Don’t Get Burned: Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Amazon Agency

Looking for the best Amazon agency to help grow your brand? Before you sign any contract, make sure you’re asking the right questions because hiring the wrong agency can wreck your budget, stall your growth, and leave you with nothing but regrets.

Selling on Amazon isn’t easy. Between PPC, listing optimization, inventory headaches, and account health issues, most sellers eventually realize they can’t do it all alone, so they hire an agency.

But here’s the truth: not all agencies are worth your trust or your money. Some are all talk, with no real results to back them up.

In this blog, we’ll break down the most important questions Amazon sellers should ask before hiring an agency to avoid wasting money and time. It covers topics like pricing, team structure, tools, client results, and how to spot red flags when choosing the right Amazon agency.

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The Challenge of Finding the Best Amazon Agency

If you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while, you’ve probably noticed how many agencies are popping up offering to “scale your brand” or “10x your sales”. With so many promising the same results, it can be hard to figure out which ones actually know what they’re doing and which ones are just good at talking.

The problem is, choosing the wrong agency doesn’t just set you back, it costs you real time, money, and missed opportunities. You might spend months waiting on deliverables, chasing updates, or trying to fix mistakes that should’ve been avoided in the first place.

That’s why doing your homework up front is so important. Before committing to any agency, you need to understand how they work, what they specialize in, and whether they align with your goals as a seller.

15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Amazon Agency

Doing your own research on the agencies you’re considering is helpful, but nothing beats asking direct questions to really understand how they work. So here’s a list of essential questions to ask before committing to one because the right answers can save you time, money, and frustration.

1. Has the agency owner or leadership ever been an Amazon seller?

When looking for an Amazon agency to partner with, it’s important to know whether they truly understand what it’s like to be in your shoes. Agencies led by people who have actually sold on Amazon will naturally have a better grasp of the challenges, frustrations, and urgency sellers face daily.

Anyone can claim expertise, but sellers-turned-agency-leaders bring firsthand experience to the table. They don’t just know the theory, but they’ve lived the reality of suppressed listings, rising ad costs, inventory delays, and customer complaints. 

2. Have you worked with clients in a similar niche?

No client wants to be treated like a test case when they’re paying for expert help. Knowing that an agency has already worked with brands in your niche is a good sign that they have experience and proven strategies they can apply to your business.

Different product categories come with different challenges, whether it’s compliance, keyword targeting, or seasonality. If they’ve handled similar products before, they’ll likely have a clearer roadmap for getting results faster and avoiding costly mistakes.

3. What Amazon services do you offer?

This might seem like one of the most basic questions to ask, but it’s one of the most important. By asking this early on, you’ll quickly find out whether the agency can fully support you across all areas of your Amazon business.

Hiring an agency already costs money. Needing to hire a second one because the first couldn’t cover everything? Even more costly. So make sure to ask if they cover the services you prioritize, whether that’s PPC, SEO, listing optimization, account health, or creative work.

Questions to Ask to Find the Best Amazon Agency How to Know If Youre Talking to the Right Amazon Agency
How to Know if You're Talking to the Right Amazon Agency

4. Can you provide case studies to prove your results?

It’s easy for any agency to say they’ve helped sellers grow their sales or hit new milestones, but it’s another thing to actually prove it. Sure, it sounds impressive when someone claims they boosted a client’s revenue by 200%, but without real case studies, those numbers are just talk.

A credible agency should be able to show detailed examples of who they helped, what strategies were used, and the results they achieved. This helps you filter out the ones who rely on buzzwords from those who actually deliver, and gives you confidence that they can back up their promises.

5. Can you provide references or client testimonials?

There’s nothing more reassuring than hearing directly from other sellers who’ve worked with the agency. Asking for testimonials or references, especially from clients in a similar niche, helps you get a real sense of how reliable and effective they truly are.

If an agency has a solid track record, they should be more than willing to share client feedback or even connect you with current accounts they manage. If they hesitate or avoid the question, that’s a sign they might not be as proven as they claim.

6. What is your client retention rate?

A strong client retention rate says a lot about how well an agency performs and how satisfied their clients are over time. If most of their clients stick around for a year or more, that’s a good sign they’re delivering consistent results and building long-term relationships.

Make sure to ask how long their average client stays with them and why clients choose to stay. If the agency is confident in their services, they should be able to share that data and explain how they earn their clients’ continued trust.

7. What is the process you follow to deliver your services?

Any agency can say they’ll solve your issues and help you grow, but if they can’t clearly explain how they’ll do it, that’s a red flag. A reliable Amazon agency should have a clear, structured process for delivering results and not just vague promises.

They should be able to walk you through how they handle onboarding, strategy development, execution, reporting, and communication. This gives you confidence that they’re organized, accountable, and actually know what they’re doing.

