Social and Google Ads managed together: the cost

Key takeaways

Having social and Google Ads managed together typically costs £600–£2,000 a month in the UK: two sets of 4 to 10 hours at £75–£100 an hour, often less when tracking and reporting are shared. One agency running both can move budget to whichever channel produces cheaper enquiries. Media spend is paid to each platform on top.

• Combined management: about £600–£2,000 a month.
• Shared tracking and reports cut hours.
• Budget can move to the cheaper channel.
• Media spend is paid to each platform.

Why manage social and Google Ads together?

Google Ads catches people already searching for what you sell; social ads create demand among people who are not searching yet. Managed together, one agency sees the whole picture: which channel brings cheaper enquiries, how social ads lift branded searches and where to shift budget each month.

• Social media agency pricing in the UK
• Social media or Google Ads: where should budget go?

How much does combined management cost?

Each channel typically needs 4 to 10 hours a month, so £300–£1,000 each at agency rates. Together that is £600–£2,000, with shared tracking set-up and one report often saving a couple of hours. Set-up for both may cost an indicative £600–£2,000 once.

• Paid social: £300–£1,000 a month.
• Google Ads: similar hours, similar fee.
• Combined: £600–£2,000, less shared savings.
• Media budgets: paid separately.

• Paid social management fees in the UK explained

What do you gain from one agency?

One tracking set-up, one report and one person accountable for cost per enquiry across both. Budget moves are faster when the same team runs both accounts. You also avoid two agencies each claiming credit for the same sale.

When are two specialists better?

At high spend in competitive search markets, a search specialist may find savings worth its own fee. If your Google Ads spend dwarfs social, prioritise search expertise. For most SMEs with modest budgets, one competent agency for both is simpler.

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see: two agencies each report strong results, but total enquiries do not add up. Running both channels through one tracking set-up usually reveals the overlap and where budget is wasted.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

Combined ads checklist

• Use one tracking set-up for both channels.
• Report cost per enquiry by channel.
• Review budget split monthly.
• Keep both ad accounts in your name.
• Compare with specialist quotes at high spend.

• Social media and email marketing together: bundle costs
• Social media and SEO in one package: what it costs

Next step

Work out last month's cost per enquiry from each channel. That tells you where the next pound should go.