Find The Best Marketing Agency Near You
Find the Best Marketing Agency Near Me
A Complete Guide
How do you find a marketing agency that actually generates revenue — not just invoices?
Finding the best marketing agency near you can transform your business — or drain your budget for eighteen months while someone shows you a dashboard full of metrics that don't deposit into your bank account. This guide is built to help you tell the difference. Written by an agency owner who's seen both sides.
This guide covers how to find, evaluate, and hire the right marketing agency for your business. It explains what agencies actually do, the real benefits of hiring local, how to identify your specific marketing needs before searching, what to research, the five questions you must ask every agency, how to evaluate portfolios and case studies for revenue data (not vanity metrics), how pricing models work, what client testimonials actually reveal, and the red flags that should end a conversation immediately. Written by GRAVITY Growth founder Steve Schmidt — who has competed against, inherited clients from, and cleaned up after agencies across the Sioux Falls market and nationally.
What a Marketing Agency
Actually Does for Your Business
A marketing agency serves as an extension of your business — providing the strategic and creative firepower needed to reach your target audience and convert them into customers. They employ specialists in content creation, social media management, search engine optimization, data analytics, video production, web design, and advertising who work together to plan, execute, and measure marketing campaigns.
But here's where most business owners get it wrong: they think hiring an agency means buying a set of deliverables. A website. Some social posts. A few Google Ads. And then they wonder why revenue didn't change.
The best marketing agencies don't sell deliverables. They build systems. Systems where every piece of content, every ad, every email, and every web page is connected to a CRM-tracked pipeline that traces activity to revenue. An agency that can't show you which marketing dollar generated which deal isn't a marketing agency — it's a creative services vendor with better branding.
A great agency also provides something most internal teams can't: an objective perspective. They see your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and competitive threats from the outside — without the organizational blind spots that develop when you've been staring at the same business for ten years. That external viewpoint, backed by market analysis and competitor assessment, is often worth more than the campaigns themselves.
A marketing agency plans, creates, and executes strategies to promote your products, services, or brand. Core services typically include digital marketing (SEO, PPC, social media), content creation (video, blogs, podcasts), web design, branding, email marketing, and advertising. The critical differentiator is whether the agency can trace its work to actual revenue. Most agencies report on vanity metrics like clicks and impressions. Revenue-focused agencies track every marketing dollar from first touch to closed deal using CRM attribution.
A marketing consultant typically provides strategic advice and planning but relies on your internal team or other vendors for execution. A marketing agency handles both strategy and execution — creating content, running campaigns, building websites, managing ads, and tracking results. For B2B companies between $1M–$10M that don't have a full internal marketing team, an agency that provides integrated strategy and execution with revenue attribution is usually the better investment.
Benefits of Hiring
a Local Marketing Agency
Hiring a local marketing agency offers advantages that most people undervalue until they've experienced the alternative.
They Know Your Market
A local agency understands regional consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. They know which networking events matter, which publications actually get read, which community connections drive referrals, and what resonates with local buyers. This market intelligence is hard to replicate from a national agency that's never set foot in your city. In Sioux Falls, for example, understanding the local business ecosystem — the relationships between business owners, the events that matter, the media landscape — is the difference between campaigns that connect and campaigns that feel generic.
Face-to-Face Collaboration
Working with a local agency means real meetings, not just Zoom calls. Face-to-face builds trust faster, catches misalignment earlier, and makes project management dramatically more efficient. When your agency is down the street, you can walk through campaign results together, review video footage in person, and make decisions in real time instead of waiting for async feedback loops. For services like video production — where an agency films on-site at your location — local presence isn't just convenient, it's essential.
Invested in the Community
A local agency's reputation is directly tied to their performance in your market. They can't hide behind a national portfolio and hope you don't talk to their other clients. In a market like Sioux Falls, word travels fast. A local agency that delivers gets referrals. One that doesn't gets a reputation. That accountability drives better work.
Local agencies offer face-to-face collaboration, understanding of regional markets, on-site video production capabilities, and investment in the local business community. National agencies may offer broader industry experience and larger teams. The best fit depends on your needs — if you need on-site video production and local market expertise, a local agency is essential. Many businesses benefit from agencies that combine local presence with national reach.
It depends on your problem. If you need one specific service done exceptionally well — like a rebrand or enterprise website — a specialist may be the right choice. But if you're running multiple disconnected marketing activities with no unified attribution, a full-service integrated agency eliminates the fragmentation tax — the 20–40% of budget wasted when vendors don't communicate.
Key Services Offered
by Marketing Agencies
Not every agency offers every service — and the ones that claim to often outsource half of them to subcontractors who've never talked to your sales team. Here's what matters and what to look for in each.
