When it comes to marketing, ecommerce brands face a tricky choice: bring it in-house or outsource to an agency?The truth is, there’s no shortage of opinions out there, and there’s merit to both sides. But the reality is, the decision isn’t always simple - and it’s never purely financial.We’ve worked alongside many Kiwi and international ecommerce brands who’ve taken both routes: building teams internally and partnering with agencies like ours. Of course, that approach doesn't work for everyone - and it's not the cheapest, either. In this blog, we’ll unpack the truth about hiring internally vs using an external partner for your ecommerce marketing. No fluff. No nonsense. Just practical advice that you can apply to your business - whether you’re already growing your internal team, thinking about switching to an agency, or searching for the ideal balance.In-House Marketing: Collaboration & Brand KnowledgeKeeping your marketing in-house definitely has its perks. Your team knows your brand inside-out. They’re immersed in your day-to-day operations, understand your products and customers deeply, and can quickly jump on new opportunities as they arise. Internal teams also benefit from quicker communication, easier access to sensitive data and analytics, and seamless alignment with your company’s unique culture and broader strategic goals.But - and this is a big one - there are some notable drawbacks. In-house teams, especially within SMBs, often risk having limited skillsets. You might have an amazing social media specialist, but they may not have the expertise for Google Ads, SEO, or advanced analytics. That means you risk gaps in your marketing strategy.Internal teams can also become siloed, unintentionally sticking to what’s familiar rather than adopting new approaches. This can hinder innovation and long-term growth. Plus, with a smaller in-house team, there’s always the risk of overstretching resources - leading to burnout, declining performanc...