Comparison
Amazon agency vs Amazon consultant: which is right for you?
A straight comparison of cost, coverage and accountability — and a third option most brands don't know exists.
Side by side
How the three options compare
| Criteria | Freelance consultant | Traditional agency | Groke Digital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Set by the consultant; ask for it in writing | Set per agency; ask for it in writing | $999/mo flat, published |
| What's covered | Usually one or two areas, like PPC only | Full account: PPC, listings, content, health | Full account, with a published scope |
| Contract | Varies | Varies; check the minimum term | None — cancel any month with 30 days' notice |
| Pricing published | Varies | Varies | Yes, every add-on too |
| Who does the work | The consultant | Varies; ask who does the work | Founder-led team |
| Continuity | Single point of failure | Team coverage | Team coverage, documented work |
| Best for | A single, specific fix on a tight budget | Brands that need many channels run at once | Brands doing ~$25K–$50K a month |
Who should choose what
It depends on where you are now
Choose a consultant if you…
- Are pre-launch with a very small budget
- Need one specific job done, like a single listing rewrite
- Already have a team and only need specialist advice
Choose a big agency if you…
- Have the budget for a large, multi-channel retainer
- Need many channels run at once
- Are happy with long contracts and account managers
Choose Groke if you…
- Have outgrown doing it yourself
- Can't justify a large monthly retainer
- Want a founder-led team and published prices
Common questions
Agency vs consultant, answered
What is the difference between an Amazon agency and an Amazon consultant?
An agency is a team that manages several parts of your account — PPC, listings, content, account health — under documented processes. A consultant is usually one person with deep skill in one or two areas. Agencies give broader coverage and continuity; consultants are often cheaper but narrower.
Is an Amazon agency more expensive than a consultant?
Usually. Freelance consultants usually charge less for a narrower scope, while full-service agencies charge more for broader coverage; exact pricing varies widely. Groke Digital sits between the two: full management for a flat $999 a month with a published scope.
When should I hire an agency instead of a consultant?
When you need more than one thing handled at once — advertising, listings and account health together — or when your account is large enough that a consultant disappearing mid-campaign would really hurt.
What happens if my consultant becomes unavailable?
With one person, you depend on their availability. If they get sick, take on too many clients or change careers, your account loses support immediately. A team documents the work so someone always knows your account.
Can a small brand afford a full-service Amazon agency?
It depends on the agency's fees and minimums, so ask for both in writing. Affordable full management is the gap Groke Digital was built for: full store management at $999 a month, no long-term contract, aimed at brands doing roughly $25K to $50K a month.
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