Let’s be honest : finding a solid Facebook Ads agency is like dating in your late 20s. Lots of smooth talkers, shiny case studies, and “we promise we’ll scale you to $100K/month” types. But who’s actually walking the walk?
If you’re looking to hire an agency that won’t burn your budget and your sanity, here’s your no-fluff checklist, plus red flags that most brands don’t notice until it’s too late.
✅ What to Look For: The Essential Checklist
1. Clear Track Record in Your Niche
Look for past success with your kind of product. Selling $10K SaaS is not the same as $40 skincare kits. A good agency should show relevant case studies not just pretty dashboards from random verticals.
Bonus Tip: Ask for a breakdown: CAC, AOV, ROAS, and what channels worked best.
2. Strong Creative Strategy, Not Just Media Buying
Ad fatigue is real. The right agency should not just be boosting your old creatives. They should:
- Test hooks, angles, and formats weekly.
- Work closely with creators or have an in-house team.
- Understand how to match creative style to customer awareness level.
If they talk more about CBO vs ABO than storytelling, walk away.
See also: How Active Release Techniques Work to Relieve Pain and Improve Mobility
3. Real Transparency with Reports
Ask: Will I get access to the actual ad account?
Some agencies gatekeep performance, showing only polished slides. A good partner:
- Gives you access to the ad manager.
- Shares raw numbers, not just charts.
- Helps you understand why something worked or didn’t.
Green flag: They talk to you like a partner, not a clueless client.
4. Testing Frameworks That Make Sense
“Let’s test 17 different creatives in 1 week” is not a strategy, it’s chaos. Ask about:
- How many variables they test at once.
- How they define a “winning” ad.
- How long they let ads run before judging performance.
Good agencies balance speed with structure.
5. Performance Guarantees? Tread Carefully
No agency can guarantee ROAS – unless they’re psychic. What they should guarantee is:
- Responsiveness
- Weekly insights and optimization plans
- Transparency in budget allocation
You want accountability, not overpromises.
6. Platform Mastery, Not Just Meta Buzzwords
Ask what changes they’ve made since iOS14.5. If they can’t explain how they’re handling attribution issues, first-party data, or Advantage+ campaigns… they’re behind.
Good signs:
- Using post-purchase surveys.
- Leveraging tools like Triple Whale, Northbeam, or first-party data integrations.
7. Strong Copywriting + Ad Psychology Understanding
Media buying can be taught. Ad psychology? Not so easy.
A great agency knows:
- The difference between features and benefits.
- How to build curiosity in a scroll-stopping way.
- That “Shop Now” isn’t always the best CTA.
Ask for ad examples they’ve written — and don’t settle for generic.
8. Retention & Funnel Awareness
Are they thinking beyond the click?
A great Facebook Ads agency should:
- Work with or advise your email/SMS team.
- Help diagnose landing page issues.
- Consider LTV and churn — not just initial ROAS.
If they say “our job ends at the ad click,” run.
- Red Flags to Avoid
1. They Won’t Let You Access the Ad Account
Non-negotiable. If you don’t have access to the ad account, you can’t audit anything. That’s how agencies hide underperformance.
- 2. They Talk More About Spend Than Results
“Yeah, we managed $2M in ad spend last month.” Cool, but what did it do?
- 3. Vanity Metrics Galore
High CTR, low CPC — sounds great, but did it convert? Many agencies distract you with surface metrics while deeper funnel performance suffers.
- 4. No Real Strategy — Just “Boost What’s Working”
If every solution is “put more budget behind it,” they’re not strategists — they’re button pushers.
- 5. Overuse of Buzzwords (Without Depth)
If every sentence includes “retargeting funnel,” “CBO scaling,” and “custom audiences” — but they can’t explain it simply — they’re likely bluffing.
Gut Check + Culture Fit
Beyond all the checkboxes and dashboards, ask yourself:
- Do they care about my business?
- Are they curious, proactive, and collaborative?
- Do they make things easier or more complicated?
An agency isn’t just a service — they’re an extension of your team. If you wouldn’t want to be on a 30-minute Zoom with them weekly, it’s probably a no.
Final Thoughts
Facebook ad agency aren’t magic. They’re a mix of psychology, tech, and testing. The right agency won’t promise overnight success — they’ll offer clarity, consistency, and a smart plan.
So the next time someone tells you they’ll “10x your ROAS in 30 days,” just smile and send them this checklist.
Pro tip: Before you even hire an agency, tools like QuickAds can help you get a feel for what great Facebook ad creatives look like. You can spy on your competitors, test creative hooks, and even generate video ads instantly, all before dropping thousands on retainers.
Because when you know what great looks like, it’s way easier to spot the real deal.
