37 Agency Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Interested in starting a agency business in 2024? Finding the best agency business idea may seem overwhelming.
We put together 37 of the best agency business ideas you can start today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other agency businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a travel agency
Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.
As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.
Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.
To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.
2. Start a shopify ecommerce agency
A Shopify eCommerce agency is an expert who helps retailers list their products, and target potential customers, enabling the business to achieve its eCommerce goals.
If you are a Shopify expert, you can turn your skills into income by becoming a Shopify eCommerce agency. The Ecommerce agencies offer SEO services, web development or web design, and eCommerce marketing services.
To become a Shopify Ecommerce agency, develop the necessary skills in either SEO, web design and development, or marketing. It would help if you joined an agency for an opportunity to gain the required experience. Then, define your niche, and focus on growing your clientele.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)
Velstar, a UK-based Shopify Plus partner agency, has seen impressive year-on-year revenue growth of at least 100% every year, due to their focus on building engaging and conversion-focused eCommerce websites, and highly effective growth marketing for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify, with big ambitions for 2020 including launching a local Shopify Plus meetup, an eCommerce podcast, investing in content marketing and hiring their first business development personnel.
3. Start a zapier consulting agency
People are buzzing about Zapier and its potential to be a game-changer in the Salesforce ecosystem. So you should get ahead of the curve and start your own Zapier consulting business.
The growth of the internet and technology has made new firms and industries possible. Zapier is an excellent example of how you can be an agent of change that comes with great income potential. Zapier's estimated annual revenue is currently $122.5M per year. Thousands of companies rely on Zapier today for everything from product development and IT operations to marketing, sales, and support.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $17,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Luhhu, an agency that helps businesses automate their processes using Zapier, was built as a result of the founder's accidental stumble into a freelance career as a Zapier expert, and has become profitable with low fixed running costs and around 1-3 inquiries per day coming mostly from organic search and the Zapier Experts Directory.
4. Start a content marketing agency
Content is the currency of the digital world. Today, more and more businesses need to work with writers and content marketers. If you want to get into these kinds of jobs, you should start a writers' or content marketing agency.
Worldwide content marketing industry revenue was estimated at roughly $66B in 2021. The source projected that it would increase to $76B in 2022 and that it would continue growing over the further years to reach $137B in 2026.
Content marketing will continue to grow in significance with the increased use of digital channels. Therefore, the demand for content marketers is projected to grow by 27% over the next few years.
How much you can make: $500 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
5. Start a recruiting agency
The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.
The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them and the results achieved for those clients.
As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it’s only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There’s so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.
How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.
6. Start an online advertising agency
An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.
To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.
Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.
Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.
With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.
7. Start a SEO agency
An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.
SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.
It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Rankings.io is a hyper-focused SEO agency that helps elite personal injury law firms dominate first page rankings and was ranked #858 in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for 2018, with a current revenue just under $300,000 per month, with plans for a record-breaking year.
8. Start a surprise travel agency
Are you looking for a scalable side hustle idea and one that allows you some flexibility?
A surprise travel agency is a good option that will enable you to choose a friendly niche market.
Besides, a surprise travel agency lets you gain exposure and experience while it is an opportunity with unlimited income potential.
If you love sharing travel recommendations and always find the best local spots when you visit a new city, this will be ideal for you.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week
Whisked Away Surprise Travel is a curated travel service for clients overwhelmed by the planning process, with revenue growth exponentially increasing each year since its launch in March 2017.
9. Start a PPC agency
Paid search marketing is an effective way for brands to generate qualified leads and a high return on investment. So it's no surprise businesses are looking for PPC agencies to set up marketing campaigns.
PPC agencies manage internet pay-per-click advertising campaigns that include strategy, design, implementation, SEO, and analysis of ads performance.
PPC professional is a highly sought-after role. 45% of small businesses use PPC advertising. Besides, PPC is a huge business driver for 74% of brands. According to statistics, the global PPC Software market will reach a CAGR of 7.68% within a decade.
Starting a PPC advertising business can be lucrative. f you are planning to start a PPC agency, take AdWords and Bing Ads certifications, and choose a niche.
How much you can make: $6,500 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Digital Position, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Roger Parent, who was unhappy being underpaid at his job; the company is now generating over $330k/month in revenue, and aims to generate $5m in 2022, with a long-term goal of hitting $30m before Parent is 40.
