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Review Methodology

Our Agency Review Methodology

How we evaluate and score B2B SaaS agencies in the SaaS Hackers Directory

Choosing the right agency is hard, especially in B2B SaaS, where the challenges, buying cycles, and growth levers are very different from generic marketing or creative work. That’s why we built a transparent, consistent, and evidence-based methodology for scoring every agency listed in our directory.

Our goal is simple:

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Help SaaS founders and marketing leaders quickly understand which agencies truly specialise in B2B SaaS, which have proof of results, and which are genuinely credible partners—not just good at writing website copy.

Below, we break down exactly how we assess each agency and the guardrails we use for scoring. No black boxes. No pay-to-play. Just clear criteria applied consistently.

The Four Evaluation Criteria

1. B2B SaaS Focus

How clearly the agency positions itself around B2B SaaS or technology clients

Specialisation matters. Agencies with deep B2B SaaS experience understand complex products, long buying cycles, technical positioning, and revenue-driven marketing. We review each agency’s website to gauge how central SaaS is to their brand.

How we assess:
We look for SaaS-specific landing pages, case studies, messaging, and whether their homepage explicitly positions them as a B2B SaaS agency.

Scoring guardrails:

  • 5 — B2B SaaS is core to their brand: The homepage and 75%+ of their case studies are SaaS.
  • 4 — Strong SaaS positioning but not exclusive.
  • 3 — General B2B with some SaaS clients, or vice versa.
  • 2 — Generic agency with one SaaS reference.
  • 1 — No clear SaaS focus.

2. Proof of Results

Whether the agency demonstrates measurable impact

In SaaS, outcomes matter: pipeline, ARR, CAC, activation, retention, ROAS—real numbers that show whether an agency can drive growth. We review all case studies, testimonials, and published results for evidence of performance.

How we assess:
Case studies, testimonials, screenshots, metrics, and documented ROI.

Scoring guardrails:

  • 5 — Multiple quantified results (e.g., +150% pipeline, 4× ROAS, -38% CAC).
  • 4 — At least one strong, quantified B2B SaaS case study.
  • 3 — Testimonials only, with no hard numbers.
  • 2 — Claims without evidence.
  • 1 — No visible case studies or social proof.

3. Transparency & Credibility

Whether they show who they are, how they work, and what clients can expect

Credible agencies don’t hide behind vague marketing language. Transparency builds trust—especially in a saturated services market where many agencies appear similar at first glance.

How we assess:
We evaluate visibility of the team, leadership, pricing, delivery model, and process.

Scoring guardrails:

  • 5 — Transparent pricing or model plus visible team plus leadership profiles.
  • 4 — Clear team and process, but no pricing transparency.
  • 3 — Clear offer but vague about people or pricing.
  • 2 — Minimal information about structure or capabilities.
  • 1 — Anonymous or generic site with no meaningful detail.

4. Reputation & Trust Signals

How credible and established the agency is within the industry

We look beyond their website to understand how the agency shows up publicly and how the market perceives them.

How we assess:
Google presence, awards, partnerships, industry recognition, thought leadership, events, and LinkedIn activity from founders or the company.

Scoring guardrails:

  • 5 — Recognised thought leader, frequent speaker, award-winning, or notable partner.
  • 4 — Strong social/digital presence or consistent thought leadership.
  • 3 — Active but with limited recognition.
  • 2 — New or low-visibility agency.
  • 1 — Hard to verify credibility.

How the Score Works

Each agency receives a score from 1–5 across all four criteria, creating a composite profile that reflects:

  • their specialisation,
  • their ability to deliver results,
  • their transparency, and
  • their market reputation.

No single factor determines ranking—we value a balanced picture of capability and credibility.

Why This Matters

For SaaS founders and marketing leaders, the right agency can accelerate growth. The wrong one wastes time, budget, and momentum. Our methodology helps you:

  • filter the noise,
  • understand strengths and weaknesses at a glance,
  • and choose partners with proven B2B SaaS expertise.

For agencies, this system rewards real work—not just polished websites. Clear positioning, strong results, and transparent operations shine through immediately.