I’ve been running Hashtaggz since 2013, and “so how much do you charge?” is still the first thing most people in Marbella ask me. Usually before they’ve even told me what their business does. Which is fair, because hardly anyone here puts prices on their website.
So let’s clear this up properly. Marketing help in Marbella costs anything from a few hundred euros a month for one channel done well, to several thousand for a full service team. What you should pay depends on what you actually need, not on what an agency wants to sell you.
How much does marketing cost for a small business in Marbella?
Most small businesses on the Costa del Sol spend between €500 and €2,500 a month on outside marketing help, plus whatever they put into ad spend. That covers anything from one channel managed properly to a full mix of social media, ads and SEO.
Here’s roughly how it breaks down in the real world (these are typical of what I see quoted locally, not made-up “industry averages”):
| Service | Typical monthly cost in Marbella |
|---|---|
| Social media management (one brand) | €500 to €1,000 |
| Meta Ads management (Facebook and Instagram) | €250 to €750, plus ad spend |
| Google Ads management | €300 to €800, plus ad spend |
| SEO and website management | €350 to €1,200 |
| Google Business Profile management | €100 to €250 |
| Strategy and monthly reporting | €200 to €400 |
For context, at Hashtaggz social media management starts at €695 per brand per month, Google Business Profile management is €150, and website management (including four blog posts) is €350. I put my prices out there because I hate it when you have to book three calls just to find out if you can afford someone.
Why do agencies in Marbella charge such different prices?
Prices vary because you’re paying for very different things. A freelancer working from their kitchen table, a boutique agency and a big international agency with a glossy office in Nueva Andalucía all have different costs, and you pay for those costs.
But the bigger difference is what’s actually included. One agency’s “social media package” is 12 posts a month made from Canva templates. Another’s includes photography, Reels, community management and replying to DMs in the evening when your customers are actually messaging. Always ask for the deliverables in writing.
How much should I budget for marketing?
A sensible starting point is 5% to 10% of your revenue, or of the revenue you want to hit. If you’re new or trying to grow fast, it’s usually at the higher end. If you’re established with lots of word of mouth, you can sit lower.
But honestly, I think the percentage rule is a bit lazy. A better question is: what’s one new customer worth to you? If a new dental patient is worth €1,500 over a year, spending €300 to win them is a bargain. If a coffee is worth €3, you need a very different plan.
So work it out this way:
- Decide how many new customers or enquiries you want each month.
- Work out what each customer is worth to you over a year.
- Spend a sensible slice of that to win them, and track whether it’s working.
Do I need to budget separately for ad spend?
Yes. Ad spend (the money that goes to Meta or Google) is separate from the fee you pay someone to run the ads. This catches a lot of business owners out.
For most local businesses in Marbella, I’d suggest a minimum of €10 to €20 a day on Meta Ads, and a bit more on Google Ads if you’re in a competitive area like dentistry, aesthetics or real estate. Any less and you just don’t get enough data to know what’s working. (I’ve seen people run ads at €2 a day for months and then tell me ads don’t work. They didn’t really give them a chance.)
Does marketing cost more in Marbella than in the UK?
Agency fees in Marbella are usually a bit lower than London, but ad costs can be surprisingly similar, because you’re often competing for the same English-speaking audience as UK businesses. Wealthy UK, Scandinavian and Middle Eastern buyers are expensive to reach wherever you’re based.
What’s different here is seasonality. Summer is busy, ads get pricier in peak season, and lots of businesses go quiet from November to February. So your budget shouldn’t be the same every month. Push harder before and during your busy season, and use the quieter months to build content, fix your website and collect reviews.
What’s the cheapest way to start marketing in Marbella?
If money is tight, start with the free stuff first. A properly set up Google Business Profile, real reviews from happy customers, and a few honest posts in the local Facebook groups (the right ones, not all of them) can bring in more enquiries than a badly run ad campaign.
Then, once you’ve got some money coming in, add one paid channel and get it working properly before adding another. One channel done well beats five done badly. Every time.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a social media manager cost in Marbella?
Most charge between €500 and €1,000 a month for one brand. Cheaper options exist, but check what’s included, as many only cover posting and not replying to comments or messages.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency in Marbella?
A freelancer is often cheaper per month, but you get one person’s skills. An agency costs more but usually covers social, ads and SEO without you managing several people.
What’s a good monthly marketing budget for a new business on the Costa del Sol?
Around €1,000 to €2,000 a month including ad spend is a realistic starting point for most local service businesses. Start smaller if you need to, but don’t spread it across too many channels.
Do Marbella agencies charge IVA on marketing services?
Spanish agencies and autónomos usually add 21% IVA to their invoices, so check whether a quote includes it before comparing prices.
Should I sign a long marketing contract?
Not straight away. A three-month starting period is fair, because it gives enough time to see results without locking you in for a year.
Not sure what you should be spending?
Drop me a message on WhatsApp and tell me what your business does and what you want more of. I’ll tell you honestly what I’d spend if it were my money, even if the answer is “you don’t need us yet”.
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