The High Pass.

Guides

How to hire a marketing agency

A short, evidence-based set on choosing well. Read in order or jump to what you need; each one hands off to the ranked directory.

Part 1

Do You Need a Marketing Agency, and Which Kind?

Whether to hire a marketing agency, go in-house, or use a freelancer, and how to tell which discipline (SEO, digital marketing, more) you actually need.

Part 2

How to Choose a Marketing Agency

The signals that predict a good marketing agency, the two we score and publish plus the one you check yourself, and how to shortlist without the legwork.

Part 3

How to Spot a Bad Marketing Agency

The red flags that separate a bad marketing agency from a good one, from guaranteed rankings and gamed reviews to pay-to-play directories and lock-in contracts.

Part 4

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Marketing Agency

Six questions to ask before hiring a marketing agency, with what a real answer sounds like versus a dodge on each.