Marketing Agency Prices – What Does It Really Cost?
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Wondering what it costs to hire a marketing agency? Prices range from $80 to over $250 per hour, and it can be difficult to know what's reasonable.
In this article, we provide a complete overview of marketing agency prices in Norway, from small local agencies to major players. We also explain what affects prices and how to evaluate whether a quote is fair.
With concrete examples and updated figures from 2025, you'll get all the information you need to make an informed decision.
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Average hourly rates for Norwegian marketing agencies
Differences between small, medium, and large agencies
Various pricing models and when they work best
Hidden costs to watch out for
Concrete tips for price negotiation
How to assess if the price matches the quality
What Does a Marketing Agency Cost in Norway?
Marketing agency prices vary significantly in the Norwegian market. According to Sponsor Insight's annual survey from 2024, the average hourly rate is $145 USD. However, this average conceals large variations, from $80 at smaller agencies to over $250 at the largest players in Oslo.
For a typical Norwegian SMB company, monthly marketing agency costs will range between $3,000 and $6,000 for comprehensive services. This usually includes strategy work, social media, content production, and reporting.
Price variations in the Norwegian agency market
Hourly Rates by Agency Size
Agency Type
Hourly Rate (USD)
Employees
Typical Clients
Freelancers
$50-100
1 person
Startups, small businesses
Small agencies
$80-120
2-5 employees
Local businesses, SMBs
Medium agencies
$120-180
6-20 employees
Regional businesses, growth companies
Large agencies
$150-250
20+ employees
National brands, corporations
Specialist agencies
$180-300
Varies
Niche projects, expert assignments
Oslo-based agencies like Try/Apt, Making Waves, and Knowit often charge premium prices, while comparable expertise in Bergen, Trondheim, or smaller cities can cost 20-30% less. A marketing agency hourly rate in Oslo typically sits at $160, compared to $130 in other cities.
If you’re considering a digital marketing agency for your next project, our team at Mementor offers a transparent hourly rate of $139 USD. Visit our homepage to learn more about our services and approach.
Four Common Pricing Models
1. Hourly Rate Model
The traditional model where you pay for actual time spent. Digital marketing price per hour varies from $80 to $250 depending on the agency's size and expertise.
Advantages: Full transparency, flexibility, no commitment
Disadvantages: Difficult to budget, risk of overruns
Best for: Smaller projects, consulting assistance, unclear scope
2. Retainer (Fixed Monthly Fee)
Here you agree on a fixed sum each month for a defined number of hours or services. This is the most common model for ongoing collaboration.
Typical Retainer Prices:
Starter Package: $1,500-3,000/month (10-20 hours)
Growth Package: $3,000-6,000/month (20-40 hours)
Enterprise: $6,000-15,000+/month (40+ hours)
3. Project-Based Pricing
Fixed price for defined deliverables. Agency price list for typical projects:
New visual identity: $5,000-25,000
WordPress website: $3,000-15,000
Campaign (3 months): $7,500-30,000
Social media strategy: $2,500-7,500
SEO analysis: $1,500-4,000
4. Performance-Based Pricing
The agency gets paid based on achieved results, often combined with a base fee. Common for performance marketing and lead generation.
What Affects Marketing Agency Costs?
Geographic Location
Agencies in Oslo charge on average 20-30% more than the rest of the country. Sponsor Insight shows that the average hourly rate in the capital is $165, compared to $128 in other cities.
Specialization and Expertise
SEO agency prices Norway often exceed generalist agencies, with hourly rates from $150-250 for certified experts. Google Ads agency prices are in the same range, especially for Google Partners.
Agency Reputation
Established agencies that have won awards or worked with well-known brands can charge premium prices. An agency with Gullblyanten (Gold Pencil) on their CV typically charges 20-40% more than competitors.
