Figuring out what the best way is to proceed with your digital marketing can seem daunting to some. It can be a murky and difficult road to navigate and for some people, it may just be better and easier to go with an agency to handle your digital marketing for you. Or perhaps in house could work better for your business goals.
But how do you choose the best digital marketing agency? What kinds of things should you look for? And what is going to make one agency stand out from the crowd over the others?
What does the Agency’s Website Tell You?
An agency’s website should be your first source for information. Their site should tell you a lot of background info before you even get around to talking with someone. The website should highlight their core competencies, what they feel that they do best. What are your primary needs for your business? Does the agency explain these things on their website?
You want to do your homework on a company before you ever even get to the point of speaking with a salesperson. Their website should be an integral part of that. What a company highlights on their website is going to give you a good and feel of what they do best.
Really Talk with Your Current Agency
If you are already working with an agency and trying to decide whether you should find a different one, this should really be one of your first steps.
When you are an existing client, often that agency does not want to disappoint you. Sometimes this may lead to them saying yes to requests they may not really be able to fulfill. They end up making promises they know they can’t keep.
It has more to do with a company trying to do everything they can to make a client happy, and sometimes some digital agencies will take on more than they can really handle. Find out if this is the case for your agency. Find out if there is any way of reconciling the differences, or if it is best that you look elsewhere.
Make your expectations clear from the beginning. That way, if what you are looking for is beyond their area of expertise, they can be up front about that.
Do Your Homework
Try to have some information and be familiar with an agency before you approach them. Do they list other clients they have worked with on their website? Reach out to them if you can. Find out what they feel the company’s strengths and weaknesses are. What do they do well? Is this in line with what you are looking for?
How are their search rankings? And some companies will leave reviews right in the search rankings. What are other people saying about this agency? Does it sound like their skills are in line with your expectations?
Check References
This goes hand in hand with doing your homework. You can always ask for references. Who have they already worked with? Who are they working with now? What makes them stand out and shine among the many different options that you have?
Once you are armed with all this information, you will be better equipped to make a decision.
Have and Be Clear About Your Expectations
The digital marketing agency you choose needs to be your partner in promoting your businesses and your goods or services. How much time are you willing to put into the partnership? How much are you willing to spend? What skills does your current team have? What skills do they lack?
Don’t make rash impulse decisions. Be sure that you think through what you are looking for and what you need. Think critically about the questions above and know what you are looking for.
What are Your Marketing Requirements?
Do you know what exactly is it that you need? What are you looking for the agency to do?
Some examples might include:
- Web design and development services
- Content creation and writing services
- Maintaining an updating a business blog
- Do you need an SEO consultant?
- Does your business need a fresh and new website?
- Are you in search of social media services?
- Are you looking for local SEO services?
These are just a few examples. Your list may look very different, or be more extensive. Objectives in outsourcing your marketing could include brand awareness, making sure that your branding is consistent, or even increasing traffic to your website, as well as other avenues. Increasing sales leads may be a significant focus for you.
These steps and tips are going to get you heading in the right direction. There are hundreds of different digital marketing agencies out there. However, not all are going to meet the needs of every business out there. If they did, there wouldn’t be so many different options. The most critical steps are going to be that you need to be clear about what you are looking for and do your homework. Don’t act without thinking.
For any questions on learning more about our digital marketing services, you can contact our seo portland team today…503-933-6950!