How do you structure your support retainers?

Last Updated

October 28, 2025

Flexible Retainer Structure and Business Alignment

Support retainer structures are designed around client success and business objectives, offering flexible arrangements that align agency compensation with client outcomes and growth. Effective retainer design ensures sustainable partnerships that deliver consistent value while adapting to changing business needs.

Retainer flexibility includes fixed-fee arrangements, performance-based compensation, and hybrid models that balance predictable service delivery with results-driven incentives that support mutual success and long-term partnership development.

Fixed-Fee Retainer Models

Fixed-fee arrangements provide predictable monthly investment with comprehensive service coverage that includes website maintenance, campaign management, reporting, and strategic support within defined scope parameters.

Predictable Service Delivery

Fixed retainers include clearly defined service levels, response time commitments, and deliverable specifications that ensure consistent support while providing budget predictability for business planning purposes.

Service scope includes ongoing maintenance, performance monitoring, strategic consultation, and tactical execution that maintains marketing effectiveness while providing reliable business support and partnership stability.

Retainer Service Categories
  • Website maintenance: Technical updates, security monitoring, and performance optimisation
  • Campaign management: Ongoing advertising optimisation and performance improvement
  • Strategic consultation: Regular planning sessions and business advice
  • Performance reporting: Regular insights and recommendation delivery
  • Technical support: Troubleshooting and system maintenance

Performance-Based Compensation Models

Performance-based retainers align agency compensation with client business outcomes, including revenue growth, lead generation, and conversion improvements that create shared success incentives.

Outcome-Driven Partnership

Performance models include baseline service fees with success bonuses tied to specific business metrics that ensure agency efforts focus on delivering measurable business results rather than activity completion.

Success alignment creates partnership dynamics where agency growth depends on client success, fostering collaborative relationships that prioritise business outcomes over service delivery metrics.

Hybrid Retainer Arrangements

Blended models combine fixed-fee predictability with performance incentives, providing service stability while maintaining results focus that balances client budget requirements with outcome-driven compensation.

Hybrid arrangements include base retainer fees for core services with performance bonuses for exceptional results, creating balanced partnerships that ensure service consistency while rewarding superior performance.

Comprehensive Service Coverage

Retainer services span technical maintenance, strategic planning, campaign management, and business support that provides complete marketing infrastructure management without requiring internal expertise development.

Service comprehensiveness ensures all marketing technology, strategy, and execution needs receive professional attention while maintaining cost efficiency compared to building internal capabilities.

Scalable Partnership Growth

Retainer structures accommodate business growth through scalable service levels, expanded scope options, and flexible arrangement modifications that support client success without constraining business development.

Scalability ensures partnerships evolve with business needs while maintaining service quality and strategic alignment that supports long-term growth and competitive positioning.

Ready to explore retainer arrangements that align with your business objectives and growth plans? Our ongoing management service offers flexible retainer structures designed around your success, ensuring sustainable partnerships that deliver consistent value while adapting to your evolving business needs.

Similar FAQs

What is ongoing management, support, and reporting?
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Ongoing management, support, and reporting means we don’t just launch your marketing and leave you to it. We provide continuous support, regular performance reports, and proactive optimisation to keep your website, campaigns, and analytics in top shape. It’s about long-term partnership and growth - cheesy we know, but we want you as a successful case study on our website. Nothing wrong with that is there.

How do you keep my website secure and up to date?
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We handle all website maintenance, including security updates, backups, and performance monitoring. We proactively addresses issues before they become problems, so your site stays online at all times. Ignore the tech, we got it.

What happens during onboarding for ongoing support?
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We have a thorough onboarding process to make sure we're completely clued up about your business and sector. We ask you to complete a questionnaire and depending on the project, we'll review your current marketing, website and analytics to create a tailored plan to deliver the results you're after.

