Most quotes mix two different costs together. Once you separate them, it becomes much easier to compare agencies and plan a budget.
When a shop owner in Malviya Nagar or a clinic in Saket asks us "how much will marketing cost?", the honest first answer is: it depends on two separate things, and most quotes you get will blur them together. Once you split them, comparing agencies becomes a lot easier.
The two costs you are actually paying
1. The agency or freelancer fee. This is what you pay someone to plan, create and manage the work: SEO, social media posts, ad setup, reports. It is usually a fixed monthly amount.
2. The ad budget. This is money that goes directly to Google or Meta (Facebook and Instagram) when you run ads. The agency doesn't keep it. You can usually pay it straight from your own card into your own ad account.
If an agency quotes "₹20,000 a month for ads", ask which part is their fee and which part actually reaches Google or Meta. A good agency will show you both clearly.
What changes the price
- How many channels. Just Google Business Profile and local SEO costs much less than SEO plus ads plus three social media pages.
- How competitive your field is. Ranking a bakery in Madangir is far easier than ranking a real estate firm or an IVF clinic across Delhi.
- Content volume. Eight reels a month is more work than eight static posts. Blog articles and video editing add cost too.
- Your starting point. A business with a slow, outdated website may need that fixed first, because ads sending people to a bad page waste money.
What our own plans look like
To keep things transparent, here is how we price. Our Local Starter plan is ₹4,999 a month and covers Google Business Profile and basic local SEO. The Starter plan at ₹11,999 a month adds 10-keyword local SEO, Google Business Profile setup, one social media platform and a monthly report. Our Professional plan at ₹27,999 a month adds Google and Meta ads management, content and landing pages. Larger brands needing everything usually start from ₹59,999 a month. Ad spend is always separate and stays in your own account.
Other agencies in Delhi will charge more or less than this. What matters is that you know exactly what work is included for the money.
If your budget is small, start here
If you can't spend much yet, don't spread a small budget across five things. In our experience, local businesses get the most from this order:
- Google Business Profile. Free to set up. Correct categories, timings, photos and genuine reviews often bring calls within weeks. See our Google Business Profile service.
- A simple, fast website with your services, prices (or a starting price), location and a WhatsApp button.
- One social platform done well, usually Instagram for shops, cafes and salons, LinkedIn for B2B.
- Small ad tests once the basics are in place, so you can see what a lead costs before spending more.
Red flags in a quote
- "Guaranteed #1 ranking on Google." Nobody controls Google's results.
- Ad accounts created in the agency's name instead of yours.
- No clear list of what is delivered each month.
- Reports that only show likes and impressions, never calls or enquiries.
Quick answers
Is the ad budget included in the agency fee?
Usually not. The agency fee pays for the work. The ad budget is paid separately to Google or Meta, ideally from your own account so you can always see where the money went.
How long should I try before judging results?
Give ads at least four to six weeks of testing. Give SEO and Google Maps work three to six months, because rankings build gradually.
Can I start with just one service?
Yes. Many of our clients start with Google Business Profile and local SEO, then add ads or social media once the first results come in.
Based near Hauz Khas or Malviya Nagar? Our Madangir team works with businesses across South Delhi on exactly this.
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