growth
The Real Cost of a Bad Lead Gen Contract
Long contracts and setup fees quietly kill ROI. We break down what to look for before signing with any agency.
Elena Cho
•
May 20, 2026
Setup fees are a red flag
If an agency needs a large upfront payment before proving results, that's a sign the risk is being pushed onto you.
What good contracts look like
- Pay-per-lead or performance-based pricing
- No long-term lock-in
- Clear lead qualification criteria defined upfront
- Transparent reporting you can audit anytime
Ask any prospective partner to show you exactly how a lead is qualified before it lands in your inbox.