9 Best Fractional Marketing Services for Small Business in 2026

Small business owners face an impossible dilemma: you need expert marketing leadership to grow, but hiring a full-time CMO at $200,000+ per year isn’t realistic when you’re watching every dollar. Meanwhile, your competitors are pulling ahead, and you’re stuck choosing between expensive agencies that lock you into long contracts or piecing together freelancers who lack strategic direction.

Fractional marketing services solve this problem by providing CMO-level expertise on a part-time or project basis. You get strategic marketing leadership, proven frameworks, and hands-on execution without the full-time executive salary. The challenge? Finding a provider that actually understands your business size, delivers measurable results, and offers transparent pricing that makes sense for your budget.

We evaluated fractional marketing providers based on proven track records with small businesses, transparent pricing structures, measurable ROI frameworks, and flexibility to scale with your growth. Here are the top fractional marketing services that deliver real results for small businesses in 2026.

1. Clicks Geek

Best for: Local service businesses needing profitable lead generation and conversion-focused campaigns

Clicks Geek is a Google Premier Partner digital marketing agency specializing in PPC advertising, conversion rate optimization, and lead generation systems that turn traffic into actual revenue for local service businesses.

Where This Tool Shines

Unlike generalist marketing agencies, Clicks Geek focuses specifically on performance-driven campaigns that produce measurable ROI. Their Google Premier Partner status means they’re in the top 3% of agencies nationwide, with direct access to Google support and beta features that give clients a competitive edge.

What sets them apart is their obsession with conversion rate optimization. They don’t just drive traffic—they engineer entire lead systems that maximize the value of every dollar spent. For local businesses where every lead counts, this conversion-first approach translates directly to profitable growth.

Key Features

Google Premier Partner Status: Top-tier agency certification with advanced platform access and dedicated Google support.

Conversion Rate Optimization Expertise: Data-driven CRO methodology that improves lead quality and reduces cost per acquisition.

Quality-Focused Lead Generation: Systems designed to attract high-intent customers, not just traffic volume.

White Label Services: Agencies can partner with Clicks Geek to deliver expert PPC, Facebook ads, and SEO under their own brand.

Performance-Based Accountability: Results-focused approach with transparent reporting on revenue impact, not vanity metrics.

Best For

Local service businesses—HVAC companies, plumbers, law firms, home improvement contractors—that need marketing to deliver real customers and measurable revenue growth. Ideal for businesses spending $3,000+ monthly on advertising who want expert management without hiring an in-house team.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on advertising spend and service scope. Contact for consultation to discuss your specific needs and budget.

2. MarketerHire

Best for: Businesses needing specialized marketing talent matched within 48 hours

MarketerHire is a talent marketplace connecting businesses with pre-vetted freelance marketing experts across 50+ disciplines, from growth marketing to content strategy.

Where This Tool Shines

MarketerHire solves the “I need someone yesterday” problem that small businesses face when marketing opportunities arise or team members leave. Their 48-hour matching process means you’re not spending weeks interviewing candidates—you get qualified experts fast.

The platform’s strength is its rigorous vetting process. Only about 1% of applicants make it through their screening, so you’re working with proven professionals who’ve delivered results for similar businesses. This quality filter saves you from the trial-and-error of hiring unproven freelancers.

Key Features

48-Hour Expert Matching: Rapid placement with specialists who fit your specific marketing needs and industry.

Pre-Vetted Talent Pool: Top 1% of marketing professionals across 50+ specialties including PPC, SEO, content, and growth.

Flexible Engagement Terms: Hire for projects, part-time ongoing work, or full-time contracts without long-term commitments.

Dedicated Account Management: Support team helps ensure successful engagements and handles any issues that arise.

Broad Specialty Coverage: Access experts in everything from email marketing to marketing automation to brand strategy.

Best For

Small businesses needing specific marketing expertise quickly—whether filling a temporary gap, launching a new channel, or scaling existing efforts. Works well when you know what you need but lack in-house resources.

