It’s essential to have a marketing plan to boost your company’s online presence. But you can’t choose just any agency based on a quick Google search. The choice you make on a digital marketing partner can make or break your business.
Know Your Goals When Going into the Process
No two businesses are identical, which is why you’ll never see indistinguishable marketing plans. For this reason, digital marketers also vary. If you’re a startup with a limited budget, you need a slim but effective strategy to increase your website’s conversion rate and generate more leads and sales.
When you go to review digital marketers, always have a starting point, a general idea of what you want to include in your budget, and of course, how much money you can allocate to branding services.
For example, are you looking for full-service marketing that includes PPC advertising, social media posts, influencers, SEO, and blog creation? These needs require lengthy planning and coordination, which could require a larger agency with a dedicated team for your business. On the other hand, if you only need blog management for your WordPress site, a small firm can handle the work with a small budget.
Check Out Their Past Clients or Portfolio
An important area to check on the agency’s website is who they’ve worked with in the past or are still partners with. This information can give you an understanding of the quality of the company’s services and customer satisfaction. It also helps you see the size and scope of work they complete.
Keep in mind this is more difficult with a start-up agency that might not have an extensive portfolio. However, if you’re on a strict budget or have limited marketing funds, a new marketer may be a good fit, allowing you to help each other.
First Impressions: Do You Like the Website?
Don’t skim over your first impression. When you click on the company’s website, it should wow you. Although functionality is necessary, many other factors are personal. Either the initial landing page draws you in or sends you back to the drawing board.
Review the Staff’s Experience
There’s nothing wrong with hiring a start-up agency. Everyone needs a chance. But you still need to review the qualifications of the people or team that will be working on your marketing strategy. Questions to ask include:
- Do you have an in-house team? (Availability)
- What levels of education or certifications do your staff members hold?
- How many years has your copywriter, graphic designer, social media manager been working in the industry?
- Have your employees worked for any top agencies?
You can also use LinkedIn to review the company’s staff and check on expertise.
Check Reviews & Industry Reputation
Don’t skip a Google search or scan for off-site reviews, ratings, and customer testimonials. If one or more negative responses pop up, you may want to stay clear and look for a different agency. Again, this step may be more difficult with a start-up or new business and might not garner the results you need.
Review the Company’s Values and Culture
You want to be on the same level as your marketing partner. You and your team will be working closely with the agency’s team, and you need to avoid clashes. Any agency you work with is an extension of your business, and it’s essential to share the same core values. Problems here could end up requiring a new agency, reputation management services, and a crisis plan.
What Tools Does the Agency Use?
Education and experience are significant factors for choosing a digital marketer. But the tools an agency uses also help define the quality of their service. You want to work with an agency that balances technology and knowledge. Standard tools that can improve marketing strategies include,
- Google Analytics
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Moz
- MailChimp
To find out if the firm uses these tools and others, check out their website. The right company will advertise how they help achieve your first-page ranking.
Choosing a digital marketing partner isn’t about picking a company to handle your custodial needs. Instead, it’s about finding the right maintenance team for all your business’s branding and digital advertising demands.
Written by Redesign.co, a digital marketing company that specializes in building a company’s online reputation and boosting its sales.
