Start with the commercial job the provider has to solve
Hiring a Mailchimp provider usually means the business wants more than somebody to press Send. Clarify whether the job is account setup, template design, automation, recurring campaigns, segmentation or all of them.
Write that objective into the brief before requesting proposals. It gives every shortlisted provider the same starting point and makes vague feature lists easier to challenge.
Compare the proposal line by line
| Compare | Ask before signing |
|---|---|
| Account | Will the business retain admin ownership? |
| Templates | Are reusable branded templates created? |
| Automation | Which triggers and sequences are included? |
| Forms | Are website or lead-capture forms connected? |
| Segmentation | How is the audience organised? |
| Reporting | Which actions after the click are measured? |
The sector-specific issue your shortlist should understand
Kydos' Advanced Email Automation scope can include multiple sequences, Mailchimp or Brevo integration and analytics/performance tracking. The service is custom quoted.
Ask the provider to explain how this changes its recommended scope. A useful answer should affect the actual pages, campaigns, content, tracking or workflow being proposed.
Ask for proof that matches the work you are buying
Ask for a workflow diagram showing forms, segments, triggers, emails and handoff into the wider sales process.
Proof should help you evaluate capability, not pressure you into a decision. Where client data cannot be shared, a provider can still demonstrate its process, live owned properties, sample deliverables or anonymised implementation detail without inventing results.
Agree ownership and access before work begins
Clarify which accounts, domains, platforms, analytics properties, creative files and source data belong to your business. You should also know what remains accessible if you change supplier later. Ownership is easiest to agree before the first invoice is paid.
Make reporting answer a buying question
Ask what the provider will report and which decisions those numbers will change. A useful report should connect activity to the objective in the brief, whether that is qualified enquiries, bookings, quote requests, purchases, visibility for priority commercial pages or another defined outcome.
Watch for this red flag
Choose the provider that can explain what is not needed yet
A strong proposal does not have to be the biggest one. The provider should be able to separate essential first-stage work from items that can wait until there is evidence to justify them. That is often a better sign of commercial judgement than a long feature list.
Put Kydos into your shortlist
Compare the published Kydos scope against the providers you are already speaking to, then request a focused quote if the fit looks right.
See Kydos Email AutomationFrequently asked questions
What should I compare between Mailchimp setup and email marketing providers?
Compare the exact deliverables, responsibility split, approval process, ownership, reporting, support and the commercial outcome the provider is expected to improve.
Should I choose a specialist agency for businesses using Mailchimp?
Specialist experience can help, but it is not enough on its own. Check whether the provider understands your buying journey, can implement the required work and communicates the scope clearly.
Should I ask for a proposal before hiring?
Yes. Give shortlisted providers the same brief so you can compare assumptions, exclusions, deliverables and commercial terms on a like-for-like basis.
What is a warning sign when comparing agencies?
The agency wants to run the entire programme from an account the business cannot access or export from.
What proof should I ask to see?
Ask for a workflow diagram showing forms, segments, triggers, emails and handoff into the wider sales process.
How can I compare Kydos with another provider?
Use Kydos' published service and pricing pages as one benchmark, then compare the other proposal against the same questions on scope, implementation, ownership and support.