SEO, PPC, Social, Email
The core of online visibility. The question isn't whether an agency offers these — it's whether they integrate them into one system with attribution. Disconnected digital services are the single biggest source of wasted spend.
Video, Blogs, Podcasts
Content builds authority and feeds every other channel. The best agencies treat content as a supply chain — one recording session produces video, social clips, blog posts, email assets, and AI-searchable structured data. Not isolated deliverables.
Conversion-Optimized Sites
A website should be a revenue engine, not a digital brochure. Look for agencies that build sites with CRM integration, tracked CTAs, and pages mapped to the buyer journey — not just beautiful layouts that don't convert.
Identity & Campaigns
Visual identity, messaging, and creative campaigns. If you need a world-class rebrand, this is often a specialized skill. If you already have a brand and need a system to turn it into revenue, that's a different agency.
AEO — The New Frontier
73% of Gen Z discovers vendors through AI tools before ever opening a browser. If your agency doesn't have an AI search strategy for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini — they're already behind the biggest shift in marketing since Google.
First Touch to Closed Deal
The service that separates agencies from revenue partners. Full CRM attribution traces every marketing touchpoint to closed revenue. If your agency can't do this, every other service is a guess.
How to Identify
Your Marketing Needs
Before you search "marketing agency near me" and start filling out contact forms, stop and answer these questions. An agency can't solve a problem you haven't defined.
Audit What's Already Running
What marketing are you doing right now? What's working and what's wasting money? Most businesses discover they're paying for tactics nobody is measuring. Document every vendor, every tool, every channel — and note which ones you can trace to revenue. If the answer is "none," that's your first problem to solve.
Define the Business Goal — Not the Marketing Tactic
Don't say "I need SEO." Say "I need to generate $500K in new pipeline this year from companies in the $3M–$10M range." The goal determines the strategy. The strategy determines the tactics. Too many businesses skip straight to tactics and wonder why nothing connects.
Know Your Target Audience
Demographics, behaviors, preferences, pain points — the more specific, the better an agency can serve you. An agency with experience reaching your specific buyer type will be dramatically more effective than one learning your market on your dime.
Set a Realistic Budget
Determine what you're willing to invest and what return you expect. For B2B companies, a healthy marketing ROI is 3x–5x. Top-performing integrated systems average 12.9x. If an agency can't discuss expected returns — only costs — that's a red flag.
Researching Marketing Agencies
in Your Area
You've defined your needs. Now you need to find agencies that can actually meet them. Here's how to research effectively without wasting weeks.
Start Online — But Go Deeper Than Page One
Search "marketing agency near me" or "marketing agency [your city]" — but don't just look at the first three results. Visit their websites. Read their service pages. Look for specificity. An agency that says "we do everything for everyone" probably does nothing well. An agency that clearly defines who they serve, what they build, and how they measure success is already ahead of the pack.
Leverage Your Network
Ask business owners you trust — not who they use, but whether they can trace their marketing to revenue. The recommendation you want isn't "they're nice to work with." It's "they generated $200K in pipeline last quarter and I can see exactly where it came from." Personal referrals grounded in results are worth more than any online review.
Check the Directories — But Read Critically
Platforms like Clutch, UpCity, and Google Business Profile provide listings with client reviews and ratings. These are useful for creating a shortlist, but take the ratings in context. A 5-star agency with ten reviews may be less proven than a 4.8-star agency with a hundred. Look for reviews that mention specific results, not just pleasant experiences.
Test Their Own Marketing
This is the most underused research method: evaluate how the agency markets itself. Is their website conversion-optimized or is it a beautiful brochure with no clear CTA? Do they have a blog with real substance or generic AI-generated fluff? Do they show up in AI search results when you ask ChatGPT about agencies in your area? If an agency can't market themselves effectively, they're not going to market you effectively.
Five Questions to Ask
Every Marketing Agency
You've got a shortlist. Now it's time to separate the real operators from the PowerPoint agencies. These five questions will do it fast.
"Can you show me which campaigns generated closed revenue — not just leads?"
This is the kill shot. Most agencies will show you impressions, clicks, and lead counts. Push for closed-deal attribution. If they can't connect marketing activity to actual revenue in their CRM, they're reporting on inputs, not outcomes. An agency that tracks first-touch to closed-won is fundamentally different from one that tracks click-through rates.
"What is your AI search optimization strategy?"
ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews — if the agency doesn't have a strategy for structuring your content so AI recommends your business, they're optimizing for a search landscape that's rapidly shrinking. Ask specifically: how are they using FAQ schema, structured data, and authority signals for AI citation? If they pause, they're behind.
"Do I own the assets you build — or am I renting them?"
Traditional agency models create dependency. You stop paying, everything stops. Ask whether you'll own the CRM infrastructure, the content library, the attribution system, and the website — or whether it all disappears when the contract ends. Ownership models build long-term value. Rental models build long-term invoices.
