SmartSites vs August United

Choosing an influencer partner can feel confusing, especially when you are weighing agencies like SmartSites and August United. You want real reach, reliable reporting, and creators who actually move the needle, not just likes and views.

This breakdown is here to help you see how each agency works, where they shine, and which one feels closer to what your brand needs right now.

Why influencer marketing agency choices feel so different
What each agency is mainly known for
SmartSites for influencer and social growth
August United and its creator network
How these two agencies truly differ
Pricing approach and how work is structured
Strengths and limitations on both sides
Who each agency is best for
When a platform like Flinque makes more sense
FAQs
Conclusion: choosing what fits your brand
Disclaimer

Why influencer marketing agency choices feel so different

The primary keyword here is influencer marketing agencies, because that is what you are actually choosing between: two teams that plan, run, and track creator campaigns for brands.

On one side, you have a digital marketing agency with influencer as one piece of a larger puzzle. On the other, a shop built around creator storytelling and ambassador programs.

Both want to drive awareness and sales. The difference sits in how they blend influencers with other channels, and how hands-on they are with creators and content.

What each agency is mainly known for

Before digging into services, it helps to understand the core reputation of each company. That context makes later details much clearer.

What SmartSites tends to be known for

SmartSites is widely recognized as a full service digital marketing agency. Influencer work, when offered, usually supports a wider mix of services instead of standing alone.

Brands often go to this team for website design, search optimization, paid media, and performance campaigns that connect back to clear business goals.

What August United tends to be known for

August United is typically seen as an influencer and creator focused agency. The spotlight is on building strong creator relationships and producing campaigns that feel more like stories than ads.

Their reputation leans toward long term ambassador programs and creator communities, rather than only one off influencer drops.

SmartSites for influencer and social growth

Think of SmartSites as a digital marketing shop that can plug influencer work into a broader growth plan, instead of an influencer only partner.

Key services that often surround influencer work

For many brands, influencer projects with this type of agency sit alongside other core services, such as:

Website and landing page design for better conversion
Search engine optimization to capture demand
Google, Meta, and other paid ad campaigns
Email or lifecycle marketing to nurture traffic
Analytics support to tie traffic back to revenue

This mix can be helpful if you want creators to plug into a measured performance plan rather than live on their own island.

How campaigns are usually approached

A digital focused agency is likely to frame influencer work as another traffic and content source feeding into your funnel. The goal is not simply reach.

Instead, creators are asked to support specific actions, like visits, sign ups, or sales, and their content is often repurposed into ads or landing page assets.

You may see more emphasis on tracking links, promo codes, and attribution models that connect creator posts back to your dashboards.

Creator relationships and casting

Because influencer is one service among many, creator rosters may be more flexible and less “community” driven. Expect a search and vetting process based on data and brand fit.

That can include audience demographics, engagement quality, previous brand collaborations, and suitability for paid amplification.

SmartSites is more likely to treat creators as performance partners than as long term “faces of the brand,” though longer partnerships can still emerge.

Typical client fit for SmartSites

Brands that benefit most from this style often share similar traits, such as:

Needing a single agency for website, ads, and creator work
Wanting every channel to be measured against revenue or leads
Having clear offers, funnels, and margins for paid growth
Feeling frustrated when influencer posts do not connect to sales

If you are a performance driven marketer trying to fold creators into a tight tracking environment, that broader digital background can be useful.

August United and its creator network

Now shift to August United, where the heart of the business is influencer marketing itself rather than a long list of digital services.

Services centered around creator storytelling

August United tends to build around creator campaigns from the ground up. Typical offerings may include:

End to end influencer campaign strategy and planning
Creator scouting, vetting, and management
Content briefing, approvals, and coordination
Ambassador and advocacy programs over many months
Reporting on reach, engagement, and impact

The emphasis is more on narrative and community than on redesigning your website or running your search ads.

How campaigns feel in practice

With a creator centered shop, you can expect deeper thought around the stories influencers tell, not just the calls to action they include.

There is often more discussion of themes, brand values, and what will genuinely resonate with each creator’s audience over time.

Campaigns may include unboxing videos, vlogs, social series, or in person experiences, depending on the brand and creator mix.

Creator relationships and long term programs

August United is usually associated with ongoing creator communities and advocates, not only one off sponsored posts.

That can mean building a core group of repeat partners who show up for multiple launches, seasonal pushes, or events across the year.

This style can deepen trust with their audiences, though it also takes more time to test, learn, and refine the roster.

Typical client fit for August United

The brands that lean toward this model often care deeply about storytelling and community. Common traits can include:

Needing stronger brand sentiment and word of mouth
Wanting influencers to become ongoing brand advocates
Launching lifestyle or consumer products that live on social
Valuing creative storytelling as much as direct response

If you are willing to invest in long term creator relationships, this type of agency can be very appealing.

How these two agencies truly differ

Both partners help brands work with influencers, but their starting points, processes, and strengths are not the same. Here is how that difference usually shows up.

Starting point: performance engine vs creator studio

SmartSites comes from a performance marketing and website background. Influencer is usually one lever in a larger performance stack.

August United starts with creators and builds around them. Performance matters, but storytelling and long term relationships are the foundation.

Campaign scope and channel mix

With a full service digital team, campaigns might fold creators into search, paid social, and email sequences. Your influencer spend sits beside ad budgets.

With a creator centered partner, more energy goes into how influencers collaborate with each other, how content flows across platforms, and how their audiences interact.

Client experience and day to day work

A digital heavy agency may route you through account managers who coordinate multiple channels, including creators. Reporting often emphasizes traffic and conversion.

An influencer focused team typically immerses you in creative ideas, casting discussions, and community building. Reports highlight sentiment and engagement alongside other numbers.

