About 70 to 80% of consumers research a business online before visiting the store in person or buying a product. If you’re not using the latest digital marketing tactics, you could fall behind competitors. With a strong digital marketing strategy, you can expand your reach and boost business.
With professional help, you can get ahead of the competition. However, it’s not enough to work with the first agency you come across.
Here are seven factors to consider before hiring an online marketing agency. With these tips, you can find an experienced professional that has the know-how you need. Keep reading to learn how to choose a digital marketing agency you can rely on.
1. Know Your Goals
Before contacting an online marketing agency, make sure to define your goals.
Are you trying to reach more customers? Maybe you want to boost brand awareness or establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. What about increasing traffic to your website, leads, and online sales?
You might want to align your marketing goals with your overall business goals. For example, let’s say you need to increase sales year-over-year. In that case, you might want to focus on increasing online sales for a specific product.
Then, you can devise a digital marketing strategy to help you accomplish those goals.
A professional digital advertising agency will know which marketing services you need to succeed! When speaking with different agencies, ask them about their process. How will they help you accomplish your goals?
For example, an agency can upgrade your website to improve the visitor’s online experience. A fast-loading website will help users find what they need quickly and easily. Then, you can use a strong call-to-action (CTA) to boost sales.
They can also create a pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaign to increase traffic to your website and boost your online sales.
Defining your goals before hiring an agency will help you find the team qualified to help you accomplish those goals.
2. Select Your Services
Once you determine your goals, you can also find an agency with the services you need. These can include:
- Website design and development
- Content creation
- PPC advertising
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
In order to develop an effective digital marketing strategy, you’ll need an up-to-date website. If your website is out-of-date, your business will look old and irrelevant, too.
Your website will also support other digital marketing strategies. For example, PPC ads will send consumers to your website. In order to develop an SEO strategy, you’ll need a fast, mobile-optimized website.
SEO allows your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. About 93% of all online activities start with a search engine. However, 75% of searchers don’t look beyond the first page of a search.
If you’re not on the first page, your competitors are getting those leads instead.
A talented digital marketing agency can help you enjoy the benefits of SEO. These can include increased website traffic, leads, and more credibility for your brand!
You can also use PPC advertising to increase traffic to your website or social media marketing to connect with your customers.
Make sure the agency you choose offers the services you need. You can learn more about retail marketing solutions from an experienced agency here.
3. Find an Experienced Agency
Before choosing an online marketing agency, make sure they have the experience and know-how you need.
How long has the agency operated? If the agency is brand new, they’re probably still working out the kinks in their business plan. Instead, choose an agency with experienced staff.
Take the time to learn about each staff member’s credentials, too. For example, if you need a PPC advertiser, make sure they’re certified by Google Ads.
How large is the staff? How many clients does the company have? Do they have enough team members to handle their clients?
If the team is understaffed, they might not have the time to help you.
Make sure to find an agency with the qualifications and online marketing experience you need.
4. Read Reviews
To learn more about an agency, head online. Look for references and reviews from the company’s previous clients. You can find reviews on the company’s website, Better Business Bureau listing, and Google My Business listing.
Reading reviews can give you a better idea of what it will feel like to work with an agency. Did their clients experience any problems? How were those issues resolved?
If you can’t find references and reviews online, ask the agency if you can speak with one of their clients.
Make sure to verify that the agency’s references actually exist. If the company isn’t comfortable providing a reference, keep searching.
5. Make Sure They Communicate
How does the company communicate with customers while managing campaigns? Will you have regular video meetings or exchange emails? How will you confirm they’re helping you accomplish your goals?
Make sure the company determines key performance indicators before beginning your campaigns. How are they tracking your progress? They might study your impressions, website traffic, or conversions.
If a business doesn’t have a plan to communicate with you regularly, look into choosing another online marketing agency. An agency that fails to communicate likely won’t remain transparent regarding your campaigns.
6. Review Your Budget
Before choosing an agency, make sure you can afford their services.
Ask to see everything in writing. Some agencies provide an ala carte option. That way, you’ll only pay for the services you need.
7. Check Their Case Studies
If you want more proof of an agency’s abilities, ask to see their case studies. Case studies will help you confirm they’ve helped previous clients.
Have they worked with any clients in your industry? If so, they likely have the online marketing experience necessary to help your business.
Make Your Mark: 7 Qualities to Look for in an Online Marketing Agency
Don’t let your competitors take the lead! Instead, look for these qualities in an experienced online marketing agency. By hiring an agency, you can get ahead of the competitor and start reeling in customers.
Boost your business with help from a qualified marketing agency today.
Looking for more ways to grow your company? Explore the Business section of the blog today.
