Start with ownership and access
- The store, brand, listings and customer data should be registered in your name.
- You should keep the primary login and be able to see every user added.
- Access should use the marketplace’s user permissions, not shared passwords.
- You should be able to remove access at any time.
Ask how they make money
Some providers charge a flat fee, some a percentage of revenue or profit and some a mix. Ask for every fee in writing: setup, management, software, ad spend handling and any exit costs. Check whether the model rewards the provider for sales that are not profitable for you.
Look for transparent reporting
- Regular reports with sales, fees, ad spend, refunds and net profit.
- Access to the raw marketplace reports so you can check the figures.
- A named contact and a clear response time.
- A written process for who approves price changes, ad budgets and new products.
Check experience that fits your category
Ask what categories, marketplaces and account sizes they work with. Ask how they handle gated categories, compliance and account health problems. Ask for references you can contact, and treat unverifiable screenshots with caution.
Red flags
- Guaranteed profit, ROI or sales figures.
- Promises to reinstate suspended accounts or remove policy violations with certainty.
- Requests to buy accounts or listings that are not in your name.
- Pressure to sign quickly or pay large amounts upfront.
- Vague answers about who owns the inventory and the supplier relationships.
- Refusing to share how they handle reviews, returns or policy matters.
Questions to ask on a call
- Who will work on my account, and what is their experience?
- Whose name are the account, brand and customer data in?
- How are decisions made and who signs off on spend?
- What is the full fee structure and exit process?
- How do you protect the account from policy problems?
- What happens if sales fall or the account is suspended?
Run a small pilot if you can
A short, clearly scoped first project, such as an account audit or a listing refresh, lets you judge communication and quality before you commit to a long contract.
Compare providers with a scorecard
- Ownership and access: do you keep control? (score 1 to 5)
- Fees and exit terms: clear and fair? (1 to 5)
- Reporting: transparent and checkable? (1 to 5)
- Experience in your category: relevant and verifiable? (1 to 5)
- Communication: named contact and response times? (1 to 5)
- Compliance mindset: do they talk about rules, not tricks? (1 to 5)
Score every provider the same way and discuss low scores directly. A good provider will not mind the questions.
What to put in the agreement
- The scope of work and what is not included.
- Fees, billing dates and how changes are agreed.
- Who owns accounts, brand, content and data.
- Access rules and how access is removed.
- Reporting frequency and format.
- Notice period and what happens at the end.
Have a qualified adviser review the agreement if the amounts are significant.
How we work
We start with an Account Audit, work only through permissions you grant, keep everything in your name and report in plain language. We do not guarantee sales, profit or reinstatement. Book a consultation to see whether we are the right fit.
