Checklist: When an Amazon Agency Actually Makes Sense
Many brands eventually face the question: Do we need an agency for Amazon? Or can we handle it internally with tools, freelancers, or a motivated in-house team?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. But the following checklist gives you a solid decision-making foundation, practical, honest, and informed. As a specialized Amazon agency, we've worked with enough brands to know when external support creates real leverage and when it doesn't.
1. Do you currently have a clear PPC strategy?
Not just "campaigns are running," but a real plan:
- Which products are you actively pushing?
- Which keywords are your top performers?
- What does your budget logic look like?
- What segmentation structure are you using?
If you struggle with these questions, you're missing strategic direction. A good agency brings exactly that: clarity, control, and iteration.
2. Do you truly understand your numbers?
You know your ROAS, ACoS, and TACoS. But:
- What is your contribution margin after advertising?
- What is the maximum allowable ACoS per category or product line?
- Does your bestseller still generate profit with discount promotions?
Agencies with deep financial understanding often unlock an additional 10-30% in profitability.
3. Are your SEO opportunities being actively exploited?
Many Amazon listings are passable but not excellent. Ask yourself:
- Was your keyword research supplemented manually with tools like Helium 10?
- Are you making meaningful use of the maximum character count?
- Are there regular listing updates based on ranking data?
An agency with a conversion-SEO focus brings structure, data, and execution together.
4. Who is analyzing your market position?
Many Amazon managers lose the big picture:
- Which competitors are gaining market share?
- Which placements are they securing?
- How are your Share of Voice values changing?
Professional agencies use tools and models to show you where you stand and where you want to go.
5. Are your internal resources stuck?
Your team is fighting on other fronts: ERP, logistics, D2C store, or retail. Amazon is important, but there's never enough time.
This often leads to:
- Stagnation in campaigns
- Outdated listings
- Slow launches for new products
When growth suffers because time is scarce, an agency becomes a pragmatic lever.
6. Are you satisfied with your performance?
Simple question: Would you currently claim that your Amazon channel is running optimally?
If not, why wait?
7. Do you have someone who challenges you?
It's not just about operational execution. It's also about:
- Questioning existing setups
- Uncovering blind spots
- Strategic sparring on your overall Amazon approach
At PCOStudio, for example, we support many clients not only operationally but as strategic partners with deep understanding of D2C, branding, and retail economics.
8. Can you scale on Amazon?
- Do you know which of your products have real potential?
- Are you allocating budget precisely where margins allow it?
- Does your launch process work in new categories?
If you want to grow, you need clarity, processes, and performance know-how. That's exactly what an agency delivers when it takes its job seriously.
Check Complete?
If you hesitated or nodded at 3 or more of these points, it's worth having a conversation with an agency.
But be careful: not every agency brings the necessary depth. Many follow a cookie-cutter approach, simply plug in tools, and leave strategy out of the equation.
At PCOStudio, you get data-driven clarity, strategic direction, and performance excellence down to the detail.
Talk to us and find out if we're the right agency for you.
Questions about your Amazon strategy?
We manage brands with over €300 million+ in sales on Amazon. Let's talk.
