SmartSites vs Ykone

Why brands weigh up SmartSites and Ykone

When you look for outside help with creators, you are usually torn between global visibility and hands-on support. That is exactly why many brands end up comparing SmartSites and Ykone.

Both work with influencers, but they come from different backgrounds and serve different types of clients. Understanding those differences helps you avoid wasted budget and mismatched expectations.

In simple terms, you want to know who will actually move the needle for your brand, in your market, with your level of budget and internal support.

What each agency is known for

The primary keyword for this page is influencer marketing services. Both agencies support that goal, but in different ways.

SmartSites is widely recognized as a performance-driven digital marketing agency. It is based in the United States and focuses on measurable growth for small and mid-sized brands, especially through search and paid media.

Influencers are usually part of a wider web, SEO, and advertising package rather than the sole focus. That can appeal to brands wanting one partner to handle multiple digital channels under one roof.

Ykone, on the other hand, is known globally as a specialist in influencer and creator campaigns, especially in fashion, beauty, travel, and luxury.

Its reputation is built on visually polished campaigns, high-profile creators, and collaborations with well-known lifestyle brands that want strong storytelling across Instagram, TikTok, and other visual channels.

While SmartSites leans into “how do we drive traffic and leads,” Ykone leans into “how do we create culture-shaping content with the right talent.”

SmartSites in more detail

SmartSites usually enters a brand’s world as a broader digital partner. Influencer work, when offered or coordinated, typically fits within a larger funnel strategy that includes web design, SEO, and ad management.

Services SmartSites typically offers

SmartSites is known for combining several services into growth-focused packages. These often include:

• Website design and development
• Search engine optimization and content marketing
• Pay-per-click and paid social advertising
• Email and conversion-focused marketing support
• Analytics and performance tracking

When influencers are involved, they are usually tied into conversion goals, landing pages, and retargeting rather than being its only service.

How SmartSites tends to run campaigns

SmartSites’ campaigns are usually centered on measurable outcomes like leads, calls, purchases, or booked consultations. Influencer efforts are often integrated with paid media and on-site optimization.

That means you might see creators driving traffic to a custom landing page, with SmartSites managing retargeting, tracking, and follow-up sequences around that content.

The emphasis is on step-by-step results within a marketing funnel instead of just top-line visibility or brand buzz.

Creator relationships and style of work

SmartSites is not primarily presented as a talent agency with a huge internal roster of influencers. Instead, they are better described as campaign builders who may source or coordinate creators as part of a performance plan.

SmartSites’ value lies in tightening what happens after a creator sends traffic, rather than owning the creative world of influencers themselves.

Typical client fit for SmartSites

SmartSites tends to be a fit when brands want a direct line from creator content to leads or sales. It is often chosen by:

• Small and medium-sized businesses in the US and Canada
• Service providers needing phone calls and form fills
• Ecommerce stores wanting SEO and ads plus creator content
• Local and regional brands that need performance reporting

If you want one team to manage your site, traffic, and tracking, and you see influencer marketing as one lever among many, SmartSites can feel accessible.

Ykone in more detail

Ykone is often associated with visually driven, culture-focused work. It built its name in Paris and other style capitals, serving fashion, beauty, hospitality, and luxury clients.

Services Ykone is known for

Unlike a general digital agency, Ykone places creators at the center of its offer. Common services include:

• End-to-end influencer and creator campaign management
• Creator selection, casting, and relationship management
• Content concepts, moodboards, and creative direction
• Global and multi-market campaign rollout
• Measurement tied to awareness, engagement, and brand lift

Ykone’s work often spans Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and sometimes offline events supported by creator content.

How Ykone typically runs campaigns

Ykone’s campaigns usually start from a brand story or collection launch instead of a pure performance target. The focus is on look, feel, and cultural relevance.

They are known for curating groups of influencers whose aesthetic fits a brand’s mood, then coordinating content across markets and channels for a unified visual presence.

While results still matter, the key outcomes are often reach, storytelling, and long-term brand perception in style-conscious audiences.

Creator relationships and network depth

Ykone positions itself as deeply connected to talent in fashion, beauty, and travel. This often includes macro and mega influencers, as well as select mid-tier creators in trendsetting cities.

That kind of network can be powerful when you are launching a fragrance, resort, or collection and need creators who already shape trends in Paris, Milan, Dubai, or New York.

Ykone’s strengths are particularly visible in carefully art-directed shoots, influencer trips, and high-end collaborations.

Typical client fit for Ykone

Ykone is favored by brands with strong visual identities and premium positioning, such as:

• Luxury fashion and beauty houses
• High-end hotels and travel brands
• Lifestyle labels launching global campaigns
• Consumer brands seeking an “aspirational” makeover

Budgets are typically higher, and internal teams usually care deeply about image, mood, and alignment with brand heritage.

How the two agencies really differ

Although both can touch influencers, they sit in very different spaces. You will feel those differences from the first discovery call onward.

SmartSites feels like a performance marketing partner that may bring in creators as one of several tactics. Conversation often revolves around traffic, leads, and cost per result.

Ykone feels like a creative and talent-driven partner. Conversations center around mood, visuals, casting, and the story your brand is telling with prominent creators.

One is more channel-agnostic and numbers-focused. The other is creator-centric and driven by visual storytelling and cultural positioning.