10. Start a branding agency
A branding agency helps create, develop, maintain and improve brands. The role of branding agencies is to create, plan, measure, and manage branding strategies for clients to support them in advertising and other promotions.
Business branding has always been a vital part of a business. With branding, businesses reach more customers daily and stay relevant to their existing customers. As companies compete to get more customers and remain relevant, there is a high demand for branding solutions.
Starting a branding agency can be a profitable and satisfying business venture. To start a branding agency, you must be able to weave together disparate pieces of data and information into compelling narratives so you can help a business convey its story or express its unique values and culture.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.
11. Start an amazon service agency
Amazon service agency works for sellers who lack experience and resources, helping them create, optimize, and execute product listings and storefronts to achieve their business goals and objectives.
Amazon agency can provide complete amazon management or selected services, where the agency will assist amazon sellers on a few things like amazon advertising campaigns. Therefore, the amazon service agency is similar to a digital marketing company.
Starting an amazon service agency is a massive and lucrative business opportunity. To be successful, you must put in hard work, research, dedication, and an adequate budget. By working hard and researching, you can maximize your potential to start and build a successful business.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $138,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A service agency that helps brands grow their business on Amazon saw a 300% YoY growth, averaging $25k a month in revenue and profits of approx. 30-40%, after restructuring pricing and realizing that their service was more valuable than they gave it credit.
12. Start a growth agency
A growth agency helps businesses achieve revenue growth objectives by following a core strategy that involves marketing, sales enablement, technology, and growth hacking. Unlike traditional marketing agencies, growth agencies influence more than marketing KPIs and can even influence product development and service offering.
The demand for growth agency services is high among the brand owners who understand if they stay small and stagnant, they risk losing clients.
Therefore, starting a growth agency is a fulfilling experience and an opportunity to make money. To start your own agency, focus on hiring available employees to help you in the management of various business aspects.
Some skills you may need to run a successful growth agency include editorial skills, graphics design, content creation, SEO, social media management, marketing, etc.
To ensure you run a successful agency, focus on creating a strong company culture and team bonding. Remember, clients are impatient, and so you must be ready to provide answers and services promptly.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $140,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
13. Start a social media marketing agency
Whether you want to clear your utility bills, finance your college education or save for a vacation, a social media marketing agency is one of the best ways to earn extra income. The advantage is that you do not need to commit so much time to automate using social media marketing tools. All you need to do is develop a good social media marketing strategy that will enable you to serve customers efficiently. Besides, you need to create an agency portfolio to market your services to target customers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
14. Start a podcast agency
A podcast agency builds and promotes podcasts for other businesses. The podcast agencies develop strategies for making the client's podcast a success.
If you plan to start your own podcast agency, you may offer full podcast services or identify a niche and focus on it. Options include:
- Podcast production agency - Creates audio content for podcasts
- Podcast advertising agency - Advertise on podcasts
- Podcast editing agencies - Edit podcast episodes
- Podcast marketing agencies - Build podcasts to market the business or market businesses through other podcasts.
- Podcast booking agencies - Booking podcasts guests.
- Podcast promotion agency - Promote podcasts.
Building and growing a podcast requires some level of skills and expertise that many businesses may lack. Thus, they hire a podcast agency to help in all or particular aspects of podcast building and marketing.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)
Fame's founder, Tom Hunt, shares how he started a $17k/month podcast growth service for B2B SaaS and service businesses, and provides insights on how he grew the business to $20k MRR and his plans to hit $50k MRR by the end of 2021 through prioritizing revenue and customer satisfaction.
15. Start an ecommerce marketing agency
Ecommerce agencies help online sellers achieve their eCommerce business goals through creative, technology, and marketing skills.
Hiring an eCommerce agency enables online sellers to start an eCommerce business or grow an existing one without employing full-time staff.
The eCommerce industry is often changing, and online sellers must match the current trends or risk being paced out by the competition. Balancing between production, launching creative services, and working on growing their eCommerce brands can be extremely difficult. Thus, the brands have no other option than hire eCommerce agencies.
Starting an eCommerce agency can be a profitable and fulfilling business opportunity. If you plan to state your eCommerce agency, educate yourself on the current trends and focus on building digital skills. You may focus on a particular niche or offer end-to-end services to your customers.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $8,300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.
16. Start a digital agency
A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
17. Start a staffing agency
A staffing agency acts as the intermediary between employees and employers. The staffing agencies help match qualified employees with the right employers. With many growing businesses still cautious about increasing in-house talent, starting a staffing agency could be a profitable business opportunity.