"How do your services integrate — or are you outsourcing?"
If the agency outsources video to one vendor, SEO to another, and web to a third — you're not hiring one agency, you're hiring a project manager with subcontractors. That creates the same fragmentation tax you'd have managing vendors yourself. Ask who actually does the work.
"Show me case studies with actual revenue numbers."
Not traffic increases. Not engagement rates. Not "brand lift." Revenue. A case study that says "we increased organic traffic 200%" without connecting it to pipeline and closed deals is telling you half a story — the half that makes them look good. Demand the full picture.
Evaluating Agency Portfolios
and Case Studies
Portfolios show you what an agency can create. Case studies show you what they can achieve. You need both — but the case studies matter more.
What to Look for in Portfolios
Diversity of work across industries and project types demonstrates adaptability. Consistency in quality shows professionalism. But the real question is: does their work resemble what you need? A portfolio full of stunning brand identities is irrelevant if you need a CRM-integrated revenue system. Match the portfolio to your problem, not your aesthetic preferences.
What to Look for in Case Studies
Three things separate real case studies from marketing brochures: revenue attribution, industry relevance, and system thinking.
First — do the case studies include revenue numbers or just vanity metrics? A case study that says "increased website traffic 200%" without connecting it to pipeline and closed deals is hiding something. Second — have they worked with businesses similar to yours in size, industry, and growth stage? Third — do the case studies show integrated systems or isolated tactics? An agency that demonstrates how video, SEO, ads, and email all connected to drive one pipeline outcome is operating at a fundamentally different level than one showing disconnected deliverables.
Understanding Pricing Models
for Marketing Services
Marketing agencies typically charge through three models — and the one you choose shapes what you get.
Hourly Rates
$100–$300/hour for consulting or specialized services. Flexible — you pay for time used. Risk: costs unpredictable for complex projects. Best for: short-term consulting, one-off advice, audits.
Project-Based Fees
$5,000–$80,000+ for defined deliverables — website builds, campaign launches, rebrands. Predictable budget. Risk: scope changes incur extra costs. Best for: specific one-time projects with clear deliverables.
Monthly Retainers
$1,500–$30,000+/month for ongoing services. Consistent support, long-term planning, often discounted vs. hourly. Risk: poorly structured retainers become expensive with unclear deliverables. Best for: ongoing, integrated marketing systems.
Ownership Model
A fixed engagement (e.g., 12 months) where you build and own the complete system — attribution infrastructure, content, CRM architecture. After the engagement, it's yours. Best for: B2B companies that want long-term value, not permanent dependency.
When discussing pricing with agencies, clarify what's included in their fees, what counts as additional, how they bill, and most importantly — what return on investment they expect the work to generate. An agency that only discusses cost without discussing expected revenue return is selling you a service, not a solution.
Pricing varies widely. Boutique agencies charge $1,500–$5,000/month for individual services. Mid-tier agencies charge $5,000–$15,000/month for managed campaigns. Full-service agencies charge $10,000–$30,000+/month. For B2B companies, GRAVITY Growth offers Foundation ($3,000–$5,000/month), Growth ($5,000–$10,000/month), and Scale ($10,000–$15,000/month) — all including video, web, SEO, ads, email, and full revenue attribution with 12-month ownership transfer. The real question isn't cost — it's whether the agency can show you the revenue their work generates.
Client Testimonials
& Reviews — What to Trust
Client testimonials and online reviews are valuable — but only if you read them the right way.
What Good Testimonials Include
The testimonials that matter mention specific outcomes: revenue generated, pipeline created, sales cycles shortened, deals closed. A testimonial that says "they're great to work with and very responsive" tells you about the experience. A testimonial that says "they generated $1.4M in attributed pipeline in the first twelve months" tells you about the results. Both matter. Results matter more.
How to Read Online Reviews
Google Reviews, Clutch, and industry directories offer broader perspectives. Look at the pattern, not individual reviews. Are clients consistently mentioning measurable results — or consistently praising "creativity" and "communication" without mentioning business impact? Volume matters too — a 5-star average with ten reviews is less informative than 4.8 stars with a hundred.
Ask for References Directly
Don't just read the curated testimonials on their website. Ask for direct references — ideally from businesses similar to yours in size and industry. Talk to those references and ask the same five questions you asked the agency. If their clients can confirm revenue attribution, CRM integration, and measurable ROI, you've found a real operator.
Red Flags & Green Flags
When Hiring an Agency
Before you sign anything — check for these.