Increased sales forecast with a marketing agency
Concrete Price Examples from the Market
Social Media Marketing Prices
Package
Price/month
Includes
Basic
$1,000-1,500
3-5 posts/week, simple management
Standard
$2,000-3,000
Daily posts, community management, reporting
Premium
$4,000-6,000
Full management, ads, influencer collaborations
Content Marketing Costs
Blog article (1,000 words): $250-500
Infographic: $300-800
Video (1-2 min): $1,000-3,000
E-book/whitepaper: $1,500-4,000
Monthly content package: $2,000-5,000
Google Ads Management
Google Ads agency pricing typically consists of setup cost plus monthly management:
Investment: $4,500/month for 6 months (total $27,000)
Services: SEO, Google Ads, social media, email marketing
Results after 6 months:
Organic traffic increased by 185%
Conversion rate from 1.2% to 2.8%
Revenue increase: $320,000
ROI: 11.8x (1,080% return)
The IRM survey from 2024 shows that Norwegian companies on average get 3.4 times back on their marketing investment when using professional agencies.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Many companies are surprised by additional costs that weren't clear in the quote. Here are the most common ones:
Meetings and workshops: $150-250/hour beyond agreed
Rush work: 50-100% markup on hourly rate
Revisions: Often only 2-3 included, then hourly rate
Travel costs: Full hourly rate + expenses
Tools and licenses: $50-500/month extra
Image rights: $50-1,000 per image
Ad budget: Comes in addition to agency fee
Small vs Large Agency Prices
Small Agencies (1-5 employees)
Small agencies often offer more personal service and lower prices. Hourly rates typically range between $80-120, and they're often more flexible with package solutions.
Advantages: Lower prices, direct contact with those doing the work, flexibility
Disadvantages: Limited capacity, fewer specialists, less experience with large projects
Large Agencies (20+ employees)
Large agencies have broader expertise and capacity for extensive projects, but also charge higher prices, typically $150-250/hour.
Advantages: Broad expertise, established processes, advanced tools, capacity
Disadvantages: High prices, less flexibility, junior consultants often do the work
Marketing Package Prices for Startups
Many agencies offer specially tailored packages for startups and the SMB segment:
Starter Package
$1,000-2,000/month
Basic social media
10 hours consulting
Monthly reporting
Email support
Growth Package
$2,500-4,000/month
Full social media management
Google Ads campaigns
SEO optimization
20 hours consulting
Scale Package
$5,000-7,500/month
Everything in Growth
Content production
Email marketing
40 hours consulting
Tips for Negotiating Better Prices
1. Get Multiple Quotes
Request at least 3-5 quotes before deciding. This gives you both negotiating leverage and better understanding of market prices.
2. Start with a Pilot Project
Test the agency with a smaller project (1-3 months) before committing to long-term collaboration. This reduces risk for both parties.
3. Negotiate Package Deals
Agencies often give 10-20% discounts if you buy multiple services together or commit to longer contracts (6-12 months).
4. Be Flexible with Timing
If the agency can work on the project during quieter periods, you can get up to 15% discount on the hourly rate.
Red Flags in Price Quotes
Watch out for these warning signs:
Extremely low prices (under $60/hour)
Guaranteed results without conditions
No references or case studies
Unclear delivery descriptions
Long commitment periods (over 12 months)
Requirements for advance payment for entire period
Questions to Ask Before Signing
What's included in the price? Ask for detailed overview of all services
Who works on the account? Junior or senior consultants?
How are results measured? Which KPIs are used?
What happens with overruns? How are you notified?
Contract period and termination? Read the contract carefully
Ownership of produced material? Who owns the rights?
Reporting routines? How often and how?
Conclusion
Marketing agency prices in Norway span from $80 to $250 per hour, with an average of $145. For most medium-sized companies, a realistic budget will be $3,000-6,000 monthly for comprehensive marketing services.
The most important thing isn't finding the cheapest agency, but the agency that provides best value for money. Consider expertise, experience, references, and chemistry along with price. A more expensive agency that delivers measurable results is better than a cheap agency that doesn't.
Consider starting with a smaller project to test the collaboration, evaluate the results, and scale up if you're satisfied. Remember that good marketing is an investment that should provide returns, not just a cost on the budget.
Thomas Alling har over 25 års erfaring fra internett- og byråbransjen og leder Mementor AS. Han er spesialist på digital markedsføring, AEO, SEO og konverteringsoptimalisering, og kjent for å kombinere strategisk innsikt med teknisk kompetanse. Thomas har utviklet strategier som gir målbare verdier for kunder over hele Norge.
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