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The #1 question every eCommerce owner asks about growth
8:45

Every ambitious eCommerce owner, regardless of their success, often thinks about their marketing efforts from their agency and asks:

"How will you make us more money than we’re already making now?”

The solution isn’t found in simply increasing impressions or clicks. It’s not about engagement metrics, or even just getting more website traffic. 

You've likely experienced agencies that are perfectly capable of "running” campaigns. But making money from those campaigns? Achieving tangible, measurable, and additional profit? Well, that, as many eCommerce owners discover, is a whole other thing entirely. 

It's the difference between a mechanic who just changes your oil and one who can rebuild your engine for improved performance and longevity.

We've heard this question a lot, and we have a simple answer. 

Our new commission-based pay-for-performance model. What we do is extreme performance marketing. We work to get you optimal outcomes for both performance and growth. 

When your success becomes our incentive

What if your marketing agency's income was tied directly to its performance? Imagine a scenario where your marketing agency’s income was a reflection of the tangible results they delivered for your business. This isn't just a hypothetical. It's the core philosophy behind our pay-for-performance model.

We believe in operating as your true business partner, not just a service provider. This is the very foundation of our pay-for-performance model. It means our income is intrinsically linked to your success. 

We win when you win. This isn't just a catchy slogan. It's the key factor behind all our strategies, ad creative and recommendations for eCommerce clients. 

Adopting a new mindset to better serve your clients without a time-based retainer isn't about working harder. We work smarter and more strategically. Everything we do is aligned with the profitability goals set at the beginning of the campaign.

More than just running campaigns

Your digital marketing agency is more than likely getting you regular results. But are they working hard to get better results? To constantly improve and make you more money? Do they know what to do and where to look to generate more results for you?

If your agency isn't using a commission-based pay-for-performance model, you're probably missing out on online advertising opportunities and losing potential revenue. This model truly is a game-changer. 

It doesn’t mean you won’t get any results with a more traditional retainer model. It does mean, however, that other than the minimum performance payment to cover costs,  you don’t pay any more unless we get the results for you.  It forces us, and frankly, incentivises us, to go beyond mere campaign management. It demands that we hone in on exactly what you’re after and set profitability targets.

Our entire focus is on hitting those targets, using our expertise to get there. The proof of this approach isn't just anecdotal. Our campaigns consistently outperform industry averages. This is not by chance. 

The incentive model

The basis of this model is the more money you make, the more money we make too. This fundamental principle underpins a system that offers both flexibility and unparalleled transparency to you.

We've moved beyond a simple billing structure to create a true incentive model: an innovative reward system crafted to unleash maximum performance potential. And best of all? You don't pay extra just because it's an incentive model. 

The entire model is built on a fundamental and powerful aspect of human psychology.

Incentive models are not new in the broader business world. Sales teams operate on commission, consultants often have success fees and executives receive performance-based bonuses. 

However, they are remarkably new in the digital advertising agency space. It’s a payment model that encourages constant innovation and improvement. Traditional fixed-fee models cannot match this.

Transparency you can see in your bank balance

One of the most significant benefits of this incentive model is the transparency it brings to your marketing spend. You can literally see how your campaign is working based on the additional fees you’re paying your agency. 

If your agency achieves results from a Google Ad campaign, their commission payments will directly reflect that success. It’s a bonus for results, not just for effort or time logged. 

You can clearly see where your marketing budget is spent and what you are getting in return. You’ll never be left questioning invoices, wondering if you're truly getting value for money. You'll see direct results and easily see how successful your agency has been for you.

This level of transparency builds trust with your agency too. You have a clear, shared financial reality, and your bank balance becomes the ultimate, undeniable proof of performance and success.

Real skin in the game

The concept of "skin in the game" is crucial to the pay-for-performance model. It means we share the financial risk and reward. 

Unlike traditional agencies that charge a fixed fee regardless of performance, we only earn more when your campaigns succeed. This alignment eliminates the potential for misaligned priorities. Our focus shifts to your long-term profitable growth and what we can do to help you get there.

When we say we have real skin in the game, we mean it and show it through:

Intense focus on profitability: Our strategies are meticulously crafted not just for clicks or impressions, but for direct, profitable conversions. We're not just aiming for sales, we're aiming for profitable sales.

