How we compare

Four ways to hire a performance marketer, editor or e-commerce manager.

An agency, a job board, a referral, or us. Each one suits some hires. This page sets them side by side so you can pick, with typical market numbers for the others and our own terms for us.

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Side by side

What you get for the fee

The agency and job board columns are typical for India. Your own experience may differ, so ask any provider for their terms in writing.

Compared on	OperatorsE-commerce roles, tested	A typical agencyGeneral recruitment firm	Job boardsYou post and screen	A referralSomeone you or your team knows
What you pay	12%, 15% or 18% to 20% of annual CTC, by level. A ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 deposit, credited to the fee.	Usually 8.33% to 20% of annual CTC. Some ask for a retainer.	A posting or subscription fee, plus your team's hours.	Often nothing, or a referral bonus to your employee.
When you pay	The rest of the fee on the joining date, payable within 15 days.	On joining, sometimes on offer acceptance.	Up front, whether or not you hire.	If there is a bonus, after the hire stays a few months.
Who pays	The employer only. Candidates never pay us anything.	The employer. Most never charge candidates, a few do.	The employer. Some boards also sell paid plans to candidates.	The employer.
How candidates are tested	A practical test on a real task for the role, scored and shown to you with the evidence.	Mostly a CV screen and a phone call. You run the tests.	You read the CVs and run every interview and test.	Trust in the person who referred them. You test them yourself.
Proof of past work	Spend handled, results and portfolio checked before you see the profile.	What the candidate says on the CV.	What the candidate says on the CV.	What the referrer knows first hand.
Time to a shortlist	Tested profiles within 10 working days, or the deposit back. A Shortlist Pack in 5.	One to three weeks of CVs, often with no deadline.	Applications arrive in days. Sorting hundreds of them takes your weeks.	Depends on who your network knows that month.
If the hire leaves early	One free replacement within 90 days of joining.	A replacement within 30 to 60 days is typical.	You start again and pay again.	You start again.
Introductions rule	The fee applies if you hire someone we introduced within 12 months, for any role. Written in the agreement.	Similar clauses, often 6 to 12 months. Check the small print.	None.	None.
E-commerce focus	Only e-commerce roles: performance marketing, creative, AI and automation, store, marketplace and quick commerce operations, retention, creators and social.	Many industries. The recruiter may not know what ROAS or RTO means.	Every industry. Filters help, judgement is yours.	As good as your network.
If you need to employ in India	We can employ the person for you. EOR from $149 a month for companies abroad, 8% of CTC for Indian brands, or contract staffing at salary plus 12%.	Some offer payroll. Most send you elsewhere.	No.	No.

Operators

E-commerce roles, tested

What you pay: 12%, 15% or 18% to 20% of annual CTC, by level. A ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 deposit, credited to the fee.
When you pay: The rest of the fee on the joining date, payable within 15 days.
Who pays: The employer only. Candidates never pay us anything.
How candidates are tested: A practical test on a real task for the role, scored and shown to you with the evidence.
Proof of past work: Spend handled, results and portfolio checked before you see the profile.
Time to a shortlist: Tested profiles within 10 working days, or the deposit back. A Shortlist Pack in 5.
If the hire leaves early: One free replacement within 90 days of joining.
Introductions rule: The fee applies if you hire someone we introduced within 12 months, for any role. Written in the agreement.
E-commerce focus: Only e-commerce roles: performance marketing, creative, AI and automation, store, marketplace and quick commerce operations, retention, creators and social.
If you need to employ in India: We can employ the person for you. EOR from $149 a month for companies abroad, 8% of CTC for Indian brands, or contract staffing at salary plus 12%.

A typical agency

General recruitment firm

What you pay: Usually 8.33% to 20% of annual CTC. Some ask for a retainer.
When you pay: On joining, sometimes on offer acceptance.
Who pays: The employer. Most never charge candidates, a few do.
How candidates are tested: Mostly a CV screen and a phone call. You run the tests.
Proof of past work: What the candidate says on the CV.
Time to a shortlist: One to three weeks of CVs, often with no deadline.
If the hire leaves early: A replacement within 30 to 60 days is typical.
Introductions rule: Similar clauses, often 6 to 12 months. Check the small print.
E-commerce focus: Many industries. The recruiter may not know what ROAS or RTO means.
If you need to employ in India: Some offer payroll. Most send you elsewhere.

Job boards

You post and screen

What you pay: A posting or subscription fee, plus your team's hours.
When you pay: Up front, whether or not you hire.
Who pays: The employer. Some boards also sell paid plans to candidates.
How candidates are tested: You read the CVs and run every interview and test.
Proof of past work: What the candidate says on the CV.
Time to a shortlist: Applications arrive in days. Sorting hundreds of them takes your weeks.
If the hire leaves early: You start again and pay again.
Introductions rule: None.
E-commerce focus: Every industry. Filters help, judgement is yours.
If you need to employ in India: No.

A referral

Someone you or your team knows

What you pay: Often nothing, or a referral bonus to your employee.
When you pay: If there is a bonus, after the hire stays a few months.
Who pays: The employer.
How candidates are tested: Trust in the person who referred them. You test them yourself.
Proof of past work: What the referrer knows first hand.
Time to a shortlist: Depends on who your network knows that month.
If the hire leaves early: You start again.
Introductions rule: None.
E-commerce focus: As good as your network.
If you need to employ in India: No.

When others fit

Where we are not the best choice

Use a job board

When you hire many junior people for the same role, have someone to screen applications, and a bad hire is cheap to fix.

Use a referral

When someone you trust has worked with the person and seen their results. Test them anyway.

Use a general agency

For roles outside e-commerce, such as finance, legal or warehouse staff. We don't hire for those.

Try it on one role

See tested profiles before you commit to a search.

The Shortlist Pack gives you 5 tested profiles in 5 working days for ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. You hire them directly, and pay 5% of CTC only if one of them joins.

See the Shortlist Pack

Compare us on your next role.

Send the role. We confirm the fee band in writing before you pay a deposit.

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