You hired a marketing agency to grow your business. Instead, you’re watching money disappear with nothing to show for it.
You’re not alone. Small business owners get taken advantage of constantly. Agencies count on you not knowing what good marketing looks like. They use jargon, vague promises, and confusing reports to hide the fact that they’re doing almost nothing.
Here are five signs your marketing agency is ripping you off.
1. They Won’t Show You the Actual Work
Ask to see the Facebook ads they’re running. Request login access to your Google Analytics. Want to review the social media calendar?
If they dodge, deflect, or say “trust us,” you have a problem.
What honest agencies do: You get full access to everything. Ad accounts, analytics, content calendars, all of it. They walk you through what they’re doing and why.
Red flag phrases:
- “We can’t share that, it’s proprietary”
- “The dashboard shows everything you need”
- “You wouldn’t understand the backend”
You’re paying for it. You own it. Period.
2. Reports Are Full of Vanity Metrics
Your monthly report shows 10,000 impressions, 500 clicks, and 200 new followers.
Cool. How many leads did you get? How many sales?
Agencies love reporting metrics that sound impressive but mean nothing for your bottom line. Impressions don’t pay your rent. Engagement doesn’t cover payroll.
What matters:
- Leads generated
- Cost per lead
- Conversion rate
- Revenue attributed to marketing
- ROI
If your reports don’t show these numbers, your agency is hiding something.
3. They Promised Fast Results
“We’ll get you on page one of Google in 30 days.” “You’ll see leads within the first week.” “Our secret strategy gets instant results.”
No. Real marketing takes time. SEO takes months. Building an audience takes consistent effort. Anyone promising overnight success is either lying or using tactics that will hurt you long-term.
Realistic timelines:
- SEO: 3-6 months to see movement
- Content marketing: 4-8 months to build momentum
- Social media: 6-12 months to grow organically
- Paid ads: 2-4 weeks to optimize
Fast results exist (paid ads can work quickly), but anyone guaranteeing them across the board is full of it.
4. Your Contract Locks You In
12-month minimum. 90-day cancellation notice. Setup fees that don’t get refunded if you leave.
These contracts exist to trap you. The agency knows if you could leave anytime, you would.
What fair contracts look like:
- Month-to-month or quarterly max
- 30-day cancellation notice
- Clear scope of work
- No hidden fees
If they need a year-long contract to keep you as a client, they don’t trust their own work.
5. Communication is Terrible
You email questions. They take a week to respond. You request a call. They’re “too busy.” You ask for changes. Nothing happens.
Bad communication isn’t just annoying. It’s a sign they’re juggling too many clients or don’t care about your account.
What good communication looks like:
- Response within 24-48 hours
- Regular check-ins (at least monthly)
- Proactive updates when things change
- They answer questions in plain language
You shouldn’t have to chase down the people you’re paying.
What to Do If You Spotted Your Agency
First, document everything. Save reports, emails, and contracts.
Then, schedule a direct conversation. List your concerns. Give them one chance to fix it.
If they get defensive, make excuses, or nothing changes? Fire them. You’ll waste more money staying than you’ll lose by starting over.
How to Find a Marketing Agency That Won’t Screw You
- Ask for references (and actually call them)
- Request a trial period before committing long-term
- Make sure they explain everything in simple terms
- Verify they’ll give you full access to your accounts
- Check their contract for red flags
You deserve an agency that treats your budget like it’s their own. One that shows you results, not just pretty reports.
Tired of getting burned by marketing agencies? I help small business owners figure out what marketing they actually need (and what’s a waste of money). Book a free 20-minute call, and I’ll give you straight answers with no sales pitch.