A BUSINESS OWNER’S CHECKLIST
How to choose
a marketing agency.
The right agency depends on your goals, budget, service requirements and ability to handle new business. Compare the work and evidence behind an offer before signing.
1. Define the problem you want solved.
Write down whether you need a new website, more appropriate inquiries, clearer campaign tracking or better follow-up. These require different work. Ask the agency to explain why its proposed service fits that problem.
2. Compare the full cost.
Separate setup, recurring management, advertising spend, software subscriptions and usage charges. Ask what changes the price: extra locations, campaigns, creative, revisions or custom integrations. A lower headline price may cover a narrower scope.
3. Check ownership and access.
Confirm who owns the domain, website deliverables and advertising accounts, and when agreed deliverables transfer. Understand third-party licenses and what happens if you stop working together. Use role-based access rather than sharing personal passwords.
4. Ask for relevant, verifiable evidence.
Look for real work that matches the service you need. Ask whether a portfolio item is client work, a concept or a template. When reviewing results, ask about the dates, spend, scope and measurement limits. Testimonials should be genuine and used with permission.
5. Agree on measurement and communication.
Decide which outcomes can be measured reliably and who maintains the records. For lead generation, distinguish inquiries, qualified prospects, appointments and paying customers. Agree on reporting, responsibilities and how requests for decisions are handled.
6. Read the boundaries before committing.
Review deliverables, exclusions, revision limits, term length, payment dates and cancellation or renewal terms. Be cautious about promises of guaranteed first place in Google, guaranteed sales or unexplained “AI visibility” tricks. Search platforms control their own results.
Where Le Brouillard fits.
Le Brouillard LLC provides owner-operated website development, Google and Meta advertising management, optional website upkeep, permission-based email/SMS marketing and focused consultations. Published packages give you a starting point; a written scope defines the actual work. Service-fit inquiries are free. Results are not guaranteed.
This guide is published by Le Brouillard, which sells the services described. It is a practical comparison checklist, not an independent agency ranking or legal, financial or investment advice.