Proactive, not reactive: With our income tied to your results, we are inherently driven to be proactive. We don't wait for problems to arise or trends to be announced. We actively monitor, analyse and anticipate industry changes. 

We're constantly creating new strategies to leverage opportunities before your competitors even know they exist. This foresight and agility provide you with a winning edge every single time. 

Strategic investment and re-investment: The pay-for-performance model encourages us to invest our own time, resources and expertise in testing, experimentation and optimisation. We are motivated to explore every avenue for growth because successful outcomes directly benefit both of us.

When appropriate, a re-investment approach may work too. This is where we can and do re-invest a portion of our income from clients back into their campaigns, at no additional cost, making us true investors in our client’s outcomes. 

Long-term vision: The pay-for-performance model fosters a long-term partnership. We're not looking for short-term wins that burn through your budget. We're focused on sustainable, profitable growth that compounds over time. Your long-term success is our long-term success.

The commission-based, pay-for-performance advantage

Opting for our commission-based, pay-for-performance model means you get to work exclusively with the most experienced people in the performance and growth industry. We offer digital advertising skills that help you beat your competition and exceed your own goals.

Our team isn't just good at running campaigns. We deliver measurable success, a claim backed by our certifications as a Google Premier Partner and a Meta Business Partner.  These are not mere titles. These certifications indicate expertise in managing large advertising budgets and achieving consistent client success.

This deep expertise means you get:

Cutting-edge strategies: We are constantly ahead of the latest platform updates, algorithm changes and emerging trends. Instead of reacting to industry shifts, we put you ahead of them by anticipating future trends and embedding them in your strategy..

Optimisation mastery: Our specialists understand the nuances of audience targeting, creative testing, bid strategies and funnel optimisation at a high level. This allows for precision in spend and maximum return.

Problem-solving prowess: When challenges arise (as they inevitably do in digital advertising), our experienced team can quickly diagnose issues and implement effective solutions, minimising downtime and maximising your growth trajectory.

Data-driven decisions: Our experts are skilled in data analysis. They turn complex metrics into clear insights to help grow your revenue.

The proof of our capability is evident in our results. We recently achieved more than 20 times return on a client’s ad spend, a figure well above industry averages. This wasn't just by chance. 

Our expertise combined with the powerful alignment of the pay-for-performance model directly affected this outcome. True business transformation, the kind that fuels investment, innovation and market dominance, is built on the foundation of a powerful ROAS.

Is a commission-based, pay-for-performance model right for your eCommerce business?

If your eCommerce business earns over $20,000 a month, the pay-for-performance model is certainly an opportunity worth considering. So, if you feel you are not getting the results you want from your marketing, a commission-based pay-for-performance might be right for you.

This model is ideal for eCommerce businesses that are:

  • Growth-oriented: You have ambitious goals and a clear vision for scaling
  • Ready for a true partnership: You understand the value of an aligned incentive structure and want a team that feels like an extension of your own
  • Seeking transparency and accountability: You want clear, measurable results directly tied to your marketing investment
  • Frustrated with traditional agency models: You've experienced the pitfalls of fixed fees and misaligned incentives and are seeking a more profitable relationship

The model is structured to give you a safety net. You pay a basic fee for essential operations and only pay more if the agreed-upon key results are achieved. This means you're not committing to high, potentially wasteful, monthly retainers that may never bring in results. Instead, your additional payments are a celebration of shared success.

Try a new way of achieving results

The only thing that truly matters to you and your marketing agency is the results. We all want results that boost revenue, increase profits and help you grow your eCommerce business to new heights.

While the model may be new to Refuel, SLAM Strategy (SLAM Strategy was acquired by Refuel in June) has been helping businesses achieve these results for years. in  The proof is in the results. They speak volumes about this new model and how our campaigns consistently outperform industry averages. [eventually link to case studies]

If you’re an eCommerce business owner, serious about growing online sales and are ready for better results, then get in touch. Discover how our pay-for-performance model can work for you. Now is the time to experience real performance and growth from your advertising.  



Shaun Le Cornu

Shaun Le Cornu

Shaun has over 30 years of experience spanning traditional and online retail, advertising and eCommerce. He is the visionary founder of SLAM Strategy, a performance and growth marketing agency acquired by Refuel Creative.

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