The employer contacts a staffing agency and provides a detailed job description for the role they plan to fill. The staffing agency then creates the job on their website, or they might reach the qualified staff in their database, asking them to apply for the role. Candidates apply for the position, and the staffing agency schedules interviews to vet the potential candidates. The employer will make the final hiring decision.
Staffing agencies make money by charging job candidates or employers a markup fee.
To start a staffing agency, choose the right niche, know your startup costs, and get legally covered. Ensure you have all licenses and the permits and take out insurance.
How much you can make: $5,138 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,995 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Eddie Edwards Jr, CEO of CEI Staffing, grew his business from $20,000 in revenue to over $2 million per year using great customer service to stand out from the competition.
18. Start a website building agency
Starting a website building agency is a smart career move. Why not own your time and leverage your skills? Building websites is where the money is at. You can earn 5-figures a week with just one client.
The global website building market size to grow from $7 billion in 2021 to $14.3 billion by 2026. A site-building business allows you to start your own business at home. Building websites for yourself and others is a great way to create a passive income stream that can be very rewarding to own.
How much you can make: $12,200 — $1,180,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Cantilever Web Design and Development, with clients including IBM and small businesses, reached a revenue of over $750k last year with a gross margin of 50% by prioritizing Digital Hospitality, fostering high-quality relationships, and constantly improving their process and philosophy.
19. Start an insurance agency
Are you hoping to start an agency in the service industry? How about starting your own insurance agency?
In the past decade, the insurance industry contributed more to the US GDP than banks for the first time. Insurance statistics show that the industry has been pretty good lately, and the trend is not slowing anytime soon. Factors driving growth in the insurance sector include sustained economic growth, better interest rates, and greater investment income. Besides, insurance companies adopted investments in technological and operational efficiencies during the pandemic, a move that has helped the industry thrive.
Perhaps you are an insurance agent wanting to quit a 9 to 5 job and start a new chapter of self-employment. Or maybe you are considering a career change and seeing potential in the insurance industry. Whatever the reason for wanting to start an insurance agency, it can be a great idea.
However, building an insurance agency is no small task. Ensure you have enough equity and get ready to work hard and make smart decisions.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Fabien grew FAB FRENCH INSURANCE from scratch with just $10k, achieving a turnover of over $2.5M after just six years in business, by focusing on the English-speaking community living in France and using affiliate marketing and automating the quotation process online to streamline lead generation and weed out customers who weren't willing to get into the sales funnel.
20. Start a VR based marketing agency
Are you enthusiastic about applying new and emerging technologies to improve business processes? If yes, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture by investing in VR-based marketing.
Virtual reality marketing involves brands promoting themselves and their products using virtual and augmented reality technology. VR-based marketing allows brands to craft experiences, engage consumers, and encourage conversion in exciting ways.
Given the potential VR-marketing offers businesses, its demand has multiplied over the past years. Thus, starting a VR-based marketing agency can be a fun and profitable venture.
How much you can make: $68,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ad tech agency ExperientialEtc, which offers experiential marketing strategies including holograms, 3D billboards, virtual and augmented reality, has recorded revenue of close to $1m for Indian FY 2022-23, with FY 2023-24 expected to bring in $3m, and is set to expand its delivery team to meet demand.
21. Start an entertainment booking agency
Are you passionate about the entertainment industry and interested in turning your passion into a profitable business? How about launching your own entertainment booking business?
An entertainment booking agency helps entertainers get gigs. Simply put, an entertainment booking agency works with performers and those who need entertainers. The agency socializes and builds relationships with the owners and managers of establishments featuring live acts.
If starting your entertainment booking agency, find a specialty area and build a list of entertainers you can work with. Market your business and focus on networking so you maximize market reach.
How much you can make: $2,400 — $108,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)
Entire Productions is a fast-growing event and entertainment production company with an emphasis on experience design, primarily working with corporate clients including many Fortune 500 companies in the tech and pharma industries, boasting a growth of 148% and a goal of reaching $20M annual mark.
22. Start an event management agency
The event management agency oversees all logistics leading up to and during an event, whether a conference, a wedding, or an organized gathering. The event management agency executes the event plans by managing staff, finances, and vendor relationships.
