SmartSites vs Fanbytes

Why brands weigh up these influencer partners

Brands comparing SmartSites and Fanbytes are usually trying to understand which partner will actually move the needle on social growth, sales, and awareness. You might be deciding between a broader digital marketing shop and a youth‑focused influencer specialist.

Both promise creator‑driven growth, but they show up very differently in strategy, channels, and typical clients.

What each agency is known for

The primary keyword for this page is influencer marketing agencies. That’s the core of what you are choosing between: two different service models for running creator campaigns.

Before you decide, it helps to know what each name tends to stand for in the market and how they position their strengths.

How SmartSites is generally seen

SmartSites is widely recognized as a full service digital marketing agency that also works with influencers. It blends creator activity with performance channels like search, paid social, and conversion‑focused landing pages.

Brands often look at SmartSites when they want influencers to plug into a larger marketing system, not just generate likes or one‑off buzz.

How Fanbytes is generally seen

Fanbytes, part of Brainlabs, is known for pushing youth‑focused influencer campaigns, especially on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. It built a reputation helping brands reach Gen Z with short‑form, culture‑driven content.

Instead of starting from search or email, Fanbytes usually starts with the question, “What will actually catch young people’s attention right now?”

Inside SmartSites and how it works

SmartSites sits closer to a performance marketing agency that happens to use creators, rather than a pure influencer shop. That shapes how campaigns are planned, measured, and scaled.

Services SmartSites typically offers

SmartSites tends to wrap influencer work inside broader digital services. Common offerings include:

• Search engine optimization and content production
• Pay per click campaigns on Google and Bing
• Paid social campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram
• Website design, landing pages, and conversion optimization
• Email and CRM support in some cases

Creators become one part of a cross‑channel plan, often tied tightly to measurable leads or online sales.

How SmartSites runs campaigns with creators

When SmartSites uses influencers, the focus usually leans into performance. Expect attention on tracking links, promo codes, audience targeting, and retargeting ads built from creator content.

The team will often repurpose creator videos and images as paid media, linking them to custom landing pages that match the message and offer.

Creator relationships and network style

SmartSites does not market itself as a classic talent management house. Instead, it tends to source influencers based on the brief, product, and goals for that specific brand.

You are less likely to see a closed roster and more likely to see vetting on audience fit, content style, and performance history for each campaign.

Typical SmartSites client fit

SmartSites regularly attracts brands that want creators woven into a data‑driven funnel. Typical fits include:

• Ecommerce brands needing sales, not just reach
• Service businesses that book leads online
• Local or regional brands wanting both search and social presence
• Companies that care about analytics, conversion rates, and multi‑channel tracking

SmartSites works best for marketers who are comfortable looking at dashboards and discussing performance metrics frequently.

Inside Fanbytes and how it works

Fanbytes earned its name by helping brands jump into TikTok and other youth platforms before many agencies took them seriously. Its work is built around culture, trends, and creator communities.

Services Fanbytes typically offers

Fanbytes focuses squarely on creator‑led social campaigns. Common services include:

• TikTok influencer campaigns and creative concepts
• Snapchat creator partnerships and story formats
• Instagram Reels and short‑form content programs
• Creator‑driven challenges, filters, and effects for engagement
• Influencer whitelisting and paid amplification of creator posts

The center of gravity is social storytelling that feels native to Gen Z and younger millennials.

How Fanbytes runs creator campaigns

Fanbytes usually starts with the audience, not just the product. The team looks at what is trending with specific youth segments and finds creators whose style already fits those conversations.

You can expect a strong focus on ideas that feel like entertainment first, brand messaging second, so the content does not look like standard ads.

Creator relationships and network style

Fanbytes has invested heavily in curated creator communities on youth platforms. That means quick access to micro and mid‑tier influencers who know how to speak to niche audiences.

Relationships often go beyond one‑off posts, turning into ongoing partnerships where creators help shape campaign ideas over time.

Typical Fanbytes client fit

Brands that lean toward Fanbytes usually care more about youth culture and community than classic search marketing. Common fits include:

• Entertainment brands, apps, and gaming studios
• Fashion, streetwear, and beauty brands chasing young audiences
• Music releases and live events needing buzz on TikTok
• Consumer brands launching products targeted at Gen Z

If your key question is, “How do we become part of youth culture?” Fanbytes tends to feel more natural.

How their approaches really differ

On paper, both names sit under the umbrella of influencer marketing agencies. In practice, the experience and outcomes can feel very different once you start working with them.

Performance focus versus culture focus

SmartSites usually leads from performance marketing. Influencers are another traffic and conversion source. Reporting leans into cost per acquisition, return on ad spend, and multi‑touch data.

Fanbytes usually leads from cultural impact. Success is rooted in engagement, sentiment, shareability, and whether your brand actually feels present in youth conversations.

Channel mix and creative style

SmartSites spreads efforts across search, paid social, SEO content, and sometimes email. Creators support that ecosystem with authentic content and social proof.

Fanbytes goes deep on short‑form social and creator‑led storytelling. The creative feels more like trends, challenges, and native entertainment than polished ad content.

Client journey and day to day communication

With SmartSites, you may speak frequently about site performance, keyword rankings, and funnel improvements alongside influencer output.

With Fanbytes, conversations more often revolve around platform trends, creator ideas, and how quickly campaigns can tap into new cultural moments.

Pricing style and how work is scoped

Neither agency tends to publish fixed price tables, because campaign costs depend on audience size, deliverables, and timelines. Still, the structure usually follows familiar patterns.

