Choosing the right CRO agency is one of the most important decisions for your online shop. Yet most agencies hide their prices or lure you in with low entry barriers that conceal hidden costs in the contract. We do things differently: transparent, honest, performance-based. This article is an honest comparison that shows what really matters when selecting a CRO agency, and what CRO agency costs you can actually expect.
The Hidden Costs of Traditional CRO Agencies
- Setup fees: EUR 5,000–25,000 before the first test
- Monthly retainers: EUR 5,000–30,000/month, regardless of results
- Minimum terms: 6–12 month commitment, even without success
- Tool costs: VWO, Optimizely, Hotjar, often charged separately
- Consulting fees: EUR 150–350/hour for strategy sessions
- Internal resources: developers, designers, project managers tied up
Cost Comparison: Traditional Agency vs. JDKRUEGER&CO
| Cost factor | Traditional CRO agency | JDKRUEGER&CO |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | EUR 5,000–25,000 | EUR 0 |
| Monthly costs | EUR 5,000–30,000 | EUR 0 fixed costs |
| Tool licences | EUR 500–2,000/month extra | Included in price |
| Minimum term | 6–12 months | Cancellable monthly |
| Performance fee | None. Fixed price regardless of outcome | 10 % of additional revenue |
| First results | 3–6 months | 3–5 business days |
Worked Example: What Does CRO Really Cost?
Scenario A: Shop with EUR 500,000 monthly revenue
- Traditional agency: EUR 15,000/month retainer + EUR 10,000 setup = EUR 190,000 in the first year
- JDKRUEGER&CO: EUR 0 setup + EUR 0 retainer. At +8 % additional revenue (EUR 40,000/month) = EUR 40,000/month x 10 % = EUR 4,800/month
- Savings: EUR 132,400 in the first year with better results
Scenario B: Shop with EUR 100,000 monthly revenue
- Traditional agency: EUR 8,000/month retainer + EUR 5,000 setup = EUR 101,000 in the first year
- JDKRUEGER&CO: EUR 0 setup + EUR 0 retainer. At +12 % additional revenue (EUR 12,000/month) = EUR 12,000/month x 10 % = EUR 1,200/month
- Savings: EUR 86,600 in the first year
Our Model: From thinkCONVERSION® to Conversion Operating System
Our work is built on the thinkCONVERSION® framework, the methodology I have developed and proven over years in companies such as Reifen.com, Geschenke24 and Kettner Edelmetalle. But we are more than an agency with a methodology.
JDKRUEGER&CO is a Conversion Operating System, a fully orchestrated experiment system with 9 engines that tests, analyses and rolls out. No tool licence, no hourly billing. We work purely on a performance basis:
- No setup: EUR 0 entry costs
- No retainer: No monthly fees
- No minimum term: Cancellable monthly
- 10 % of additional revenue: We only earn when you earn more
- 14-day Proof of Value: Free, no obligation
- All tools included: No additional licence costs
Who Is Our Model Suitable For?
Our model fits e-commerce shops from EUR 100,000 monthly revenue upwards that want to grow systematically without the risk of high upfront payments. We prioritise shops with measurable traffic and existing tracking (GA4, Matomo, Adobe).
Ideal if you:
- Already have 50,000+ visitors/month
- Have a working tracking setup
- Process at least 1,000 transactions/month
- Are ready to test and learn quickly
- Have no internal CRO resources or want to relieve them
Frequently Asked Questions About CRO Costs
What does CRO really cost with you?
Nothing upfront. After the Proof of Value you pay 10 % of demonstrable additional revenue. No hidden costs, no tool licences, no consulting fees. More about the pricing model →
How do you calculate additional revenue?
We compare control and variant in the running A/B test. The extra revenue the optimised version generates comes solely from our optimisation: measurable, transparent, fair.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. No setup fees, no tool costs, no consulting fees. 10 %. That is all.
How do you differ from other CRO agencies?
We are not a consultant billing by the hour. We are not a tool vendor selling licences. We are a Conversion Operating System that takes over the complete cycle. See the direct comparison with agencies and tools here →
How long does the partnership last?
6 months performance fee per successful test. After that the optimisation belongs to you. We continuously start new tests.
Can I get a cost overview in advance?
Yes. In the free initial consultation we analyse your shop and estimate the potential. You receive a transparent forecast before you decide.
What happens if no results come?
Then you pay nothing. Our model is based on demonstrable additional revenue. No success = no cost. That is our promise.
Last updated: August 2026