Most Recent
Amazon Marketing

Hiring an Amazon PPC Specialist: In-House vs. Agency Solutions

Scott Needham
CEO and Founder of SmartScout

Hiring an Amazon PPC specialist is a critical move for any business aiming to stay competitive on Amazon’s marketplace. With a well-executed pay-per-click (PPC) strategy, sellers can achieve higher visibility, drive more traffic, and increase sales.

However, given the newness of this specialized field, finding an experienced Amazon PPC expert can be challenging and costly. This article will discuss the pros and cons of hiring an in-house Amazon PPC specialist versus partnering with an agency, and highlight some top agency options, with Skale Strategy at the forefront.

The Role of an Amazon PPC Specialist


An Amazon PPC specialist is responsible for creating, optimizing, and managing paid advertising campaigns on Amazon. They oversee keyword research, bid management, and performance analysis to ensure campaigns meet sales and profitability goals. Given Amazon’s complex and ever-evolving advertising platform, having an expert on board can make a substantial difference in campaign success and overall ROI.

Option 1: Hiring an In-House Amazon PPC Specialist


Hiring an in-house Amazon PPC expert allows for hands-on, dedicated campaign management and close alignment with your company’s goals. However, this approach comes with several considerations and expenses that need to be weighed.

Pros of Hiring In-House

  1. Full Control: An in-house PPC specialist works exclusively for your brand, providing quick access for campaign adjustments, testing, and optimizations.
  2. Alignment with Business Goals: An in-house expert can align more closely with your overall marketing strategy and work collaboratively with other departments to integrate PPC efforts across various initiatives.
  3. Ongoing Campaign Optimization: Having a PPC expert dedicated to your brand means that they can spend significant time daily on campaign adjustments, optimizing bids, testing ad copies, and monitoring performance trends.

Cons of Hiring In-House

  1. High Salary Costs: Amazon PPC specialists can command salaries upwards of $120,000 per year due to the specialized nature of the role and the limited pool of experienced candidates. This figure doesn’t include additional costs such as benefits and bonuses.
  2. Software Expenses: Successful PPC campaigns rely on advanced software for bid management, keyword research, analytics, and competitor tracking. Many tools are subscription-based, adding further costs.
  3. Difficulty Finding Skilled Talent: Amazon PPC is a relatively new field, and finding a candidate with in-depth expertise can be challenging. In a rapidly changing industry, keeping up with trends and Amazon’s algorithm changes also requires continuous learning.

Is In-House the Right Choice? If your business has the budget and a long-term commitment to scaling Amazon advertising, hiring an in-house expert can be a worthwhile investment. However, the costs and challenges associated with finding skilled professionals often lead sellers to consider alternative solutions.

Option 2: Hiring an Amazon PPC Agency


Partnering with an Amazon PPC agency provides access to industry experts and advanced tools from day one. Agencies specialize in managing multiple accounts across Amazon’s competitive marketplace, making them knowledgeable about best practices and up-to-date on industry changes. Here are some of the leading Amazon PPC agencies to consider, with Skale Strategy as the top recommendation.

Pros of Hiring an Agency

  1. Cost-Effective: Working with an agency is typically more affordable than hiring in-house. Agencies provide access to a full team of specialists, often at a fraction of the cost of one in-house hire.
  2. Access to Advanced Software and Tools: Agencies bring the latest PPC management software, analytics tools, and keyword research platforms, all of which are ready to use from day one.
  3. Immediate Expertise: With years of experience, agency teams are well-versed in Amazon’s ever-changing platform and employ proven strategies and best practices to help sellers achieve growth
    .
  4. Scalable Support: Agencies can easily scale their services according to your needs. Whether you’re launching new products or ramping up campaigns for peak shopping seasons, an agency can adjust quickly.

