SmartSites vs Stargazer

Why brands weigh up influencer agency options

When brands look at influencer partners like SmartSites and Stargazer, they usually want clarity on real outcomes, not buzzwords. You want to know who will actually move sales, build trust, and keep creators happy without turning every campaign into a headache.

This is where a focus on influencer marketing services becomes crucial. You’re trying to match the right partner to your goals, budget, and internal bandwidth, not just compare logos or big promises.

What each agency is known for

Both companies operate in the influencer world, but they come from slightly different angles. Understanding those roots helps you see where each shines and where you might feel friction as a client.

SmartSites at a glance

SmartSites is widely known as a digital marketing agency first. Its reputation comes from web design, paid media, and SEO, with influencer work typically folded into broader marketing programs rather than standing alone as a single focus.

For many brands, that’s attractive. You can keep influencer campaigns tied tightly to landing pages, email flows, and search efforts, rather than running them in a silo as one-off “brand awareness” bursts.

Stargazer at a glance

Stargazer, by contrast, is often positioned as more creator focused. It emphasizes creator sourcing, campaign management, and performance driven content that feels native to platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

Instead of leading with website builds or paid search, it leans into social storytelling and direct response style influencer content. That appeals to brands who see creators as a primary growth channel rather than a side project.

SmartSites influencer services and client fit

SmartSites usually sits at the intersection of performance marketing and creative production. Influencers are one piece of a bigger push toward leads, sales, and measurable returns across channels.

Services that often include influencers

SmartSites may wrap influencer work into wider service bundles, such as:

• Content strategy that supports paid search and social ads
• Landing page and funnel building to capture influencer traffic
• Paid media campaigns that reuse influencer content as ads
• Reporting across channels to show how influencer spend contributes to results

For brands wanting to see influencers plugged into the same dashboards as Google Ads and email, this integrated style can be reassuring.

How campaigns are typically run

Campaigns tend to be structured around concrete performance goals. You might brief SmartSites on cost per acquisition targets, lead quality, or revenue, and influencers are used as part of the engine rather than standalone “buzz builders.”

Expect attention to tracking links, landing page testing, and creative variations. Influencer content may be adapted for paid social, letting the team lean on A/B testing to refine messaging and visual hooks.

Creator relationships and style

Because the agency’s roots are in digital performance, creator relationships are often evaluated through the lens of results and fit. That means audience quality, niche targeting, and conversion potential usually matter more than pure follower counts.

You’re likely to see a mix of mid-size and micro influencers who can move the needle for very specific audiences. Long term partnerships may evolve from early tests that demonstrate real return.

Typical client fit for SmartSites

SmartSites is usually a better fit if you already think in terms of funnels and return on ad spend. It tends to work well for brands that want influencer efforts anchored to measurable business metrics rather than soft brand goals alone.

It can also make sense if you prefer a single partner handling website optimization, advertising, and creator campaigns under one roof, instead of stitching together different vendors yourself.

Stargazer influencer services and client fit

Stargazer lives deeper inside the creator economy. Its services typically lean heavily on running influencer campaigns from discovery through to content reporting, with less emphasis on building websites or search programs.

Core influencer marketing services

Stargazer’s work often includes:

• Influencer discovery and vetting across major social platforms
• Creative direction tailored to each creator’s voice and audience
• Campaign management and communication with talent
• Content usage rights and coordination for repurposing
• Reporting centered on views, engagement, clicks, and sales

This makes it attractive to brands that want a dedicated influencer partner and are happy to handle web, email, and search in house or with other vendors.

How campaigns are typically run

Campaigns are usually built around storytelling and platform native formats. You might see a larger focus on TikTok trends, YouTube integrations, or Instagram Reels, with creative ideas tailored for what performs on each channel.

Because influencer output is the hero, a lot of effort goes into briefs, creative angles, and ensuring content feels organic to each creator’s usual style, not bolted on as an obvious ad.

Creator relationships and style

Stargazer often emphasizes relationships with a wide range of creators, from niche specialists to larger personalities. Matching the right voices to your audience and brand tone is a big part of the promise.

