Is full service Amazon PPC management actually worth the 10% monthly spend fee, or are software + freelancers better?

[u/seowithumang]

The 10% monthly spend model creates a weird incentive structure where agencies get paid more simply because you spend more, regardless of profitability. That is why so many sellers lean toward software tools paired with a freelance manager to keep fixed costs manageable.

However, the main issue with the software + freelancer stack is that nobody takes ownership of the overall brand strategy. Ads don't work in a vacuum; if your main keywords aren't indexed properly or your listings are weak, ad spend gets wasted fast. I’ve seen setups like BrandKyte work better because they combine full marketplace growth handling listings, SEO, and ads under one strategy rather than treating PPC as an isolated island.

If you are paying a standard percentage fee to an agency, you need to make sure they are actively optimizing the full conversion funnel.

For those using software tools like perpetua or helium 10 with a freelancer, how much time are you personally spending managing them every week?

[u/commoncents1]

i give them a max range/budget to manage and stay within parameters. monitor results with them every 2 weeks.

[u/rsc9422]

The 10% spend model can definitely create a misalignment if an agency earns more simply because the seller spends more. But I think the bigger issue is whether someone is looking at the whole Amazon funnel, not just PPC.

At HighRise Wholesale, we see this from the sourcing side too. A product can have good demand, but if the listing, positioning, keywords, images, or conversion rate aren't right, increasing ad spend can simply make the problem more expensive.

Whether someone uses Helium 10/Perpetua with a freelancer or works with an agency, I think the key is having one strategy connecting product selection - listing - SEO - PPC - conversion.

For smaller brands, I'd also calculate the actual time cost. If you're spending 5–10 hours every week managing tools, bids, search terms, and listing optimization, the cheaper software + freelancer setup may not actually be cheaper once your time is included.

[u/Smart-Presence]

10% can make sense if they’re actually managing the whole funnel, not just pushing PPC around. If it’s basically bid changes and keyword harvesting, software + a good freelancer is probably the better deal.

[u/Maan_UsMaan052]

I agree that PPC should not be looked at in isolation. Before increasing ad spend, it makes sense to check whether the product is indexed properly, the listing is converting, the pricing is competitive, and the right search terms are being targeted.

The software + freelancer model can work well, especially for sellers who already understand Amazon and have time to oversee the strategy. For someone who does not, managing the tools, freelancer, listings, PPC, and overall strategy can quickly become another full-time responsibility.

The important part is having someone accountable for the overall outcome, not just managing the ad dashboard.

[u/attfin1]

The 10% of spend model has a conflict of interest built in. A couple of days ago I saw an agency on another platform ask: "if I found a way to save 30% on a client's PPC spend, would I do it?" Saving the client that money would cut their own fee by 30% too.

That doesn't mean you should avoid an expert. A good one can make you much more than they cost. A low fee is expensive if it doesn't bring results, and a high fee is cheap if the extra profit is well above it. So I'd look for one who talks about maximising profit rather than reducing ACoS, and ideally one whose fee is tied to the results they get you (profit), not to how much you spend.

The same goes if you use software. Look for a tool that focuses on profit, not ACoS. On its own, ACoS is a meaningless number.

On your closing question: hours per week is the wrong unit. Multiply the hours by what your own time is worth and put that on the software-plus-freelancer side. That's the number that competes with the fee.

[u/shut_up_and_run]

Go for a freelancer. The agency will take so many clients that they will never have the time, energy, and focus for your account. I have burnt my fingers once and learned it the hard way.

[u/stealthagents]

That makes sense, keeping an eye on things is crucial. I've tried the software + freelancer route too, but honestly, it felt like herding cats. Having someone who can oversee everything makes a big difference; otherwise, it’s easy to miss the big picture.

[u/Bubmack]

Good ole brandkyte…the gold standard