14 Ppc Agency Success Stories [2024]
Paid search marketing is an effective way for brands to generate qualified leads and a high return on investment. So it's no surprise businesses are looking for PPC agencies to set up marketing campaigns.
PPC agencies manage internet pay-per-click advertising campaigns that include strategy, design, implementation, SEO, and analysis of ads performance.
PPC professional is a highly sought-after role. 45% of small businesses use PPC advertising. Besides, PPC is a huge business driver for 74% of brands. According to statistics, the global PPC Software market will reach a CAGR of 7.68% within a decade.
Starting a PPC advertising business can be lucrative. f you are planning to start a PPC agency, take AdWords and Bing Ads certifications, and choose a niche.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a PPC agency:
1. Rocket PPC ($480K/year)
Gabriele Contilli and his co-founder, Pasquale, started Rocket PPC with the goal of hiring experienced talent, working remotely, and serving large clients and startups. They believed that pay-per-click advertising was the best way to help businesses grow in an unpredictable market. In their first year, they exceeded their goal of reaching a break-even point of 100k by doubling that amount, and their low churn rate of only 10% allowed them to plan for a second year with a 50% increase in revenue, reaching the 30k/monthly revenue range.
How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 6
Rocket PPC is a highly-talented and experienced Pay per Click agency based in Italy that was able to exceed their initial break-even point goal of 100k in the first 12 months, resulting in a double amount of expected revenue and a second year with a +50% in revenues that drove them into the 30k/monthly revenue range, with a focus on attracting big clients, expanding their team, and maintaining high quality.
2. Digital Next ($3.48M/year)
Nathan Elly, founder of Digital Next Australia, came up with the idea for his search marketing agency after completing a year of industry experience in SEO. Through selling SEO services and witnessing the growing importance of digital marketing, he recognized the potential for SEO to become an essential part of the marketing mix. After launching the business in Australia, they have since achieved a turnover of approximately $2 million per year.
How much they make: $3.48M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 13
Nathan Elly, founder of Digital Next Australia, shares how he started a search marketing agency that now turns over approximately $2 million per year through organic growth, cold calling and effective partnerships.
So... can you actually make money with a PPC agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Digital Position™ ($4.68M/year)
Roger Parent, the founder of a digital marketing agency, came up with the idea after realizing the shortcomings of the agency he was managing at his previous job. Frustrated by their lack of transparency and slow response times, he decided to offer a better service himself. Since then, his agency has experienced significant growth, with a projected revenue of $416k in 2022 and a goal of reaching $30mm by 2029.
How much they make: $4.68M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 30
Digital Position, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Roger Parent, who was unhappy being underpaid at his job; the company is now generating over $330k/month in revenue, and aims to generate $5m in 2022, with a long-term goal of hitting $30m before Parent is 40.
4. The Creative Collective ($2.4M/year)
Yvette Adams, founder of The Creative Collective, came up with the idea to start her marketing agency out of both ambition and necessity. With a diverse background in marketing and media, she saw the potential in offering a one-stop-shop for creative services on the Sunshine Coast. She began by offering her services to people she knew and quickly gained clients and referrals, positioning her agency as a pioneer in the industry.
How much they make: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 20
The Creative Collective is a full-service marketing agency that has grown its revenue and doubled its team in the past year, with around 100 active clients and responding to an average of 160 inquiries each month.
So... can you actually make money with a PPC agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. SharpNet Solutions, Inc ($4.2M/year)
SharpNet Solutions was founded in 1998 by Christopher Sharp, a chemical engineer who wanted to secure his family's future. After self-training in website building, he realized the potential of internet marketing and launched his own company. Today, with a team of 38 talented members, SharpNet generates over $4 million in annual gross sales, offering SEO, PPC, social media management, and website design services with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
How much they make: $4.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
Current team size: 39
This case study is about Christopher Sharp, who founded digital marketing company SharpNet Solutions, which employs 38 people and has gross sales of over $4 million/year, and focuses on customer satisfaction and producing bottom-line results.
6. Base Coat Marketing ($360K/year)
Austin Houser, the founder of Base Coat Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after acquiring painting businesses as clients at his previous agency and realizing the industry lacked effective marketing solutions. By creating a niche-focused agency dedicated to the professional painting industry, Houser has been able to quickly scale his business and generate impressive results, with $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue and a 50% profit margin within just three months of launching.
How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
Current team size: 2
Austin Houser, founder of Base Coat Marketing, launched a full-service digital marketing agency catering exclusively to the professional painting industry and within three months exceeded last year's revenue under his previous agency and is generating $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue with roughly a 50% profit margin by offering simple, niche-focused packages and providing personalized, valuable interactions with customers.
So... can you actually make money with a PPC agency?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Anachak Design ($84K/year)
Vathana Nguon stumbled into starting his web design agency in 2015 with low expectations, but through face-to-face marketing and old-fashioned methods, he was able to grow his business and generate $5,000 per month. He built his expertise in WordPress development through self-teaching and extensive research, eventually launching his agency that focuses on WordPress design and development. By targeting the tourism industry and offering specialized services, he was able to stand out and become the go-to web designer for tourism businesses in Cambodia. Additionally, he utilized SEO and blogging to attract customers and achieve long-term success.
How much they make: $84K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
Current team size: 3
Learn how Vathana Nguon started a freelance web design agency in Cambodia through self-taught WordPress design, attracting clients through search engine optimization and unique selling techniques, and utilizing tools like Themeforest and MailChimp to grow a steady stream of new and returning clients.
8. Salt Water Digital ($420K/year)
Daniel Thompson, the founder of Salt Water Digital, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency while working for a research and development company in 2011. After teaching himself web development and SEO, he built an affiliate site called ExerciseFoamRollers.com. When he was laid off in 2012, he used his unemployment insurance to start his own business and eventually expanded to offer SEO, PPC, and website development services.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 6
Salt Water Digital is a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and website development, serving small businesses with revenue from $300k to $5m, having grown from $25k/month to $40k/month in the past eight months, with a goal to hit $60k/month by year end.
9. Social Reach ($78K/year)
Stephen, the founder of Micro Bikes UK, stumbled upon the idea of mini bikes when his suppliers sold a few of them alongside ride-on cars on their eBay store. After realizing their potential, he took some time away, developed a business plan centered around mini bikes, secured seed investment, and launched Micro Bikes. With a solid after-sales service and his expertise in digital marketing, Stephen was able to overtake older, handymen-run competitors and generate six-figure revenue within 18 months.
How much they make: $78K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 2
Micro Bikes UK is a successful e-commerce store specializing in kids quad bikes and dirt bikes with petrol engines, currently on track to hit six-figures in revenue with strong branding and a solid after-sales service.
10. Get X Media ($180K/year)
Corey Hayes, the founder of Get X Media, came up with the idea for his business after seeing a growing demand among his entrepreneurial friends who needed assistance with website design and business cards. Recognizing the opportunity, he expanded his services to include customized apparel printing and a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions, leading to rapid growth and revenue in the six-figure range.
How much they make: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 3
Seasoned web designer Corey Hayes started Get X Media, a marketing agency that offers website design, customized apparel printing, and comprehensive digital marketing solutions that has experienced significant growth, with a remarkable increase in traffic 13 times higher than before and approximately doubling year-over-year, achieving a retention rate of 98%, and hoping to triple growth this year.
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
