# Hiring a Facebook Ads Agency: What to Expect

*2026-02-24 - 7 min read - by Nathan Denier*

Everything you need to know before hiring a Facebook Ads agency - from pricing and onboarding to creative strategy and reporting.

Facebook and Instagram Ads (now Meta Ads) are among the most powerful paid social channels. But the platform's complexity - from audience building to creative testing to attribution - means most businesses are better off partnering with a specialized agency. Here's what to expect when you do.

## What a Facebook Ads Agency Actually Does

A good [Facebook Ads agency](https://www.pickanagency.com/best-facebook-ads-agencies) handles much more than just "running ads." Their scope typically includes:

  - **Strategy** - Defining your funnel, audiences, messaging angles, and campaign structure.

  - **Creative production** - Designing ad images, writing copy, and producing video content.

  - **Campaign setup** - Building campaigns with proper targeting, placements, and conversion events.

  - **Testing** - A/B testing creatives, audiences, and landing pages to find winning combinations.

  - **Optimization** - Daily monitoring, bid adjustments, and budget reallocation based on performance.

  - **Reporting** - Weekly or monthly reports with clear metrics and insights.

## The Onboarding Process

Expect the first 2–4 weeks to be a ramp-up period. A typical onboarding looks like:

  - **Week 1** - Kickoff call, access to ad accounts, review of past performance, brand assets handoff.

  - **Week 2** - Audience research, competitive analysis, creative brief development.

  - **Week 3** - Creative production, campaign setup, pixel/CAPI verification.

  - **Week 4** - Launch initial campaigns, begin testing phase.

Don't expect strong results in the first month. The testing phase typically lasts 4–8 weeks before the agency finds winning formulas.

## Creative: The #1 Lever

With Meta's AI-driven targeting (Advantage+), creative quality is now the biggest performance lever. A great agency:

  - Produces 10–20+ new ad creatives per month

  - Tests multiple formats: static, video, carousel, UGC

  - Iterates on winners - changing hooks, CTAs, and angles

  - Understands platform-native creative (not repurposed TV ads)

If an agency only refreshes creative once a quarter, they're behind the curve.

## Pricing Models

| Model | Typical Range | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **% of ad spend** | 10–20% | Common, scales with budget |
| **Flat retainer** | $1,500–$8,000/mo | Predictable costs |
| **Performance** | CPA or ROAS-based fee | Aligns incentives, less common |
| **Hybrid** | Base + performance bonus | Best of both worlds |

Creative production may or may not be included - always clarify this upfront.

## What to Look for in Reviews

When evaluating agencies on [Pick an Agency](https://www.pickanagency.com/agencies), pay attention to:

  - **Creative quality** - Do reviewers mention strong ad design and copy?

  - **Communication** - Is the agency responsive and proactive?

  - **Results specifics** - Look for mentions of ROAS, CPA, or revenue numbers.

  - **Scaling ability** - Has the agency helped clients scale from $5K to $50K+ in monthly spend?

## Questions to Ask Before Signing

  - Do you handle creative production in-house or do I need to provide assets?

  - How do you handle iOS privacy changes and Conversions API (CAPI)?

  - What's your approach to Advantage+ Shopping campaigns?

  - How many new creatives do you test per month?

  - What does your reporting include and how often?

## Find Your Facebook Ads Agency

[Browse top Facebook Ads agencies on Pick an Agency](https://www.pickanagency.com/best-facebook-ads-agencies) - compare reviews, pricing, and creative capabilities to find the right partner.