Definition

Client Retention Rate

The percentage of clients an agency keeps over a specific period, typically measured annually.

The percentage of clients an agency keeps over a specific period, typically measured annually.

Definition

Client retention rate measures the percentage of clients who continue working with an agency over a defined period. It's calculated by dividing the number of clients at the end of a period (minus new clients acquired) by the number of clients at the start, then multiplying by 100.

Why This Matters for Agencies

For marketing agencies, retention rate is a critical metric that directly impacts revenue stability and growth. Industry benchmarks suggest healthy agencies maintain 80-90% annual retention rates. Improving retention by just 5% can increase profits by 25-95%.

Formula

((Clients at End - New Clients) / Clients at Start) × 100
Clients at End:Total clients at period end
New Clients:Clients acquired during the period
Clients at Start:Total clients at period start

Example

If an agency starts the year with 50 clients, acquires 15 new clients, and ends with 55 clients, the retention rate is: ((55-15)/50) × 100 = 80%

Track and Improve Your Retention Rate

Angelwood's client health scoring helps identify at-risk clients before they churn, directly improving your retention rate.