How do you communicate updates and results to clients?
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We provide regular updates via email, scheduled calls, and detailed reports. We're also available on instant chats for emergencies. We appreciate that time is precious and so will only take up your time when required so both parties can get on with what they do best!

How do you handle website maintenance and updates?
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We offer ongoing maintenance packages that cover security updates, backups, content changes, and performance monitoring. Simply put, we take away any website anxiety you may have. Your site stays secure, up to date, and running smoothly.

What is strategy and consulting in marketing?
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Strategy and consulting in marketing is about creating a clear, actionable plan to hit your goals. It involves analysing your market, competitors, and current efforts, then designing a roadmap for growth. We provide expert advice, tailored strategies, and ongoing support to help you outpace the competition.

How do you develop a marketing strategy for my business?
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We start by getting to know your business, market, and ambitions. Then, we conduct research, analyse your competitors, and identify opportunities. From there, we design a bespoke plan with clear KPIs, milestones, and a roadmap that we stick to. Our approach is focused on results.

What’s the difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing plan?
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A marketing strategy is the big-picture direction, it's your goals, your brand positioning, and your approach. A marketing plan is the tactical execution -what you’ll do, when, and how. Both are essential, and we have project managers and big picture thinkers in house to help you with both.

What’s included in a strategy and consulting engagement?
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Our engagements include audits, workshops, competitor analysis, strategy development, and ongoing consultation. We provide clear deliverables, actionable recommendations, and hands-on support to help you implement your strategy.

How do you support ongoing strategic consultation?
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We offer regular calls, fresh ideas, and honest feedback. We're not going to say yes to you because you want to hear it, we're going to give you our opinion based on experience and data.

You can reach out whenever you need advice or a sounding board. We want to be your long-term partner, helping you adapt and grow as your business evolves.

How does ClickUp improve marketing team collaboration?
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ClickUp transforms marketing team collaboration by centralizing all project communication, task management, and file sharing in one platform, eliminating the chaos of scattered tools and email chains.

Key collaboration features include:

  • Real-time comments and @mentions on tasks and projects
  • Shared workspaces with customizable permissions
  • Integrated docs and wikis for campaign briefs and guidelines
  • Proofing tools for creative asset reviews and approvals
  • Time tracking for accurate project billing and resource planning
  • Custom workflows that match your team's processes

Our ongoing management service includes ClickUp setup and training to ensure your team maximizes these collaboration benefits from day one.

How does Slack improve team communication and collaboration in marketing agencies?
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Slack transforms marketing agency operations by creating organized communication channels that keep client work, internal discussions, and project updates properly structured and accessible to relevant team members.

Communication improvements include:

  • Dedicated channels for each client and project to maintain context
  • Thread-based discussions that keep conversations organized
  • File sharing and collaboration directly within conversations
  • Integration with project management and marketing tools
  • Searchable message history for quick reference and knowledge sharing
  • Video calls and screen sharing for complex discussions

Our team uses Slack to coordinate ongoing client management and ensure seamless collaboration across all strategy and execution phases.

Can ClickUp integrate with other marketing tools and platforms?
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Yes, ClickUp offers extensive integrations with marketing tools, and we have experience setting up seamless workflows that connect your entire marketing tech stack.

Popular marketing integrations we implement:

  • Google Workspace (Drive, Gmail, Calendar) for file management
  • Slack and Microsoft Teams for communication
  • Hubspot and Salesforce for CRM synchronization
  • Google Analytics and reporting tools for performance tracking
  • Creative tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite
  • Time tracking and invoicing platforms

Our technical tracking service includes custom integrations using Zapier to connect ClickUp with any platform your team uses.

What marketing tools can Zapier connect and integrate?
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Zapier connects over 8,000 apps, including virtually every marketing tool you use, creating seamless data flow and automated workflows across your entire tech stack.

Popular marketing integrations include:

  • CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
  • Email marketing (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign)
  • Social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)
  • Project management tools (ClickUp, Asana, Trello)
  • Analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel)
  • E-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe)

We integrate these tools with our ClickUp project management and CRM management service for complete workflow automation.