8. Do you use black hat tactics or only white hat strategies?

Amazon has strict rules that every seller (and agency) needs to follow. If your agency uses black hat tactics like fake reviews, keyword stuffing, or manipulation tricks, it could put your account at serious risk, including getting suspended.

That’s why you should always ask if the agency strictly follows white hat strategies that comply with Amazon’s guidelines. Fast results aren’t worth it if they’re built on shady practices that could destroy your business overnight.

9. What Amazon tools or software do you use?

The best Amazon agencies use the best tools on the market to provide accurate data, efficient reporting, and smart strategies. Whether it’s for keyword research, PPC management, or listing optimization, the tools they use can tell you a lot about how serious they are about performance.

When an agency is open about the tools in their stack, it shows transparency and a willingness to share knowledge with clients. It also means you’re more likely to get access to real-time dashboards or reports, so you’re not left in the dark about what’s going on in your account.

10. What is your pricing structure?

Make sure you clearly understand how the agency bills for their services, whether it’s a flat monthly fee, a percentage of ad spend, or performance-based pricing. You don’t want to be caught off guard by surprise charges or hidden fees you didn’t agree to upfront.

No matter how awkward it is to talk about money, you have to be sure the fees are fully explained and you know exactly what you’re paying for. A trustworthy agency will be transparent about costs and help you determine if their services are a good long-term fit for your business.

11. How many people, and who exactly, will be working on my account?

When you hire an agency, you’re not just getting one person; you’re usually getting a team. So it’s important to ask how many people will be involved in managing your account and who those experts are, especially if you’re signing up for multiple services.

Ask to meet the actual team before you sign anything because you’ll want to know if the team assigned to you has the experience and skills to deliver what was promised. If an agency can’t clearly explain who’s working on your account, or they hand you off to a junior team with little Amazon knowledge, that’s a clear sign to pause and reassess. 

12. Do you outsource your work, or are your Amazon experts in-house?

Not all Amazon agencies operate the same way because some build in-house teams, while others outsource parts of their work to external partners. This question helps you understand who’s managing your account day-to-day and how much control the agency has over the work being done.

Agencies with in-house experts usually have tighter processes, better oversight, and a more consistent quality standard. If they outsource, that doesn’t automatically mean poor service, but it does mean you’ll want to ask more about how they manage communication, accountability, and quality control.

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13. How do you define and measure success for my account?

It’s not enough for an agency to just throw numbers at you; you need to understand what they consider “success” and if that aligns with your goals. Some sellers prioritize profit, others want lower TACoS, better rankings, or stronger brand presence, so make sure you’re on the same page.

Ask what KPIs they track and how often they report on performance. A good agency should provide clear, actionable insights (not just spreadsheets) and be willing to explain how their strategies connect back to your business goals.

14. What will you update me on, and how often will you update me?

When you work with an agency, one of the most important things is to have clear and consistent communication. You need to know how often you’ll get updates, what those updates will include, and who you’ll be hearing from.

Some agencies offer weekly check-ins, while others rely on monthly reports or dashboards. Whatever the case, make sure the cadence and level of detail match how involved you want to be; otherwise, you could find yourself guessing what’s going on with your own account.

15. How long will it take before I start seeing results?

Before committing to any agency, you should ask what kind of timeline you can realistically expect to see improvements. If they promise quick wins in just a couple of weeks, that’s a bad sign since real growth on Amazon takes time, testing, and strategy.

At the same time, if their answer sounds too long and has no clear milestones, that’s also worth questioning. A good agency will set honest expectations, explain the timeline based on your current account status, and give you a roadmap of what progress should look like along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I hire an Amazon agency to boost my sales?

Yes. If you don’t have the time, expertise, or internal team to handle growth strategies, hiring a trusted Amazon agency can help you scale faster and avoid costly mistakes.

How to choose the best Amazon agency?

Ask about their experience, services, pricing, communication style, and track record. Make sure they’ve worked with similar brands and can show proof of results.

What’s the biggest red flag when talking to an Amazon agency?

If they can’t clearly explain how they’ll help you or refuse to share case studies, client references, or who’s actually working on your account, then walk away.

Don’t Settle for Just Any Amazon Agency

Choosing the right Amazon agency can feel overwhelming, especially with how many are out there claiming they’re the best. But when you ask the right questions, you take control of the process and increase your chances of finding a partner that delivers.

The best Amazon agency should feel like an extension of your team by being transparent, experienced, and ready to help you grow. Don’t settle for vague promises or flashy pitches; dig deeper and make sure they’re truly the right fit for your business goals.

Want to work with an agency that actually knows what it’s doing? Reach out to our full-service Amazon agency and let our team of experts help you out!

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Kevin Sanderson, Digital Acquisition Manager - My Amazon Guy

Kevin Sanderson, Marketing and Partnerships Director

Hi I’m Kevin, Marketing and Partnerships Director at My Amazon Guy. We are passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow their online businesses and thrive on Amazon. Whether you’re looking to launch a new product or scale your existing business, we’re here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.

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