6 Signs It’s Time to Re-Evaluate Your Digital Marketing Partner
“We’ve already got someone looking after that.” It’s one of the most common responses we hear – fair enough. If you’re paying a digital marketing partner, you’d expect that things are sorted. But just because you have a partner doesn’t mean you have the right one.
In fact, one of the biggest growth blockers we see isn’t a lack of marketing support — it’s sticking with a partner who’s no longer pulling their weight. Not sure if that’s happening to you? Here are six red flags that might be time to reassess.
You’re Not Sure What You’re Paying For
If your monthly invoice lands and you’re scratching your head wondering, “What did we actually get?” that’s a problem.
Your marketing partner should be able to clearly explain:
- What’s been done this month
- What the goals were
- What’s working
- What’s being tested or improved
Marketing shouldn’t feel like a mystery. If you’re getting fluffy reports, vague jargon or worse — radio silence — it’s time to push back or move on.
Results Are Stagnant (Or Non-Existent)
Sometimes the biggest warning sign is no sign at all.
If your leads, traffic or engagement haven’t budged in months, your current setup isn’t working — and hoping it turns around isn’t a strategy.
A good digital partner should be driving consistent growth or actively troubleshooting if something stalls. If your performance is flatlining, so is your investment.
They’re Not Proactive
Are you always the one chasing updates? Suggesting ideas? Asking about performance?
That’s not how a partnership should work.
A great agency should bring ideas to the table, alert you to market changes, and regularly recommend ways to improve results. If your partner is reactive — or worse, only surfaces around invoice time — it’s a sign they’re not invested in your success.
You’re Still Getting Cold Leads
It’s one thing to get leads. It’s another way to get the right ones.
If your inbox is full but your sales team is constantly saying “none of these are ready to buy,” you’re wasting time and money. This usually points to:
- Poor targeting
- Weak ad messaging
- No lead qualification strategy
An agency worth keeping will help you attract quality leads — not just numbers to fill out a report.
You Don’t Know What Success Looks Like
This one is surprisingly common.
If your agency hasn’t worked with you to define what success means — beyond vanity metrics like clicks and impressions — you’ll never really know if you’re on track.
Whether it’s cost-per-lead, return on ad spend or booked jobs per month, your partner should tie strategy to actual business goals. Otherwise, you’re just spinning wheels.
It Feels Like You’ve Outgrown Them
Sometimes, it’s not that your partner is bad — it’s that they’re no longer the right fit.
Maybe they helped get you off the ground, but now you’re scaling and need more advanced support. Maybe they were great at brand building, but can’t deliver performance campaigns. Or maybe you’ve evolved, and they haven’t kept up.
Whatever the case — loyalty should never come at the cost of progress.
So, What Now?
If any of the above sounds familiar, you don’t have to fire your current agency tomorrow. But it is worth asking some tough questions:
- Are they truly helping you grow?
- Are they proactive, strategic and accountable?
- Are you seeing a clear return on investment?
If the answer to most of these is “not really,” it might be time to explore other options.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve More Than “It’s okay”
In today’s market, “It okayish” isn’t going to cut it. You deserve a partner who’s hungry for your success. One who’s hands-on, results-driven and always thinking two steps ahead. Whether you’re a local tradie or a growing national brand — the right marketing partner can make all the difference. So next time someone calls and asks about your digital marketing, don’t just say, “We’ve already got someone.” Ask yourself: Are they helping us grow — or just keeping the lights on?
