Start Your Marketing Agency as a Proper Business
A registered company separates your personal assets from client liability, unlocks enterprise procurement, and gives you the professionalism to charge agency-level rates. Here is how to set it up.
Who this is for
- Freelance marketers ready to scale from solo consultant to an agency model
- Digital marketing, SEO, PPC, and social media teams formalising their business
- PR and communications consultancies signing retainer contracts with brands
- Creative agencies - design, video, branding - who need a company for contracts
- Performance marketing and media buying agencies who need company status for ad platform compliance
- Growth and demand generation agencies working with US or European enterprise clients
Marketing agencies have a specific set of needs: a credible legal entity for client contracts, a business bank account for retainer billing, and a structure that keeps personal liability separate from client work.
Available services
UK Ltd - European and Global Agencies
A UK Ltd is the most credible and fastest entity for European marketing agencies. 24-hour formation, globally recognised, and accepted by brands and enterprise clients worldwide.
US LLC - American Client Focus
A US LLC is the right structure for agencies billing US brands and corporates. Full Stripe access, US bank account, and a familiar entity type for American client procurement teams.
Offshore Structure for Tax Efficiency
Established agencies with consistent revenue often benefit from a BVI or Singapore holding company combined with a UK or US operating entity. We design the structure around your income.
Get startedAnnual Compliance
Confirmation statements, annual accounts, and registered office maintenance. We keep your agency entity compliant so you can focus on client work.
Get startedHow it works
Jurisdiction selection
UK Ltd for European and global agencies; US LLC for agencies billing US clients.
Company registered
UK Ltd in 24-48 hours; US LLC in 24-72 hours.
Banking setup
We guide you through opening a Wise Business or UK business account for retainer billing.
Client contract setup
We provide an agency MSA template so you can start signing clients professionally from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company to run a marketing agency?
You can operate as a sole trader, but a limited company protects your personal assets if a client claims their campaign underperformed and seeks damages. It also unlocks enterprise procurement - many brands and corporates will only engage agencies that are registered companies. Most agency founders formalise when they sign their first retainer client.
Should my marketing agency be a UK Ltd or a US LLC?
UK Ltd if most of your clients are in Europe, the UK, or you invoice in GBP or EUR. US LLC if most of your clients are in the US or you invoice in USD. If your clients span both regions, start with the jurisdiction where your largest retainer client is based. Many mid-size agencies maintain both a UK Ltd and a US LLC as they grow.
Can I hire subcontractors or employees through my agency company?
Yes. A registered company can enter into freelance subcontractor agreements and employment contracts. For hiring in multiple countries, you may need a local entity or employer of record (EOR) service. For UK employment, PAYE and National Insurance obligations apply from the first employee.
Ready to get started?
Fixed price, real-time tracking, and expert handling, from first document to final approval.
Form My Agency Company