*Many brands quietly worry that agencies will either chase only clicks or only “vibes.”* Understanding this split can help set realistic expectations.

Pricing approach and how work is structured

Neither of these agencies publicly sells simple, fixed packages the way software companies do. Pricing usually depends on scope, channels, and creator tiers.

How pricing often looks for SmartSites

Because SmartSites works across digital channels, influencer budgets are usually part of a wider plan. You may see costs structured as:

Monthly retainers for ongoing digital marketing
Project fees for site work or campaign builds
Influencer fees and content costs folded into campaign budgets
Management costs for planning, coordination, and reporting

Pricing is typically based on how many services you need, number of campaigns, and level of performance tracking required.

How pricing often looks for August United

For a creator focused agency, pricing is usually driven by the size of your influencer program and the depth of support you need.

Strategy and planning for launches or multi month efforts
Creator fees, usage rights, and possible travel or production
Account and campaign management time
Ongoing ambassador or community management retainers

Expect custom quotes that reflect creator tiers, content volume, platforms, and whether you are testing or scaling a program.

What mainly drives costs up or down

For both agencies, a few factors impact budget more than anything else:

Quantity and size of creators you work with
Number of platforms involved, like TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram
Content complexity, such as video series, events, or travel
Contracted usage rights for repurposing creator content
How much strategy, creative, and reporting support you want

If you keep scope narrow at first, you have more room to test what works before increasing investment.

Strengths and limitations on both sides

Every partner has trade offs. Seeing them clearly helps you set expectations and avoid surprises later.

Where SmartSites tends to be strong

Connecting influencer traffic to a measured digital funnel
Aligning creators with search, ads, and on site testing
Using creator content as assets for performance campaigns
Helping brands that need one partner for many digital needs

Potential limitations for SmartSites

Influencer may not be the central focus of the agency
Creator communities may feel more transactional than “fan club” oriented
Brands wanting highly experimental creator storytelling may crave more depth

Where August United tends to be strong

Building creator programs that feel authentic and long term
Turning influencers into real advocates and repeat partners
Crafting social stories that fit naturally into everyday feeds
Helping brands that want community and buzz, not just clicks

Potential limitations for August United

Less emphasis on full stack digital services like web development
Deep storytelling can take longer to tie directly to revenue
Best results often require longer term commitments and patience

*One of the most common concerns brands share is uncertainty about how fast influencer spend will translate into clear, defensible business outcomes.*

Who each agency is best for

Rather than asking which agency is “better,” it is usually more helpful to ask which one fits your current stage and goals.

When SmartSites is likely a better match

You want one team handling your site, ads, and influencers.
You measure success primarily in leads, trials, or purchases.
You have proven offers and need more scale, not just awareness.
You plan to reuse creator content in paid campaigns and on site.

When August United is likely a better match

You care deeply about brand love, community, and sentiment.
You want creators who stick with you over multiple launches.
Your products live naturally in social feeds and daily life.
You are comfortable investing in narrative and trust over time.

If you are still unsure, list your top three non negotiables—such as tracking detail, creative boldness, or channel coverage—and see which agency aligns more closely.

When a platform like Flinque makes more sense

Not every brand needs a full service agency. Some teams want more control, more flexibility, or smaller starting budgets for influencer work.

How a platform based option fits in

Flinque is an example of a platform that helps brands find creators, manage collaborations, and run campaigns without long term agency retainers.

Instead of outsourcing everything, your team uses the software to discover influencers, handle outreach, track campaigns, and learn what works.

When a platform can be a better fit

You already have in house marketing talent and time.
You prefer to experiment with smaller budgets before scaling.
You want to build direct relationships with creators.
You like owning your data and workflows, not handing them off.

If you are testing influencer marketing for the first time or operate in a niche where your team understands the audience deeply, a platform may offer the right balance of control and cost.

FAQs

How do I choose between a performance focused and creator focused agency?

Start with your main business goal. If you need tightly tracked revenue from multiple channels, a performance leaning partner helps. If your priority is brand story, word of mouth, and long term advocates, a creator centered agency is often a better fit.

Can I work with both types of agencies at the same time?

Yes, but it only works if roles are very clear. One option is to let the creator focused agency lead storytelling, while a performance partner repurposes content into ads and landing pages. Align KPIs and communication to avoid overlap.

How long should I commit to an influencer program?

Plan for at least three to six months to see meaningful trends, not just one off spikes. Long term ambassador programs can run a year or more, especially for lifestyle and consumer brands focused on loyalty and repeat purchases.

What should I ask before signing with an influencer agency?

Ask for examples in your category, how they pick creators, how reporting works, and what happens if a campaign underperforms. Clarify how they handle contracts, content rights, creator issues, and unexpected platform changes.

Is an influencer agency worth it for small budgets?

If your budget is very limited, agencies may struggle to cover strategy, management, and fair creator fees. In that case, a lighter consulting engagement or a discovery and management platform can be more practical to start.

Conclusion: choosing what fits your brand

You are not just choosing between two names. You are choosing a working style, a way of measuring success, and a philosophy about creators and content.

If you value one roof for web, ads, and influencers, a performance oriented team is likely more comfortable. You will have clearer funnels and unified reporting.

If you want influencer programs that feel like real communities and long term advocacy, a creator first agency often makes more sense, even if results take longer.

Budget, internal resources, and your comfort with experimentation should all influence the decision. Some brands even start with a platform, learn the ropes, then bring in an agency once they know what works.

The most important step is to be honest about your goals, your timeline, and how involved you are willing to be. From there, the right path usually becomes much clearer.

Disclaimer

All information on this page is collected from publicly available sources, third party search engines, AI powered tools and general online research. We do not claim ownership of any external data and accuracy may vary. This content is for informational purposes only.