Pricing

Marketer rates vary by specialty and experience level, typically starting around $100-200 per hour. Platform fee is included in quoted rates.

3. Chief Outsiders

Best for: Mid-market companies needing strategic CMO leadership for growth initiatives

Chief Outsiders provides fractional CMOs—experienced marketing executives who work part-time to develop growth strategies, build marketing infrastructure, and provide board-level strategic guidance.

Where This Tool Shines

Chief Outsiders brings executive-level strategic thinking to companies that have outgrown tactical marketing but can’t justify a full-time CMO salary. Their fractional CMOs are seasoned executives who’ve held VP and C-level positions at major companies.

This isn’t about executing campaigns—it’s about building the strategic foundation that drives sustainable growth. Their CMOs develop go-to-market strategies, build marketing teams, create board presentations, and provide the strategic leadership that transforms marketing from a cost center to a growth engine.

Key Features

Experienced CMO Executives: Seasoned marketing leaders with track records at major companies and proven growth expertise.

Strategic Growth Planning: Comprehensive marketing strategy development aligned with business objectives and market opportunities.

Team Building Support: Hiring, structuring, and developing internal marketing teams for sustainable capability.

Board and Investor Relations: Executive-level communication and strategic presentations for stakeholders.

National CMO Network: Access to specialists across industries and marketing disciplines for specific challenges.

Best For

Companies with $5M-$100M in revenue that need strategic marketing leadership but don’t require or can’t afford a full-time CMO. Ideal for businesses preparing for growth phases, entering new markets, or restructuring marketing operations.

Pricing

Fractional CMO engagements typically range from $10,000-$20,000 monthly for part-time strategic leadership and oversight.

4. Authentic Brand

Best for: B2B companies wanting a complete outsourced marketing department

Authentic Brand provides full fractional marketing teams—not just a CMO, but an entire marketing department including strategists, content creators, and campaign managers.

Where This Tool Shines

Authentic Brand’s full-team model solves the biggest challenge B2B companies face: you need multiple marketing roles working together, not just one person. Their integrated teams handle everything from strategy development to content creation to campaign execution.

Their B2B specialization means they understand complex sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, and the content-heavy approach B2B marketing requires. They’re particularly strong with companies that need thought leadership content, account-based marketing, and sophisticated nurture campaigns.

Key Features

Complete Marketing Team Model: Integrated team including strategists, writers, designers, and campaign managers working together.

B2B Marketing Specialization: Deep expertise in complex sales cycles, account-based marketing, and enterprise buying processes.

Strategy and Execution Integration: Seamless connection between strategic planning and tactical campaign implementation.

Marketing Technology Management: Setup, optimization, and management of your entire marketing tech stack.

Scalable Team Structures: Flexible team sizing that grows or contracts based on business needs and budget.

Best For

B2B companies with complex products or services that need comprehensive marketing support. Works particularly well for professional services firms, technology companies, and manufacturers selling to business customers.

Pricing

Monthly retainers typically start at $8,000-$15,000 depending on team size and scope of services required.

5. Fractional CMO & Marketing

Best for: Growing businesses needing both strategic direction and hands-on execution

Fractional CMO & Marketing combines strategic CMO leadership with hands-on marketing execution, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day campaign management.

Where This Tool Shines

Many fractional CMOs provide strategy but leave you to figure out execution. Fractional CMO & Marketing solves this by combining both—you get the strategic roadmap and the team to implement it. This integrated approach prevents the common problem where great strategies die in the execution phase.

They focus specifically on companies in the $1M-$50M revenue range, understanding the unique challenges of businesses that have proven their model but need marketing sophistication to scale. Their marketing audits and roadmap development give you a clear action plan, not just abstract strategy.

Key Features

Combined Strategy and Execution: Integrated approach connecting strategic planning with hands-on campaign implementation.

Growth-Stage Company Focus: Specialized expertise with businesses between $1M-$50M in revenue.

Marketing Audit and Roadmap: Comprehensive assessment of current marketing with prioritized improvement plan.