What are the best Slack integrations for marketing teams?
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Slack's extensive integration ecosystem connects marketing tools and platforms directly into team communication, creating automated workflows and real-time notifications for better project visibility.

Essential marketing integrations include:

  • Google Analytics and reporting tools for performance alerts
  • Project management platforms (ClickUp, Asana) for task updates
  • CRM systems for lead notifications and client communication
  • Social media management tools for campaign monitoring
  • Email marketing platforms for campaign performance updates
  • Calendar and scheduling apps for meeting coordination

We integrate Slack with ClickUp, GA4, and other platforms using Zapier automation to create comprehensive notification systems for our technical infrastructure monitoring.

What project management methodologies does ClickUp support?
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ClickUp supports any project management approach, from Agile and Scrum to Kanban and traditional waterfall methods. We'll configure it to match your team's optimal working style.

How do you organize Slack channels for client work and project management?
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Effective Slack channel organization creates clear communication structures that separate client work, internal discussions, and project-specific conversations for maximum efficiency and professionalism.

Channel organization strategies include:

  • Client-specific channels for dedicated project communication
  • Service-based channels for specialized team coordination
  • Internal channels for strategy discussions and team updates
  • Project channels with clear naming conventions and purposes
  • Announcement channels for company-wide updates
  • Social channels for team building and culture

Our channel structure supports efficient delivery of website development, paid marketing campaigns, and all client services while maintaining clear internal communication workflows.

How can ClickUp help with client project management and reporting?
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ClickUp excels at client project management by providing transparency, automated reporting, and professional client portals that keep everyone aligned on project progress and deliverables. Guest access allows clients to view specific projects, while automated progress reports and milestone notifications keep communication flowing smoothly.

We integrate ClickUp reporting with our Looker Studio dashboards to provide comprehensive project and performance reporting for our funnel management clients.

What are Slack workflows and how do they automate marketing processes?
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Slack workflows automate repetitive tasks and standardize processes through customizable automation that triggers actions based on specific events or user inputs within Slack channels.

Marketing automation applications include:

  • Client onboarding workflows with automated task creation
  • Campaign launch checklists and approval processes
  • Performance alert systems for key metrics and KPIs
  • Meeting scheduling and follow-up automation
  • File approval and feedback collection processes
  • Status update and reporting automation

We use Slack workflows to streamline funnel management processes and ensure consistent execution across all ongoing client management activities.

How do you integrate Adobe Photoshop into modern marketing workflows?
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Integrating Photoshop into modern marketing workflows requires strategic coordination with other design tools and platforms to maximize efficiency while maintaining creative quality. The key is treating Photoshop as part of a larger creative ecosystem rather than a standalone tool.

Integration strategies include:

  • Asset creation in Photoshop with export to collaborative platforms
  • Integration with Creative Cloud for seamless file sharing
  • Workflow coordination between Photoshop and web design tools
  • Version control and approval processes for complex image work
  • Automated export and optimization for different marketing channels
  • Team collaboration through Creative Cloud Libraries and shared assets

We integrate Photoshop with Figma workflows and team communication systems to ensure complex image work enhances rather than delays our ongoing client projects.

What are ClickUp's automation capabilities for marketing workflows?
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ClickUp's automation engine streamlines repetitive marketing tasks and ensures consistent processes across all your campaigns and projects. From task creation based on templates to automated status updates and recurring activities, these automations eliminate manual work and reduce human error.

Combined with Zapier, these automations can trigger actions across your entire marketing stack, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks in your campaign execution process.

How does Slack pricing work and which plan should marketing teams choose?
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Slack offers tiered pricing based on features and team size, with plans designed to scale from small teams to large enterprises with advanced security and administration needs.