Expect an emphasis on creator experience, communication, and creative freedom. The better creators feel about your brand, the more likely they are to deliver content that doesn’t feel stiff or scripted.

Typical client fit for Stargazer

This agency is usually a better match for brands that see social video and creator partnerships as their main growth driver. If your team wants deep expertise in influencer execution, this style of partner can be appealing.

It also suits marketers who are comfortable plugging influencer output into their own landing pages, email programs, and ad accounts, instead of expecting one team to control every channel.

How the two agencies differ

While both work with influencers, they serve slightly different needs. At a high level, you’re choosing between an integrated performance marketer with influencer capabilities and a creator-centric partner laser focused on social content.

Focus and starting point

SmartSites usually starts from your website, ads, and conversion targets, then uses influencers to support that bigger system. Stargazer tends to start from creators and platform culture, then works backward into performance metrics and brand outcomes.

Neither approach is wrong. It’s about where you want the “center of gravity” of your marketing to sit and how heavily you lean on social creators for growth.

Depth of creator specialization

The creator-first partner generally spends more time in the weeds on campaign concepts, scripting guidelines, and content iterations. That can be valuable if your brand lives or dies on social storytelling.

A broader digital agency might instead lean on influencer content as one of several levers. You may see a stronger push to rework creator content into ads, landing page elements, and email content.

Client experience and communication

With SmartSites, communication often touches multiple channels, not just influencers. You’ll talk about search, paid media, and site performance along with creator campaigns in the same conversations.

With Stargazer, most of the discussion leans into creators: who to pick, what they’ll say, how content will be delivered, and how results look across platforms. If you like deep creative talk, that can be a plus.

Scale and campaign style

Creator focused agencies often run campaigns with a larger number of influencers per wave, especially on TikTok or Instagram. The goal is to flood a niche with coordinated messages that still feel unique.

Integrated digital agencies sometimes favor tighter groups of partners with more repeat collaborations, particularly when they’re tracking conversions closely and building out long term creative assets.

Pricing and how engagements usually work

Neither company sells like a typical software platform. There are no fixed seats or credits. Instead, budgets are usually tied to campaign scope, influencer fees, and ongoing management.

Common pricing elements for SmartSites

If you work with SmartSites, pricing often weaves influencer efforts into a broader retainer or multi channel package. You may be quoted for:

• Strategy and campaign planning across channels
• Influencer sourcing and negotiations
• Creative direction tied to your overall marketing plan
• Ongoing optimization and reporting

On top of that, your budget must cover influencer compensation, which can include flat fees, performance incentives, or product seeding depending on your niche and influencer tier.

Common pricing elements for Stargazer

With Stargazer, costs are frequently structured around specific influencer activations or ongoing creator programs. Your quote might align with:

• Number and size of influencers per campaign
• Platforms involved and content formats
• Management and coordination time
• Reporting and optimization for future waves

Influencer payments are usually a major part of the budget. Larger or more established talent may require higher flat fees or more detailed contracts for usage rights.

Factors that drive cost up or down

Regardless of which partner you choose, several factors shape your final spend:

• Industry: some niches, like finance or health, command higher creator rates.
• Geography: US and Western Europe talent often cost more than emerging markets.
• Content rights: paid usage or whitelisting also add costs.
• Speed: last minute campaigns typically cost extra.

Many brands underestimate the real cost of strong, rights cleared creator content. Align expectations early so you’re not surprised once quotes come back.

Strengths and limitations to keep in mind

Every partner will shine for some brands and frustrate others. The key is to understand where each approach naturally works best and where you may hit limits.

