Choosing an agency guides.

Straight answers on ads, SEO and AI search, conversion and retention for consumer-brand startups.

• Choosing an agency

  In-house marketing vs agency: which should a startup choose?

  Most startups should start with an agency or outsourced team and bring marketing in-house as channels grow. A three-person in-house team costs about $38,600 a month...

  Read guide · 6 min
• wadabuChoosing an agency

  Best Shopify agencies for scaling DTC brands (2026)

  The best Shopify agency for a scaling DTC brand depends on the job. Liquid Lemon fits brands that want a fully custom store live in 30...

  Read guide · 9 min
• Choosing an agency

  What is a fractional CMO, and does a startup need one?

  A fractional CMO is a part-time chief marketing officer who works with a company, often one to three days a week, usually on a monthly retainer...

  Read guide · 5 min
• Choosing an agency

  Outsourced marketing department: how startups rent a full growth team

  An outsourced marketing department is an outside team that plans and runs a startup's marketing: paid ads, SEO, website conversion and email. In 2026 a multi-channel...

  Read guide · 6 min
• Choosing an agency

  How to choose a marketing agency for your startup: 10 questions

  Choose a marketing agency on four things: who runs the account, what gets delivered each month, which revenue number it answers to, and how easily you...

  Read guide · 5 min
• Choosing an agency

  What does a marketing agency actually do for a startup?

  A marketing agency runs the channels that bring a startup customers: paid ads, SEO and AI search, website conversion, and email and retention. It plans the...

  Read guide · 4 min
• Choosing an agency

  Fractional CMO vs growth agency: what a startup actually needs

  A fractional CMO sets strategy a few days a week and typically costs $5,000–$20,000 a month in 2026, but doesn't run the channels. A growth agency...

  Read guide · 4 min