Pricing structure includes:

  • Free plan for small teams with basic messaging and limited integrations
  • Pro plan (£5.25/month per user) with unlimited message history and integrations
  • Business+ plan (£9.75/month per user) with advanced security and compliance
  • Enterprise Grid for large organizations with custom pricing
  • Annual discounts available for longer commitments
  • Additional costs for premium features and advanced analytics

Our strategy consulting includes communication tool selection and setup to ensure you get the right Slack plan for your team size and collaboration requirements.

How does ClickUp handle resource management and team capacity planning?
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ClickUp provides powerful resource management tools that help marketing teams balance workloads, prevent burnout, and ensure realistic project timelines through workload views, capacity planning, and visual workload indicators.

What are the security and compliance features of Slack for business use?
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Slack provides enterprise-grade security and compliance features that protect sensitive business communications and meet regulatory requirements for professional service organizations.

Security features include:

  • Enterprise-grade encryption for messages and file transfers
  • Single sign-on (SSO) integration with identity providers
  • Two-factor authentication and advanced access controls
  • Data loss prevention and compliance monitoring
  • Audit logs and administrative controls for team management
  • GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory compliance certifications

For our technical infrastructure and client communication, we configure Slack with appropriate security settings to ensure all business communications remain protected and compliant.

Can ClickUp replace multiple marketing tools and reduce software costs?
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ClickUp can consolidate many marketing tools into one platform, potentially reducing software costs and complexity. It can replace basic project management tools, simple time tracking applications, and basic CRM systems for small teams.

However, specialized tools often provide deeper functionality. Our technical tracking service includes tool stack audits to determine the optimal balance between consolidation and specialized functionality for your specific needs.

How do you integrate Cursor with project management and development workflows?
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Cursor integrates seamlessly with existing development workflows and project management tools, enhancing rather than disrupting established processes.

Integration capabilities include:

  • Git version control with intelligent commit message generation
  • GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket integration for collaborative development
  • Docker and containerization support for consistent environments
  • CI/CD pipeline integration for automated testing and deployment
  • Project management tool connections via APIs and webhooks
  • Team collaboration features for shared AI assistance

We connect Cursor with ClickUp for project tracking and use Zapier automation to create development workflows that automatically update project status as code is written and deployed.

How do you use Slack for remote team management and client communication?
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Slack enables effective remote team management through structured communication, transparent project visibility, and professional client interaction capabilities that maintain strong working relationships.

Remote management strategies include:

  • Daily standup channels for team alignment and progress updates
  • Client-facing channels for transparent project communication
  • Time zone coordination tools and asynchronous communication
  • Video calls and screen sharing for complex discussions
  • File collaboration and feedback collection workflows
  • Status updates and availability indicators for team coordination

Our remote-first approach uses Slack to maintain excellent client relationships while delivering website development and content marketing services with full transparency and communication.

What are the limitations of ClickUp for marketing agencies?
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While ClickUp is powerful, it has a learning curve for teams used to simpler tools and can become overwhelming with too many features enabled. The mobile app functionality also lags behind the desktop experience.

How do you integrate Figma with other marketing and development tools?
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Figma's extensive integration ecosystem connects design workflows with project management, development, and marketing tools for seamless team collaboration. We connect Figma with ClickUp and other tools using Zapier automation as part of our technical infrastructure to create efficient design-to-delivery workflows.

What are the best practices for maintaining productivity and focus in Slack?
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Effective Slack usage requires intentional communication practices, notification management, and channel organization to prevent information overload while maintaining team connectivity.

Productivity best practices include:

  • Use threads for detailed discussions to keep channels organized
  • Set notification schedules and customize alerts for important channels
  • Create clear channel purposes and communication guidelines
  • Use status updates and do-not-disturb settings for focused work time
  • Implement message formatting and emoji reactions for efficient communication
  • Regular channel audits and archiving of inactive conversations

Our team maintains high productivity standards while using Slack for all ongoing client management by implementing structured communication protocols that support both collaboration and deep work.

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