Red Flags
Green Flags
Major red flags: inability to show revenue attribution in case studies, long-term contracts with no ownership transfer, outsourcing core services without transparency, no AI search optimization strategy, vague pricing with hidden fees, and resistance to CRM integration. Also watch for agencies that promise specific results without diagnosing your business first — real agencies ask questions before they propose solutions.
The only metric that ultimately matters is revenue attributed to marketing. If your agency reports on impressions, clicks, and engagement but cannot show you which campaigns generated which closed deals — they're not delivering accountability. Demand CRM-level attribution: which keyword generated which lead, which content that lead consumed, and how much revenue the deal was worth.
Making the Right Choice
for Your Business
Choosing the best marketing agency near you comes down to one question: can they show you the revenue?
Not the deliverables. Not the metrics. Not the creative. The revenue. Every dollar traced from first touch to closed deal.
The right agency will be a strategic partner that understands your business, shares your vision, and is committed to outcomes you can measure in your bank account. They'll provide the expertise, creativity, and systems needed to elevate your brand — and they'll prove it with data, not promises.
Use the five questions. Check for the red flags. Demand revenue attribution. And don't settle for an agency that can't prove their work generates money.
Finding the Right
Marketing Agency
Start by defining the specific business problem you need solved — not just "I need marketing." Search for agencies in your area, but evaluate on capability, not proximity. The five questions that matter: (1) Can you show me which campaigns generated closed revenue? (2) What is your AI search optimization strategy? (3) Do I own what you build? (4) How do your services integrate? (5) Case studies with revenue numbers? Any agency that pauses on these is behind.
Ask five questions: (1) Can you show me which campaigns generated closed revenue — not just leads or traffic? (2) What is your AI search optimization strategy? (3) Do I own the assets and systems you build, or am I renting? (4) How do your services integrate — or are you outsourcing? (5) Case studies with actual revenue numbers? Additionally ask about CRM integration capabilities, lead scoring, and how they measure ROI.
Boutique agencies: $1,500–$5,000/month. Mid-tier: $5,000–$15,000/month. Full-service: $10,000–$30,000+/month. GRAVITY Growth offers Foundation ($3,000–$5,000), Growth ($5,000–$10,000), and Scale ($10,000–$15,000) — all including video, web, SEO, ads, email, and full revenue attribution with 12-month ownership transfer.
Look for three things: revenue attribution (do case studies include actual revenue?), industry relevance (have they worked with similar businesses?), and system thinking (do case studies show integrated systems or isolated tactics?). Case studies that show traffic increases without connecting to revenue are telling you half a story.
Local agencies offer face-to-face collaboration, understanding of regional markets, on-site capabilities like video production, and accountability within your business community. The ideal is an agency that combines local presence with national-grade systems and revenue attribution.
No revenue attribution in case studies, long-term contracts with no ownership, outsourcing without transparency, no AI search strategy, vague pricing, resistance to CRM integration, and promises without diagnosis. Real agencies ask hard questions about your business before proposing solutions.
Revenue attributed to marketing. If your agency reports on impressions and engagement but can't show which campaigns generated which closed deals — they're not delivering accountability. Demand CRM-level attribution. GRAVITY Growth has tracked $62M+ in attributed revenue across 218+ companies. It's not hard when you build the system.
Ask for closed-won attribution, not just leads. Request case studies that show which campaigns generated which deals and exact dollar amounts in their CRM. Ask for client references and confirm they have CRM-native execution with lead scoring, source tracking, and closed-loop reporting. If they only show impressions, clicks, or "brand lift," walk away.
A concrete plan to make your content recommendable and citable by AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews. Look for structured data (FAQ schema), clear entity and authority signals, and content formatted for AI answers. Given that 73% of Gen Z discovers vendors through AI tools before opening a browser, an agency without an AEO strategy is already behind the biggest shift in marketing since Google.
Choose a specialist for a single, high-stakes deliverable such as a world-class rebrand or enterprise website. Choose an integrated agency if you're running multiple disconnected tactics with no unified attribution. An integrated partner eliminates the fragmentation tax — the 20–40% of wasted budget that occurs when vendors don't communicate — by aligning SEO, content, web, ads, and email inside one tracked system.
Understand how each pricing model maps to outcomes: hourly (flexible), project-based (defined deliverables), retainers (ongoing systems), and ownership models (you keep the infrastructure). Clarify inclusions, extras, billing, and expected returns. For B2B companies, a healthy ROI target is 3x–5x, with top-performing integrated systems averaging 12.9x. If an agency talks cost without projected ROI, they're selling tasks — not outcomes.
The revenue system itself: your CRM infrastructure, attribution architecture, content library, and website. Ownership models build lasting value while rental models create dependency and long-term invoices. Avoid long-term contracts that leave you with nothing when they end. At GRAVITY Growth, clients own their complete system — attribution infrastructure, content, CRM architecture — after 12 months.
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