
How Does a Full Service Agency Actually Work?
Last update: 12 March 2025 at 09:26 am
In the age of digitalization, marketing is more complex than ever. From conceptual development to social media campaigns, to SEO optimization – there are numerous aspects that want to be considered if you want to set up and market your company successfully.
Due to the scope of the task and also in order to access the specialized knowledge of professionals, more and more companies rely on the support of professional advertising agencies.
Especially, working with a full-service agency can give your company an advantage, because first, you work with the best in the industry and also have time to take care of your personal core business.
What Does “Full Service” Mean?
They can be found under terms such as advertising agency, Internet agency, or even design agency. If these service providers offer the entire spectrum of advertising services, they are referred to as a “full-service agency” that provides a company with advertising support on a long-term basis. This task includes consulting, design, and planning services.
In addition to traditional corporate advertising or product advertising in newspapers, on billboards, or on radio and television, the service assignment usually also includes online marketing, corporate identity, corporate design, public relations, and direct mail.
The agency takes care of all aspects of online marketing, such as search engine optimization, social media marketing, e-mail marketing, or web development for online stores.
Difference From Other Agencies
In addition to the full-service agency, there are several other agencies. But what is what in the jungle of designations?
What Does a Digital Agency Do?
The digital agency, such as a marketing agency in Dubai, differs in terms of the depth of processing.. While a full-service agency is more concerned with the external appearance and the surface, a digital or IT agency takes care of the technical side. Long-term cooperation of both sides is welcome.
What Does a Creative Agency Do?
In contrast to the full-service model, the creative agency focuses on finding ideas and developing concepts that underlie the design of advertising measures. The focus on these sub-areas should lead to better results because in times when online media allow maximum performance, building, maintaining, and above all carefully developing a company or a brand are of utmost importance.
If you want to sell something, you can’t just bang on the drum with a few crass slogans – no – you have to win the trust of the buyers. To achieve this goal, you need consistent concepts.
What Does a Lead Agency Do?
The client will be pleased because now he does not have to coordinate the various advertising service providers as well, but can devote himself to the core business. He hands over the lead to an agency designated in the same way, which now takes care of the disciplines and interrelationships in marketing on his behalf.
He mediates and promotes the cooperation of the individual players and always lets the better idea win. This could then be called Full Thinking rather than Full Service. For more effective management of these services, consider partnering with an online marketing company.
How Does a Full-Service Agency Work?
Sure! Here’s the revised version incorporating the keyword “digital marketing agencies”:
Full-service agencies offer a broad range of services, where experts from all disciplines work on the same assignment. The range of services classically includes consulting, copywriting, graphic design (e.g., flyers, brochures, logo development), print processing, photography, and PR. Digital marketing agencies often collaborate with full-service agencies to provide comprehensive solutions.
In contrast to the classic advertising agency, web design, search engine optimization, SE management or even social media marketing are also part of the scope of work.
Agencies that offer full service should employ at least 15 people to cover the entire spectrum. The advantage here is that the individual teams of experts benefit from the transfer of knowledge within the company.
Actually too good to be true. Or does the principle of “can do everything, but nothing really” apply after all? The three sub-areas of advertising, web programming, and web design alone require very specialized and different expertise.
With the full-service model, there is a risk that the agency will deliver mediocrity instead of excellence in many areas. This is one of the reasons why there is a trend towards the specialized agencies described above.

How Do I Choose a Full-Service Agency?
Once you have decided to work with a full-service advertising agency, an important step has been taken. But now the search for a competent contact begins. Full-service agencies are far from exceptional, with many companies offering such a service – and as always, there are some that are better than others.
So how do you find an agency that meets your needs? We’ve summarized some criteria you should look for when making your selection. Consider looking for a reliable digital marketing agency that can cater to your specific needs.
Your Decision
Now it’s up to you to decide whether you want to go with a full-service agency or prefer specialists. There are pros and cons on both sides.
Take your time when researching and making your selection; nothing less than your brand message is at stake. Experience has shown that it is helpful to first formulate your own ideas and then have several agencies compete against each other in a bidding process. This will show you clear differences and ensure realistic prices.
Sortlist can help you choose your agency. The more details you provide about your requirements and your project, the more precise the selection of eligible agencies will be. Feel free to try it out and find your perfect partner!