Team Training and Development: Building internal marketing capabilities alongside outsourced execution.

Performance Accountability: Results-focused engagement with clear KPIs and regular performance reporting.

Best For

Companies that have outgrown basic marketing tactics but lack the strategic framework to scale effectively. Ideal for businesses with some marketing in place that needs strategic direction and execution improvement.

Pricing

Engagement models range from $5,000-$15,000 monthly based on strategic involvement level and execution support required.

6. Hawke Media

Best for: E-commerce and DTC brands wanting flexible, à la carte marketing services

Hawke Media is a full-service marketing consultancy offering month-to-month à la carte services, particularly strong with e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands.

Where This Tool Shines

Hawke Media’s no-contract, à la carte approach gives you unprecedented flexibility. You select specific services—paid social, email marketing, SEO, creative—and scale up or down monthly based on performance and budget. This flexibility is perfect for e-commerce brands with seasonal fluctuations.

Their e-commerce specialization means they understand the unique challenges of DTC brands: customer acquisition costs, lifetime value optimization, retention strategies, and the full-funnel approach that drives profitable e-commerce growth. They’ve worked with hundreds of online retailers and bring proven playbooks.

Key Features

À La Carte Service Selection: Choose specific marketing services without bundled packages or forced commitments.

Month-to-Month Flexibility: No long-term contracts—adjust services monthly based on performance and needs.

E-commerce and DTC Expertise: Specialized knowledge of online retail, customer acquisition, and retention strategies.

Full-Funnel Marketing Capabilities: Comprehensive services from awareness to conversion to retention and loyalty.

Proprietary Marketing Technology: Custom tools and dashboards for tracking performance across channels.

Best For

E-commerce businesses and DTC brands that need professional marketing support with flexibility to scale services based on seasonal demands and performance. Works well for companies testing new channels or scaling proven ones.

Pricing

Services typically start around $4,000 per month per channel. Custom packages available based on specific service combinations and business needs.

7. Marketri

Best for: B2B professional services firms needing industry-specialized marketing expertise

Marketri is a B2B fractional marketing firm with deep specialization in professional services, financial services, and technology companies.

Where This Tool Shines

Marketri understands that professional services marketing is fundamentally different from product marketing. They excel at thought leadership development, relationship-based marketing, and the long sales cycles that characterize professional services. Their expertise in law firms, accounting firms, and consulting practices gives them unique insights.

Their account-based marketing capabilities are particularly strong. For B2B companies targeting specific high-value accounts, Marketri builds comprehensive ABM strategies that coordinate content, outreach, and nurture campaigns to win enterprise deals. They also excel at marketing automation implementation that actually works.

Key Features

Professional Services Expertise: Deep knowledge of marketing for law firms, accounting, consulting, and financial services.

Fractional CMO and Team Options: Flexible engagement from strategic CMO oversight to full marketing team support.

Account-Based Marketing: Sophisticated ABM strategies for targeting and winning high-value enterprise accounts.

Thought Leadership Development: Content marketing and positioning strategies that establish industry authority.

Marketing Automation Implementation: HubSpot, Pardot, and Marketo expertise for sophisticated nurture campaigns.

Best For

Professional services firms, financial services companies, and B2B technology businesses that need marketing expertise specific to their industry and sales model. Particularly valuable for firms targeting enterprise clients.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on engagement scope, typically ranging from $7,000-$18,000 monthly depending on team size and services.

8. yorCMO

Best for: Growth-stage companies needing outcome-focused fractional CMO leadership

yorCMO provides part-time marketing executives focused on driving measurable business outcomes through strategic planning and execution oversight.

Where This Tool Shines

yorCMO’s outcome-focused approach means they’re measured on business results, not marketing activities. Their fractional CMOs develop strategic plans tied directly to revenue goals, customer acquisition targets, and market share objectives. This results-orientation keeps marketing aligned with what actually matters to your business.

They excel at marketing team development—building internal capabilities while providing fractional leadership. Their CMOs don’t just direct your marketing; they mentor your team, establish processes, and create the infrastructure for sustainable marketing success. The KPI dashboards they implement give you clear visibility into what’s working.