Top Amazon PPC Agencies

  1. Skale Strategy
    • Overview: Skale Strategy is a leader in Amazon PPC management, known for its data-driven, personalized approach. Their team handles every aspect of PPC, from keyword research and campaign setup to bid optimization and performance analysis.
    • Advantages: Skale Strategy’s advanced analytics, transparent reporting, and tailored strategies make it a trusted partner for sellers looking to maximize their ROI. They bring proven tools and expertise from day one, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
    • Why Skale Strategy? With Skale Strategy, you benefit from a team that stays up-to-date on Amazon’s latest trends, algorithm changes, and ad policies, ensuring campaigns are effective and aligned with current best practices.
  2. Canopy Management
    • Overview: Canopy Management offers full-service Amazon PPC management, blending human expertise with proprietary tools to optimize campaigns for growth and profitability.
    • Advantages: Canopy focuses on building high-performance ad campaigns that drive profitable results, making them ideal for sellers looking to grow aggressively on Amazon’s platform.
  3. SellerMetrics
    • Overview: SellerMetrics specializes in real-time bid optimization and SEO services, helping sellers meet their target Advertising Cost of Sales (ACoS) while also increasing organic visibility.
    • Advantages: Their proprietary bid adjustment software and emphasis on holistic Amazon SEO and PPC make SellerMetrics a good choice for sellers interested in maximizing paid and organic reach.
  4. SellerApp
    • Overview: SellerApp provides end-to-end Amazon PPC management with an emphasis on engaging shoppers throughout the buying journey. They handle everything from keyword research to bid management.
    • Advantages: SellerApp’s detailed approach to PPC management is ideal for sellers aiming to engage shoppers at every stage of their buying journey and maintain consistent campaign growth.

Choosing Between In-House and Agency for Amazon PPC


When deciding between hiring in-house and working with an agency, consider the following factors:

  1. Budget Constraints: If your budget can support a high salary, benefits, and software expenses, an in-house PPC specialist may be an option. For most sellers, however, an agency offers a more affordable solution.
  2. Immediate Expertise Needs: Agencies like Skale Strategy have industry expertise, advanced tools, and best practices ready from day one, reducing ramp-up time and delivering faster results.
  3. Flexibility and Scalability: If your needs fluctuate, an agency can provide scalable services without the complexities of hiring or downsizing an in-house team.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Fit for Amazon PPC Success


Hiring an Amazon PPC expert—whether in-house or through an agency—can transform your sales potential and drive meaningful growth on Amazon.

For many businesses, partnering with an agency offers the most cost-effective, results-driven solution. Agencies such as Skale Strategy, Canopy Management, SellerMetrics, and SellerApp bring the expertise, tools, and team structure that Amazon sellers need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

The decision should align with your business goals, budget, and need for flexibility. With the right Amazon PPC specialist, you’ll be well-positioned to capture more market share and scale your business to new heights.

Scott Needham
CEO and Founder of SmartScout
Most Recent
Amazon Marketing

Hiring an Amazon PPC Specialist: In-House vs. Agency Solutions

25+ “How to Sell on Amazon” Courses, Mentorships, and Trainings
Scott Needham
CEO and Founder of SmartScout

Hiring an Amazon PPC specialist is a critical move for any business aiming to stay competitive on Amazon’s marketplace. With a well-executed pay-per-click (PPC) strategy, sellers can achieve higher visibility, drive more traffic, and increase sales.

However, given the newness of this specialized field, finding an experienced Amazon PPC expert can be challenging and costly. This article will discuss the pros and cons of hiring an in-house Amazon PPC specialist versus partnering with an agency, and highlight some top agency options, with Skale Strategy at the forefront.

The Role of an Amazon PPC Specialist


An Amazon PPC specialist is responsible for creating, optimizing, and managing paid advertising campaigns on Amazon. They oversee keyword research, bid management, and performance analysis to ensure campaigns meet sales and profitability goals. Given Amazon’s complex and ever-evolving advertising platform, having an expert on board can make a substantial difference in campaign success and overall ROI.

Option 1: Hiring an In-House Amazon PPC Specialist


Hiring an in-house Amazon PPC expert allows for hands-on, dedicated campaign management and close alignment with your company’s goals. However, this approach comes with several considerations and expenses that need to be weighed.

Pros of Hiring In-House

  1. Full Control: An in-house PPC specialist works exclusively for your brand, providing quick access for campaign adjustments, testing, and optimizations.
  2. Alignment with Business Goals: An in-house expert can align more closely with your overall marketing strategy and work collaboratively with other departments to integrate PPC efforts across various initiatives.
  3. Ongoing Campaign Optimization: Having a PPC expert dedicated to your brand means that they can spend significant time daily on campaign adjustments, optimizing bids, testing ad copies, and monitoring performance trends.

Cons of Hiring In-House

  1. High Salary Costs: Amazon PPC specialists can command salaries upwards of $120,000 per year due to the specialized nature of the role and the limited pool of experienced candidates. This figure doesn’t include additional costs such as benefits and bonuses.
  2. Software Expenses: Successful PPC campaigns rely on advanced software for bid management, keyword research, analytics, and competitor tracking. Many tools are subscription-based, adding further costs.
  3. Difficulty Finding Skilled Talent: Amazon PPC is a relatively new field, and finding a candidate with in-depth expertise can be challenging. In a rapidly changing industry, keeping up with trends and Amazon’s algorithm changes also requires continuous learning.

