Hiring · 8 min read
How to Pick a Marketing Agency in India: 12 Questions to Ask
TL;DR
Most agency pitches sound the same. These 12 questions filter the real ones from the rest.
Why this matters
Agencies in India range from ₹10,000/month freelancers to ₹10,00,000/month giants. The pitch decks all look similar. The only way to find a real one is to ask better questions.
The 12 questions
- Who exactly will work on my account? If the answer is 'a team', ask for names and seniority.
- How many clients in my industry have you worked with? Look for at least 3.
- What does the first 30 days look like? Vague answers = vague delivery.
- Show me a real client dashboard. If they cannot, they probably do not have one.
- What is your minimum engagement? Less than 3 months means they cannot really change anything.
- How do I know it is working week 4? Specific KPIs matter.
- What is your refund policy if I cancel? Read it before you pay.
- Do I own the work, accounts, and assets if we stop? Should always be yes.
- Will you work with a competitor of mine? Ask explicitly. Most do.
- Show me the work you are most proud of and the work you would do differently. The second answer matters more.
- What is the worst project you have ever shipped and why? Honest agencies have an answer.
- What references will you give me? Talk to two of them.
Red flags to walk away from
- Guarantees of #1 rankings or specific revenue.
- 'We work with Fortune 500' but cannot name an India-relevant client.
- 30-page proposal with no plan for the first 30 days.
- Refusal to share dashboards or weekly reports.
- Asking for 12-month upfront payment.
Compare your options
Read our comparison pages: agency vs in-house, agency vs freelancer, DIY vs agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick the cheapest option?
Almost never. The cheapest agency usually costs you the most in lost time and missed opportunity.
Are bigger agencies better?
Sometimes for big budgets and big brands. For SMBs, smaller senior-led teams almost always deliver more per rupee.
How long should I commit?
3 months minimum to see anything real, 12 months to know if it is the right fit.
Want this done for your business?
If reading this made you think "yes, but I do not have the time", that is exactly what we do. Tell us about your business and we will reply with a real plan in 1 working day.