How Much Does PPC Campaign Management Cost?

By Olivia Johnson - Trusted UK Business Expert

Last Updated 16th of April 2025

4 minute read

If you’re looking to maximise your business’s online visibility, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising can be an excellent option. But how much should you budget for PPC campaign management? We’re here to break down the costs and help you plan effectively.

The cost of PPC campaign management can vary greatly. Typically, you will pay either a flat monthly fee or a percentage of your ad spend. For smaller businesses, this can range from £200 to £1,500 a month. For larger campaigns, fees may increase depending on complexity and volume.

Understanding how much PPC campaign management costs can help you plan your digital marketing budget wisely. Let’s dive deeper into the details to give you a clear picture of all the factors involved in PPC management.

What Is PPC Campaign Management? 

PPC stands for pay-per-click. So, a PPC campaign is a type of online advertising where businesses pay a fee each time one of their ads is clicked. 

The goal of a PPC campaign is to generate leads or sales for your business. And unlike other forms of advertising, you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad. That means there’s no wasted spend – you only pay for results. 

There are two main types of PPC campaigns: 

  • Search campaigns – these are ads that appear when someone searches for keywords related to your business on a search engine like Google. 
  • Display campaigns – these are ads that appear on websites that are part of the Google Display Network 

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Monthly Management Fees for PPC Campaign Management

One of the common ways to charge for PPC campaign management is through a flat monthly fee. This method is especially popular with businesses that have a clear idea of their budget and want predictability in their pricing.

Flat Monthly Fees

  • Small Businesses: For businesses with smaller ad budgets, flat fees typically range from £200 to £1,000 per month. These fees may cover basic management, including keyword research, ad creation, and basic performance monitoring.
  • Mid-Size Businesses: For more established companies that need additional services like competitor analysis or more frequent adjustments, the fees can range from £1,000 to £3,000 per month.
  • Large Businesses: Large corporations with complex campaigns or extensive ad budgets may pay upwards of £3,000 to £10,000 per month for full-service management.

This pricing structure allows you to know exactly what you’re paying every month, making it easier to forecast and control your advertising costs. However, it’s important to understand that this may not include the ad spend, which is charged separately.

Percentage-Based Management Fees

Another common pricing model is where the PPC management agency charges a percentage of your ad spend. Typically, this is anywhere from 10% to 20%. So, if your ad budget is £5,000 a month, you would pay £500 to £1,000 for management fees.

How Does Percentage-Based Pricing Work?

This model is popular because it aligns the agency’s incentives with your business’s success. The agency gets a share of the ad spend, so they are motivated to optimise the campaign for better results. However, if your ad spend increases, so will your management costs.

  • Low Budget Campaigns: For businesses with a limited budget, this might be a less appealing option because of the relatively high percentage fees.
  • High Budget Campaigns: On the other hand, businesses with higher budgets can benefit from this model as the agency works to deliver more valuable results within the available budget.

Ppc Campaign Management Cost

Additional Costs to Consider

While the management fees are the core component of your PPC campaign management costs, other factors can also contribute to the total cost. These can include:

  • Ad spend: Your monthly budget for ads is typically separate from management fees and can range anywhere from £100 to £50,000 or more, depending on your industry and goals.
  • Setup fees: Some agencies charge a one-time setup fee for the initial creation of your campaign. This could range from £500 to £2,000, depending on the complexity of your account.
  • Landing Page Optimisation: If you need to optimise landing pages for better conversions, this might come as an additional cost.
  • Advanced Reporting & Analytics: Some agencies offer in-depth analytics reports at an additional fee.

Is PPC Campaign Management Worth the Cost?

Investing in PPC campaign management can be a smart choice if you want to drive targeted traffic quickly. However, businesses must weigh the cost against potential returns. PPC management can provide you with instant visibility, making it easier to generate leads and sales immediately.

  • Return on Investment (ROI): The primary goal of any PPC campaign is to deliver a positive return on investment (ROI). A well-managed PPC campaign can drive targeted traffic, boost conversions, and increase revenue. However, without the right strategies in place, costs can quickly spiral, leading to inefficient use of your ad budget.
  • Expertise and Time-Saving Benefits: Hiring a professional to manage your PPC campaigns ensures that you’re tapping into their expertise and saving time. Managing PPC campaigns in-house can be complex and time-consuming. With an expert, you’re more likely to avoid costly mistakes, optimise your ads for better performance, and maximise your ROI.

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How to Choose the Right PPC Campaign Manager for Your Business

Selecting the right agency or professional to manage your PPC campaign is crucial. Look for an agency with a proven track record in your industry. They should be able to show you case studies or testimonials from businesses similar to yours. It’s also essential to align expectations with your budget.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right PPC management partner:

  • Check for transparency: Make sure the agency clearly outlines the costs and services included in their management package.
  • Evaluate their experience: Look for agencies that have worked with businesses of similar size or in the same industry.
  • Ask about reporting: You should receive detailed reports on how your campaigns are performing and how they are optimised.

If you are ready to start your PPC campaign journey and want expert help with managing your costs, contact us to learn more about our services and get in touch with our experienced team today.

FAQ

How much should I spend on PPC ads?

Your ad spend should be aligned with your goals. Start with a small budget and increase it based on the results you see. A good rule of thumb is to spend at least £500 to £1,000 a month for effective results.

What’s the difference between PPC campaign management and organic SEO?

PPC is a paid advertising strategy where you bid for ad placements, while SEO focuses on optimising your website to rank organically on search engines without paying for ads.

Can PPC campaigns be managed with a low budget?

Yes, smaller businesses can run effective PPC campaigns with a limited budget by focusing on highly targeted ads and optimising campaigns for better performance.

How long does it take to see results from PPC campaigns?

Results from PPC campaigns can be seen within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the campaign’s optimisation and budget.

This blog post provides a comprehensive look at the PPC campaign management cost and how different factors influence pricing. If you need further guidance or are ready to launch a PPC campaign, don’t hesitate to get in touch.