The demand for event management services will grow by 18 percent in a few years. If you love organizing parties and corporate events, an event management agency could be your best business. The event management business has huge earning potential, provides you with networking opportunities, and builds your creative skills.
To start your own event management business, gain event planning skills and experience, and determine your event planning market or the target audience. To increase business success potential, develop an expansive network and staffing resources.
How much you can make: $108,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A successful ticketing platform that grew from a side project into a business that issues over 5 million tickets annually, using a combination of cold calling, word of mouth, and partnerships to attract and retain customers while navigating the challenges of COVID-19.
23. Start an identity theft protection agency
Hackers and cybercriminals can find social security numbers, social media profiles, credit card numbers, bank account information, and more details. Identity theft is a significant problem for consumers, so the services of an identity theft protection agency are in high demand.
An identity theft protection service monitors websites and databases for signs of your personal information such as driver’s license number, medical ID, and bank account numbers.
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
24. Start a real estate marketing agency
If you're a marketing whiz, starting your own real estate marketing agency could be the perfect business idea for you. As a real estate marketing agency, you'll be responsible for creating and executing marketing campaigns for clients in the real estate industry. This could include tasks like developing marketing materials, managing social media accounts, and conducting market research.
To be successful in this business, you'll need to have strong marketing and people skills. You'll also need to be comfortable working with a variety of clients. If you have these skills, starting your own real estate marketing agency can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.
The salaries for those in the Real Estate Marketing industry are varied. The average earnings hover around ₹21lakhs, but can reach up to 50 lakh rupees depending on your qualifications and experience level.
The current trend of people searching for properties online is making the real estate marketing agency more popular than ever. In order to market a property effectively online, real estate agents need to work with a marketing agency that knows how to do just that. This trend is only expected to continue, so now is a great time to get involved in the real estate marketing business!
This is a great business idea for those with strong marketing skills. You can work with a variety of clients, which can be great for networking and building your business.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Coffee and Contracts is a digital marketing subscription service for real estate professionals that has helped over 7,000 members in just two years, with an average monthly revenue of around $165,000, and has grown at a rate of about 5% each month through organic traffic from Instagram and word of mouth.
25. Start a human resource recruitment agency
A recruitment agency is a company that finds people looking for candidates and matches them with job vacancies on behalf of the employer.
When a company enlists the services of a recruitment agency, it pays the recruiting consultancy a fee to cover the initial search for candidates. Recruitment agencies have become popular because of their potential to access the best job-seekers and because they save companies time, helping them fill positions faster.
To start a recruitment agency, choose an area of expertise, create a recruitment agency where job seekers can submit their CVs and advertise or market your services to companies.
How much you can make: $350,000/month
How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)
Virtual Latinos is a win-win-win situation platform connecting entrepreneurs and business owners with top pre-vetted talent from Latin America while helping fellow Latinos find jobs with an average salary two to four times higher than in their home countries.
26. Start a golf advertising agency
Are you a professional marketer looking for a profitable niche? How about starting your golf advertising agency?
A golf advertising agency offers its clients access to millions of golfers through integrated digital marketing expertise and a strong relationship with leading influencers. Your golf marketing agency will be responsible for creating targeted, compelling branded content to seed with relevant media outlets and maximize digital exposure for their clients.
Your target market will be golf course owners, manufacturers and retailers, and golf gear companies.
27. Start a carrying and forwarding agency
28. Start an immigration attorney agency
29. Start a horse insurance agency
30. Start a beer branding agency
31. Start a news agency
32. Start an extras only agency
33. Start a modelling agency
34. Start a nurse staffing agency
A massive healthcare worker shortage is dominating headlines. Imagine being at the forefront of a solution by launching a nurse staffing agency. In plain terms, this venture involves recruiting and supplying professional nursing personnel to healthcare institutions in need.
Your role would be the middleman facilitating the connection between establishments and skilled nurses, taking the heavy duty of recruitment off their shoulders. Think of yourself as the vital bridge that marries the demand with the right supply. It's not just about streamlining employment gaps, you'd nurture a diverse workforce where everyone thrives.
By starting this business, you have the opportunity to significantly impact the healthcare landscape, provide viable employment options for nurses, and contribute to the improvement of patient care. And while the road might initially seem challenging, remember this – a well-run nurse staffing agency stands to reap not just financial rewards, but immense community gratitude. It’s an invitation to make a difference.
35. Start a collection agency
36. Start a homeschool agency
37. Start a temporary help agency
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
