisfaction, run. A confident agency has a clear process for handling concerns.
AKR's Answer: Our 60/90/100-Day Guarantee means you can walk away with no penalties if we don't deliver.
Question 7
How long does it take to build a website and start getting leads?
Some agencies take 3-6 months to launch a basic website. That's unacceptable for a small business that needs leads now. Ask for a realistic timeline and hold them to it.
AKR's Answer: Standard delivery is 7-21 business days. If you have an upcoming deadline or event, contact us and we'll do our best to accommodate your timeline.
Question 8
Who will actually be doing the work on my project?
At larger agencies, the sales team disappears after signing and you're handed off to a junior employee or overseas contractor. You deserve to know who's touching your brand and business.
AKR's Answer: Small team, direct communication. You'll know exactly who's working on your project.
Question 9
How will we communicate, and how often will I hear from you?
Nothing is more frustrating than paying a marketing company and never hearing from them. Clear communication cadence — weekly updates, monthly reports, or however it's structured — should be defined upfront.
AKR's Answer: Regular check-ins, clear updates, and we actually answer the phone when you call.
Question 10
Can you grow with me as my business grows?
Your needs today won't be the same in a year. Make sure your marketing partner can scale from a basic website to full lead generation, paid ads, CRM setup, and content strategy as your business expands.
AKR's Answer: From a starter website to a full marketing system — we scale with you.
Bonus FAQ
More Questions Small Business Owners Ask
Real questions from real business owners — answered the way you'd want to hear it.
Getting Started
Trust & Credentials
Process & Timeline
Results & ROI
Ready to Work With a Company That Answers Every Question?
Start with a free, no-pressure website review. We'll look at your current site and give you straightforward feedback — whether you hire us or not.