Is In-House the Right Choice? If your business has the budget and a long-term commitment to scaling Amazon advertising, hiring an in-house expert can be a worthwhile investment. However, the costs and challenges associated with finding skilled professionals often lead sellers to consider alternative solutions.

Option 2: Hiring an Amazon PPC Agency


Partnering with an Amazon PPC agency provides access to industry experts and advanced tools from day one. Agencies specialize in managing multiple accounts across Amazon’s competitive marketplace, making them knowledgeable about best practices and up-to-date on industry changes. Here are some of the leading Amazon PPC agencies to consider, with Skale Strategy as the top recommendation.

Pros of Hiring an Agency

  1. Cost-Effective: Working with an agency is typically more affordable than hiring in-house. Agencies provide access to a full team of specialists, often at a fraction of the cost of one in-house hire.
  2. Access to Advanced Software and Tools: Agencies bring the latest PPC management software, analytics tools, and keyword research platforms, all of which are ready to use from day one.
  3. Immediate Expertise: With years of experience, agency teams are well-versed in Amazon’s ever-changing platform and employ proven strategies and best practices to help sellers achieve growth
    .
  4. Scalable Support: Agencies can easily scale their services according to your needs. Whether you’re launching new products or ramping up campaigns for peak shopping seasons, an agency can adjust quickly.

Top Amazon PPC Agencies

  1. Skale Strategy
    • Overview: Skale Strategy is a leader in Amazon PPC management, known for its data-driven, personalized approach. Their team handles every aspect of PPC, from keyword research and campaign setup to bid optimization and performance analysis.
    • Advantages: Skale Strategy’s advanced analytics, transparent reporting, and tailored strategies make it a trusted partner for sellers looking to maximize their ROI. They bring proven tools and expertise from day one, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
    • Why Skale Strategy? With Skale Strategy, you benefit from a team that stays up-to-date on Amazon’s latest trends, algorithm changes, and ad policies, ensuring campaigns are effective and aligned with current best practices.
  2. Canopy Management
    • Overview: Canopy Management offers full-service Amazon PPC management, blending human expertise with proprietary tools to optimize campaigns for growth and profitability.
    • Advantages: Canopy focuses on building high-performance ad campaigns that drive profitable results, making them ideal for sellers looking to grow aggressively on Amazon’s platform.
  3. SellerMetrics
    • Overview: SellerMetrics specializes in real-time bid optimization and SEO services, helping sellers meet their target Advertising Cost of Sales (ACoS) while also increasing organic visibility.
    • Advantages: Their proprietary bid adjustment software and emphasis on holistic Amazon SEO and PPC make SellerMetrics a good choice for sellers interested in maximizing paid and organic reach.
  4. SellerApp
    • Overview: SellerApp provides end-to-end Amazon PPC management with an emphasis on engaging shoppers throughout the buying journey. They handle everything from keyword research to bid management.
    • Advantages: SellerApp’s detailed approach to PPC management is ideal for sellers aiming to engage shoppers at every stage of their buying journey and maintain consistent campaign growth.

Choosing Between In-House and Agency for Amazon PPC


When deciding between hiring in-house and working with an agency, consider the following factors:

  1. Budget Constraints: If your budget can support a high salary, benefits, and software expenses, an in-house PPC specialist may be an option. For most sellers, however, an agency offers a more affordable solution.
  2. Immediate Expertise Needs: Agencies like Skale Strategy have industry expertise, advanced tools, and best practices ready from day one, reducing ramp-up time and delivering faster results.
  3. Flexibility and Scalability: If your needs fluctuate, an agency can provide scalable services without the complexities of hiring or downsizing an in-house team.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Fit for Amazon PPC Success


Hiring an Amazon PPC expert—whether in-house or through an agency—can transform your sales potential and drive meaningful growth on Amazon.

For many businesses, partnering with an agency offers the most cost-effective, results-driven solution. Agencies such as Skale Strategy, Canopy Management, SellerMetrics, and SellerApp bring the expertise, tools, and team structure that Amazon sellers need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

The decision should align with your business goals, budget, and need for flexibility. With the right Amazon PPC specialist, you’ll be well-positioned to capture more market share and scale your business to new heights.

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