The Decision Most Founders Get Wrong
When Indian founders decide to invest in Google Ads, they usually choose between an agency or a boutique consultant. Most choose the agency because it feels safer. For most SMEs and founder-led businesses, that is the wrong choice.
How Agencies Structure Google Ads Work
A typical agency model: a senior strategist closes the deal, a junior account manager (often 1–2 years experience) is assigned to your account, they use templated campaign structures, and monthly calls review dashboards rather than driving deep optimisation.
Your campaigns are managed by someone learning on your budget. Indian agencies typically charge 10–20% of ad spend as management fees. For a ₹1,00,000/month ad budget, you are paying ₹15,000–₹25,000/month to a junior account manager.
How a Consultant Structures Google Ads Work
You speak directly with the strategist — always. Campaign strategy and structural decisions are made by the same person doing the work. Reporting is transparent and in plain language. Optimisations happen based on what data shows, not a pre-scheduled checklist.
A senior Google Ads consultant in India typically charges ₹25,000–₹60,000/month in flat fees. For the same or lower cost, you get senior-level attention on your account.
ROI Comparison at ₹60,000/month Ad Spend
| Factor | Agency | Boutique Consultant |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | ₹6,000–₹12,000/month | ₹25,000–₹40,000 flat |
| Who works on account | Junior account manager | Senior consultant |
| Reporting depth | Dashboard screenshots | Written analysis + insights |
| Speed of changes | 1–3 business days | Same-day for critical items |
When an Agency Makes More Sense
Agencies work better when your ad spend exceeds ₹5,00,000/month and you need a full team managing multiple channels simultaneously with large creative production requirements.
Google Ads management at Get Catalyzed is founder-direct — the person you speak with is the person managing your campaigns. Book a free 30-minute account audit to see exactly where your budget is being wasted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Google Ads consultant better than an agency in India?
For most founders and SMEs, a senior Google Ads consultant delivers better ROI than an agency. Key reasons: direct expertise on your account, lower overhead costs, faster decisions, and full transparency. Agencies make sense at scale when multiple channels need coordination.
How much does a Google Ads consultant charge in India?
Experienced Google Ads consultants in India typically charge ₹25,000–₹80,000/month in management fees. Some charge a percentage of ad spend (10–15%). One-time account audits range from ₹10,000–₹40,000.
What should a Google Ads consultant deliver every month?
At minimum: weekly search term reviews and negative keyword updates, bid and budget adjustments, ad copy testing, landing page recommendations, and a monthly report with written commentary. Anything less is passive management.