The Amazon and the eCommerce ecosystem is evolving at breakneck speed. Brands—big and small—are constantly faced with a crucial decision: should they hire an in-house Amazon Account Manager, or is partnering with an Amazon agency the smarter move?
Here’s the unfiltered truth: it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your brand’s scale, goals, and the resources you’re willing to invest.
Let’s break it down.
Hiring an In-House Account Manager vs. Partnering with an Amazon Agency
The Reality for $30M+ Brands: You Need Both. Period.
If your brand is already pulling in $30M+ in annual revenue on Amazon, the thought of relying solely on an Amazon Account Manager should make you uneasy. Even a highly experienced in-house hire—someone who’s seen it all—won’t have the broad exposure, deep category insights, and Amazon-specific connections that an agency brings to the table.
Why?
Because an individual, no matter how seasoned, can’t compete with an agency team working across 250+ brands, multiple verticals, and a full spectrum of 1P (Vendor) and 3P (Seller) operations.
That said, an internal team is still critical.
Larger brands need an in-house Amazon team to oversee logistics, stock, order management, and listing control. These are core business functions that an agency shouldn’t manage entirely. But when it comes to high-level strategy, advertising, and marketplace positioning—agencies are indispensable.
For Smaller Brands: The Agency Advantage
Smaller brands don’t have the luxury of trial and error. If you’re an emerging player looking to scale, the right full-service Amazon agency will give you the competitive edge.
Why? Because Amazon is a game of speed and precision. You need specialists who can navigate algorithm changes, optimize listings, scale ads, and implement data-backed strategies—all without the hefty cost of building an in-house team.
The right agency does this for a fraction of what you’d pay for an in-house employee. More importantly, it ensures you’re not just selling on Amazon—you’re leading your category.
Cost: What Are You Actually Paying For?
Let’s talk numbers.
A full-time Amazon Account Manager will demand a competitive salary, benefits, and ongoing training. That’s a heavy investment for brands still finding their footing.
An Amazon marketing agency, on the other hand, charges based on the value they bring—not on arbitrary revenue shares or the perceived size of your brand. A truly ROI-focused agency will cost less than a full-time hire on minimum wage, all while offering an entire team of Amazon specialists at your disposal.
Know where your money goes—break down Amazon agency costs and see how expertise outweighs overhead.
Experience: The Unbeatable Edge of an Agency
Even if you’ve been selling on Amazon for 10+ years, the insights you gain from managing a single brand pale in comparison to an agency’s breadth of experience.
Why?
Because agencies work across multiple categories, different business models (Vendor & Seller), and diverse advertising challenges—every single day. They stay ahead of platform updates, compliance shifts, and new ad formats before they even become mainstream.
If you’re serious about growth, you need that level of expertise in your corner.
Amazon Connections: The Hidden Growth Lever
Here’s where agencies offer something that an in-house hire simply can’t replicate—industry connections.
A solo Amazon Manager is unlikely to have direct relationships with:
- Amazon Transparency & Internal Teams – Crucial for brand protection and anti-counterfeiting efforts.
- Amazon US/UK/EU/UAE Agency Team – If you’re scaling into Europe or England, this is a game-changer.
- Amazon Ad Partners – Agencies get exclusive insights and early access to ad betas.
- SellerFlex & Vendor Managers – Strong relationships here can mean better terms and faster issue resolution.
When Amazon issues arise (and they always do), having the right contacts isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
The Verdict: What’s Right for Your Brand?
If you’re a large-scale brand ($30M+): You need both. Keep logistics in-house, but let an agency handle strategy, advertising, and marketplace optimization.
If you’re a smaller brand: An Amazon agency is your best bet. The right agency will position you for sustainable growth at a far lower cost than an in-house hire.
Amazon isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a high-stakes game. The brands that thrive are the ones that make smart, strategic choices—and that starts with choosing the right support system.
So, which path will you take?
SalesDuo: The Amazon Powerhouse Your Brand Needs
Amazon is a battlefield. You need more than just an agency—you need a war machine. That’s SalesDuo.
- Ex-Amazon Insiders – We’ve worked inside Amazon. We know how the machine runs.
- BI-Powered Automation – Our proprietary BI dashboard eliminates guesswork and automates daily operations.
- 250+ Brands, 70+ Categories – We don’t "manage" accounts. We scale them.
- Full-Spectrum Amazon Domination – Ads, SEO, inventory, compliance—we handle everything so you can focus on growth.
- Continuous Optimization – Set-it-and-forget-it? Not here. We tweak, test, and win—daily.
Forget half-measures. If you want real Amazon success, SalesDuo is the only name you need. Schedule your 1:1 growth call with our Amazon account managers today!
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About the Author
Meet Arjun Narayan, a Business Dynamo with two decades of conquering boardrooms and founding two companies that didn't just survive but thrived. When he's not navigating business strategies and delivery teams, you'll find him immersed in his love for cars and exploring new models, geeking out over tech trends, globe-trotting for new adventures, and occasionally pondering the mysteries of the universe over a good cup of coffee.