SmartSites is also more US-focused with heavy emphasis on web and search. Ykone tends to work across multiple countries and is especially strong in European and global lifestyle markets.

In practice, that means SmartSites may be better if you want your influencer activity deeply wired into search and paid funnels. Ykone may be stronger if your priority is brand desire and category leadership.

Pricing approach and how work is scoped

Neither agency uses public SaaS-style pricing. Both rely on tailored quotes based on your needs, markets, and creator scope.

SmartSites often structures work as a monthly retainer or project fee covering web, SEO, and paid media, with influencer coordination layered on if relevant.

Costs are usually influenced by how many channels they manage, how complex your site or funnel is, and how much creative production is required.

Ykone typically scopes projects around campaign waves, markets, and the types of creators you want to work with. Influencer fees themselves represent a major share of budget.

Management, strategy, and creative direction are often charged on top of creator payments, especially for global campaigns with significant coordination.

In both cases, stronger creators, multiple markets, and more content formats raise budgets. However, fees with Ykone can especially climb in luxury segments where talent rates are high.

Strengths and limitations of each option

Both agencies can be effective, but in different settings. The key is understanding where each one shines and where you might hit friction.

Where SmartSites stands out

• Strong focus on performance metrics and measurable return
• Ability to connect creator content to SEO, PPC, and email
• Accessible for small and mid-sized brands needing one main partner
• Useful when your website and funnel need serious upgrades

A common concern is whether a performance agency will fully understand the softer, brand-building side of influencer work.

SmartSites may feel less tailored if you need highly curated creator casting or niche lifestyle storytelling that goes beyond conversions.

Where Ykone stands out

• Deep specialization in fashion, beauty, luxury, and travel
• Strong connections with style-forward creators and celebrities
• Expertise in art direction, visual storytelling, and mood
• Experience with multi-country campaigns and launches

The flip side is that Ykone may feel heavy for smaller budgets or brands not ready for large creative investments.

Some marketers worry about how tightly those creative wins tie back to direct sales. Attribution can be trickier than with performance-led partners.

Who each agency is best suited for

It helps to imagine who each agency was built to serve. That way, you can quickly see where you fall on the spectrum.

SmartSites: best fits

• Local and regional service businesses needing leads, not just likes
• Ecommerce brands wanting SEO, ads, and influencer content aligned
• Founders who value dashboards, tracking, and performance metrics
• Companies that want one partner for website, traffic, and growth

If your brand identity is still developing and you mainly want sales, SmartSites’ structure might fit better than a highly artistic influencer specialist.

Ykone: best fits

• Luxury fashion labels launching collections across markets
• Beauty and skincare brands fighting for visibility in crowded feeds
• Hotels, resorts, and travel brands selling experiences and lifestyle
• Consumer brands ready to invest in premium storytelling with talent

Ykone is especially suited to teams with strong creative direction in-house, who want a partner that can execute that vision with the right creators.

When a platform alternative makes more sense

Not every brand is ready for ongoing retainers or large campaign fees. In those cases, a self-serve platform can offer more control at a lower management cost.

Tools like Flinque position themselves as alternatives to full-service influencer agencies. Instead of hiring an outside team to run everything, marketers keep more control in-house.

With a platform, you typically discover creators, manage outreach, approve content, and track results inside one workspace. The brand team stays close to every step.

This route can work well when you have internal marketers or social media managers who can handle daily coordination but need better systems.

It can also help if you want to test influencer activity at smaller budgets before committing to a creative or performance agency partner later on.

The tradeoff is that you do more of the work yourself, but you avoid large retainers and can scale up or down as you learn.

FAQs

How should I decide between SmartSites and Ykone for my brand?

Start with your main goal. If you want measurable leads and sales with influencers as one channel, SmartSites fits. If you prioritize premium image, storytelling, and high-end creators, Ykone is more natural.

Can smaller brands work with Ykone?

Some smaller brands can, especially those in fashion or beauty with strong creative direction. However, budgets must usually be big enough to cover high creator fees and polished production.

Do I need an agency if I already have influencers interested in my brand?

Not always. If a few creators already love your products, you can manage those relationships in-house or through a platform, then consider an agency when you want larger-scale structure.

Is it better to focus on performance or branding with influencers?

Ideally, you balance both. Early-stage or budget-limited brands often lean performance-focused. Established names with resources often push branding and storytelling, then measure longer-term impact.

Can I switch from a platform to an agency later?

Yes. Many brands start with platforms to learn what works, then bring on agencies once they know which markets, creators, and formats justify bigger investment.

Conclusion

Choosing between these agencies really comes down to how you define success and how much support you need around creators.

If you want influencer activity tightly wired into search, ads, and conversion tracking, SmartSites’ performance-first setup may feel reassuring and efficient.

If your priority is high-end image, visual storytelling, and working with trendsetting creators in fashion, beauty, or travel, Ykone is closer to what you are looking for.

For teams with smaller budgets or strong in-house marketers, a platform like Flinque can offer a middle path, letting you manage creator work directly while saving on agency retainers.

Think about your budget, the level of creativity you need, and how involved you want to be. Then choose the partner or platform that matches not only your goals today but also where you hope your brand will be in two to three years.

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.