How to use this calculator
Start with the one channel that fits your stage. If you need leads this month, paid ads (Google or Meta) turn on fastest; if you're building a durable, compounding asset, SEO and content are the long game. Our SEO vs paid ads guide walks through how to choose, and the paid-ads retainer guide explains the management-fee-vs-ad-spend split this calculator keeps separate.
Management fee vs ad spend — why we split them
Two separate costs go to two separate parties. The management fee is what you pay us to run the work. The ad spend is what you pay Google or Meta for the clicks, billed to a card on an account you own. We never route spend through our accounts and never mark it up — you can see every dollar in the platform yourself. Any agency that blends the two into one opaque number is hiding something.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this marketing budget calculator?
It gives a starting-from estimate built only from Apex Marketings' published management fees. Your real quote depends on your market, competition, content volume, and goals, so treat the number as a budgeting floor, not a final price. We give a fixed quote after a free 30-minute call.
Does the estimate include ad spend?
No. Management fees and ad spend are two separate costs. The calculator shows the agency management fee; if you select Google Ads or Meta Ads, it adds a field for the ad spend you pay directly to the platform from an account you own. We never run spend through our accounts or mark it up.
Do I need to enter my email to use it?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser and stores nothing. You only share contact details if you choose to request a real quote afterward.
Want a real, fixed quote for your plan?
Request a QuoteSix questions, an estimate within 24 hours, and a free 30-minute discovery call.