Key Features

Outcome-Focused Engagements: CMO performance tied to business results and revenue impact, not just marketing metrics.

Strategic Planning and Oversight: Comprehensive marketing strategy development with hands-on execution guidance.

Marketing Team Development: Building and mentoring internal teams for long-term capability and independence.

KPI Dashboard and Reporting: Clear performance tracking aligned with business objectives and growth goals.

Flexible Time Commitments: Part-time engagements scaled to your needs, from one day weekly to several days monthly.

Best For

Growth-stage companies with existing marketing teams that need strategic leadership and accountability. Works well for businesses scaling from $5M-$50M that need CMO-level oversight without full-time cost.

Pricing

Part-time CMO engagements typically range from $6,000-$12,000 monthly based on time commitment and scope of oversight.

9. Kalungi

Best for: B2B SaaS companies scaling from startup to growth stage

Kalungi is a fractional marketing firm specializing exclusively in B2B SaaS, offering proven playbooks and full-stack marketing teams for technology companies.

Where This Tool Shines

Kalungi’s laser focus on B2B SaaS means they understand the unique challenges of subscription businesses: product-led growth, freemium models, expansion revenue, and the metrics that matter for SaaS success. Their go-to-market playbooks are specifically designed for SaaS companies at different growth stages.

Their full-stack team model provides everything a SaaS company needs: demand generation, content marketing, product marketing, marketing operations, and analytics. Their HubSpot expertise is particularly valuable for SaaS companies building sophisticated marketing automation. The performance-based pricing options align their success with yours.

Key Features

B2B SaaS Specialization: Exclusive focus on subscription software with deep understanding of SaaS metrics and growth models.

Proven Go-to-Market Playbooks: Battle-tested frameworks for SaaS companies at seed, Series A, and growth stages.

Full-Stack Marketing Teams: Complete team including demand gen, content, product marketing, and marketing ops specialists.

HubSpot Expertise: Advanced implementation and optimization of HubSpot for SaaS marketing automation.

Performance-Based Options: Pricing models that tie compensation to actual business results and growth metrics.

Best For

B2B SaaS companies from early-stage startups to growth-stage businesses that need comprehensive marketing support specifically designed for subscription software businesses. Ideal for companies raising Series A or B funding that need to scale marketing quickly.

Pricing

Full team engagements typically range from $20,000-$40,000 monthly. Performance-based pricing models available that align cost with results.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

The right fractional marketing service depends on your business type and specific needs. Local service businesses looking for profitable lead generation and conversion-focused campaigns should start with Clicks Geek—their Google Premier Partner status and CRO expertise deliver measurable ROI for businesses where every lead counts.

B2B companies need different solutions. Professional services firms benefit from Marketri’s industry expertise and thought leadership approach, while technology companies requiring comprehensive marketing departments should explore Authentic Brand’s full-team model. If you’re in B2B SaaS specifically, Kalungi’s specialized playbooks and performance-based options align perfectly with subscription business models.

E-commerce and DTC brands face unique challenges with customer acquisition costs and retention. Hawke Media’s flexible, à la carte approach with no long-term contracts gives online retailers the agility to scale services based on seasonal demands and performance.

The key is matching the provider’s expertise with your industry and growth stage. A fractional CMO firm like Chief Outsiders makes sense when you need strategic leadership but have execution resources. Conversely, if you need both strategy and hands-on implementation, providers like Fractional CMO & Marketing or yorCMO bridge that gap effectively.

Before committing, evaluate your current marketing gaps honestly. Do you lack strategic direction, tactical execution, or both? What’s your realistic budget for outsourced marketing support? Which channels matter most for your business? The answers guide you to the right provider.

Tired of spending money on marketing that doesn’t produce real revenue? We build lead systems that turn traffic into qualified leads and measurable sales growth. If you want to see what this would look like for your business, we’ll walk you through how it works and break down what’s realistic in your market.