Where SmartSites tends to shine

• Strong tie between influencer traffic and conversion focused funnels
• Ability to align messaging across search, paid social, and creators
• Useful for brands needing website or landing page help alongside influencers
• Helpful if your team wants one main partner instead of several specialized agencies

Where SmartSites may feel limited

• May not go as deep into creator culture as a specialist influencer shop
• Campaigns could feel more performance heavy than storytelling driven
• Smaller brands focused mainly on creators might feel over-serviced on other channels

Where Stargazer tends to shine

• Deep focus on creator selection and content quality
• Strong fit for brands that live on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram
• Helpful if you want a partner thinking all day about social trends
• Good choice when you already handle web, email, and search elsewhere

Where Stargazer may feel limited

• Less emphasis on full funnel marketing outside social platforms
• You may need extra partners to handle website, SEO, or broader advertising
• Smaller teams might feel stretched managing multiple vendors at once

Who each agency is best for

Thinking in terms of “fit” rather than “better or worse” usually leads to smarter decisions. The right partner is the one that matches your goals, not someone else’s.

When SmartSites is likely the better fit

• You want influencers plugged into a full performance marketing system.
• Your website, landing pages, and ad accounts need attention too.
• You prefer one main partner watching over your funnel end to end.
• You care more about cost per lead or sale than pure reach.

Brands in industries like home services, B2B, or ecommerce with complex funnels might find this structure more comfortable.

When Stargazer is likely the better fit

• You see creators as your central growth driver and main storytelling engine.
• Your internal team or other partners already cover web, search, and email.
• You want heavy emphasis on social creativity and trend aware ideas.
• You’re comfortable investing in larger waves of content across platforms.

Consumer brands in beauty, fashion, gaming, or lifestyle often lean toward this kind of partner when social buzz and content volume matter a lot.

When a platform like Flinque makes more sense

Not every brand needs a full service influencer agency. Sometimes a platform built for in house teams is a better use of budget, especially if you already have marketers who can run campaigns day to day.

What a platform alternative offers

A platform like Flinque lets brands handle influencer discovery, outreach, and campaign tracking directly, without paying for ongoing agency retainers. You use the software to find creators, manage briefs, and monitor performance yourself.

This can be appealing if you have a hands on team that wants ownership of relationships and messaging, but still needs tools to keep everything organized and measurable.

When a platform may be the smarter choice

• You have an in house marketer who can coordinate creators.
• Budget is tight and you’d rather pay for tools than management fees.
• You want to build long term direct relationships with influencers.
• You like testing and iterating quickly without going through agency layers.

On the other hand, if your team is at capacity or lacks influencer experience, a full service agency may still be the safer path despite higher management costs.

FAQs

How do I decide which type of influencer partner to choose?

Start with your team capacity and main goals. If you want full funnel support and minimal coordination, a broad digital agency helps. If you mainly care about social storytelling, a creator focused partner or platform may be best.

Can I work with both an influencer agency and a separate digital agency?

Yes, many brands do. The key is clear roles. Decide who owns what: website, ads, email, and influencers. Hold regular joint check ins so both sides see the same results and avoid conflicting strategies or overlapping work.

What should I ask before signing with any influencer agency?

Ask for case studies, how they choose creators, how they measure success, and who will manage your account. Clarify content rights, reporting format, and how they handle underperforming campaigns. Make sure their answers match your expectations.

How long before I see real results from influencer campaigns?

Expect at least a few months to see consistent, reliable trends. Early tests help refine audiences, content angles, and offers. Some brands see quick wins, but most need multiple waves of content and optimization to hit stable performance.

Do I need a big budget to work with influencers effectively?

Not always. Smaller budgets can still work with micro influencers or targeted campaigns. The key is focusing on clear goals, strong offers, and tracking. As results appear, you can gradually increase investment with more confidence.

Conclusion: choosing the right partner for you

Choosing between these influencer partners comes down to how you like to work and where your biggest gaps are. Think about whether you need help across your whole marketing funnel or mainly in creator strategy and execution.

If you want influencers tightly woven into web, search, and paid campaigns, a broader digital agency style may serve you best. If your world revolves around creators and social platforms, a specialist partner usually delivers deeper execution.

And if your team prefers to stay hands on, a platform alternative might give you more control and flexibility. Match the choice to your budget, your internal skills, and how involved you want to be day to day.

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.