How SmartSites tends to charge

SmartSites usually works with a mix of management fees and media spend. For creator work, you can expect:

• Custom quotes based on campaign scope and number of influencers
• Influencer fees tied to audience size and content volume
• Ongoing retainers if influencer work is part of a larger marketing plan

Pricing is often framed in the context of overall digital growth, not just influencer spend in isolation.

How Fanbytes tends to charge

Fanbytes usually quotes per campaign or series of campaigns. You will typically see:

• Project fees that cover campaign strategy and management
• Influencer payments based on reach, engagement, and usage rights
• Optional paid amplification budgets to boost top‑performing posts

Retainers may be used for brands running ongoing creator activity across multiple launches or seasons.

What most influences overall cost

Regardless of partner, these factors usually drive your budget:

• Number and tier of creators involved, from nano to celebrity
• Content formats, from quick stories to higher production videos
• Usage rights for ads, whitelisting, or longer term content ownership
• Campaign duration and how many markets or languages are covered

*A common concern is whether fees actually map to real business results.* That is why bringing clear goals and benchmarks to early conversations matters.

Strengths and limitations to know

No agency is perfect for every brand or every situation. Understanding where each shines, and where they may be less ideal, helps set realistic expectations.

Where SmartSites tends to be strong

• Connecting influencers to a full digital growth engine
• Using creator content inside paid campaigns and landing pages
• Providing analytics that show how traffic turns into leads or sales
• Helping brands who want one partner for several channels

SmartSites is a good fit if you want creators tightly integrated with search, ads, and conversion optimization.

Where SmartSites may feel limited

• Less of a pure “culture lab” for youth‑only experiments
• May not go as deep into niche TikTok trends as a youth specialist
• Creator work might feel more performance‑driven than culturally risky

*Some marketers worry that performance‑heavy setups can dampen bold creative ideas.* Knowing your risk tolerance helps here.

Where Fanbytes tends to be strong

• Reaching Gen Z and younger millennials on their home platforms
• Turning trends and challenges into branded stories
• Activating many micro creators for big cultural reach
• Building brand legitimacy inside youth communities

Fanbytes works well if your main KPI is attention and relevance among younger audiences, rather than immediate search traffic.

Where Fanbytes may feel limited

• Less focus on long‑term SEO or owned web assets
• Campaigns can be harder to translate into search gains
• You might still need another partner for email, CRO, or deeper funnels

*A frequent concern is whether viral moments actually turn into lasting business impact.* You may need extra tracking and follow‑up channels to capture value.

Who each agency is best suited for

It often helps to think less about which name is “better” and more about which one’s natural strengths line up with your current stage and goals.

Brands that tend to fit SmartSites

• Online stores that need traffic, conversions, and ongoing optimization
• B2C services that book demos, calls, or appointments online
• Companies with existing ad spend looking to add influencer content
• Teams that want a single partner for website, search, and creator work

If your stakeholders ask about return on ad spend or cost per lead every week, the SmartSites style may feel familiar and reassuring.

Brands that tend to fit Fanbytes

• Lifestyle and entertainment brands chasing Gen Z awareness
• Apps, platforms, and games that grow through social buzz
• Consumer products trying to become “the thing” on TikTok
• Campaigns where cultural relevance and shareability matter most

If your biggest fear is “being cringe” in front of young audiences, Fanbytes’ deep focus on youth platforms can help you avoid missteps.

When a platform alternative may work better

Not every brand needs a full service agency relationship to run influencer marketing. Some teams prefer to keep more control in‑house and use software instead.

Why a platform like Flinque may be useful

Flinque is an example of a platform that lets you find creators and manage campaigns without committing to ongoing agency retainers. It is built for teams that want ownership of relationships, data, and workflow.

Instead of outsourcing strategy and execution entirely, you can:

• Search and filter influencer profiles based on your own criteria
• Handle outreach, negotiations, and briefs directly
• Track deliverables and performance inside a single workspace
• Experiment with campaigns at your own pace and budget

When a platform approach beats full service

A platform solution often makes sense if:

• You have in‑house marketers who understand social and creators
• Your budget is limited, but you want to test multiple small campaigns
• You prefer to own influencer relationships for the long term
• You want to avoid management fees tied to each campaign

If you still need heavy creative direction or lack time to manage creators, an agency may remain the better fit.

FAQs

How do I choose the right influencer partner?

Start with your main goal. If you need measurable leads and sales with influencers plugged into a wider funnel, lean toward performance‑driven partners. If your priority is youth culture and social buzz, focus on agencies that live and breathe short‑form creator content.

Can I work with both agencies at the same time?

Yes, some brands split responsibilities. One partner might handle search, web, and performance channels, while the other focuses on Gen Z social campaigns. Just be clear about roles, territory, and how you will share data and creative assets.

Do these agencies only work with big brands?

Both can work with mid‑sized businesses as well as larger companies. The key factor is usually budget and scope, not just brand fame. Be upfront about what you can invest so they can advise on realistic campaign options.

How long before I see results from influencer campaigns?

Awareness can spike quickly, especially on short‑form platforms. However, steady sales or long‑term brand shifts usually take several months of consistent activity. Combining creators with strong landing pages and follow‑up channels speeds up measurable impact.

Should I start with an agency or a self serve platform?

If you have time, skills, and a small budget, a platform lets you learn while spending less on fees. If you are short on bandwidth, or need a big launch done right the first time, a specialist agency can shorten the learning curve.

Conclusion

Your choice between these influencer partners comes down to what success looks like over the next year. Do you want a performance‑heavy setup where creators fuel search, ads, and conversions, or a culture‑first approach built on youth platforms and trends?

Clarify three things before you decide: your exact audience, how you will measure real impact, and how involved your team can be day to day. With those answers, it becomes much easier to see which partner, or platform, truly fits.

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.