Online ads agency for e-commerce brands

Canadian online store owners and direct-to-consumer brands that sell across the country or abroad.

Monthly retainers, sometimes a percentage of ad spend, plus fees for ad creative and landing page improvements.

• Analysing ad and sales data
• Managing clients and freelancers
• Writing ad copy and briefing designers

• Consider professional liability insurance and clear contracts covering fees, ad spend and who owns the ad accounts
• Check how GST/HST and any sales to clients outside Canada should be handled with an accountant
• If you hire staff rather than contractors, check provincial rules on employees, WCB/WSIB and contractor status
• Ad platform policy changes can quickly affect results, so avoid relying on a single channel
• Check privacy and CASL rules when handling customer data and email lists

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how you set up your agency, tools and any freelancers you bring in early. These figures are estimates, so check them against your own plan before committing money.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many brands you manage and your fee structure. This is an estimate before costs and tax. It assumes at least 30 hours a week of work.

Consider professional liability insurance and contracts covering fees, ad spend and who owns the ad accounts. Check with an accountant how GST/HST applies, including clients outside Canada. If you hire staff, check provincial rules on employees, WCB/WSIB and contractor status.