If you aren’t a marketer yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a digital marketing agency as your business grows. An agency’s experience and expertise can do great things for your marketing efforts, and outsourcing your marketing will free you up to focus on more pressing aspects of running your business. But you shouldn’t just go with the first marketing agency you find. It’s important to make sure you’re spending your money wisely before you make a decision. Ask yourself these five questions to figure out whether a digital marketing agency is a good match for your business.
- What kind of experience does the agency have?
Search the agency’s website to find out how long they’ve been in business and what kind of clients they typically work with. Ideally, you should look for an agency that has at least a few years of experience and works with businesses similar to yours. It’s a big plus if the agency has worked with big-name clients, since that’s a good indication that they know how to get results.
In general, it’s best to avoid brand-new agencies, even if they’re offering low prices. New agencies are a gamble in terms of what you’ll get for your money, and it’s generally better to spend a little more on a company you can trust to deliver good results.
- Does this agency have a proven track record of success?
Find out what kind of results the agency has gotten for their past clients. You may be able to find case studies and statistics about the agency’s work on their website. While these can be valuable resources, keep in mind that anything a company posts on their own site is likely to be cherry-picked to represent them in a favorable light. Because of this, it’s a good idea to request references from the agency, so you can talk to some of their former clients yourself.
- What is this agency like to work with?
Another good reason to request references: you can get the inside scoop on what the agency’s customer service is like. An agency might be a team of brilliant people, but if their former clients say they’re terrible to work with, you might want to reconsider your decision to hire them. Look for an agency that has a reputation for being pleasant, communicating clearly, and doing work on time.
- Does the agency market itself effectively?
Pay attention to the agency’s own marketing strategy – it’s an indication of what you can expect if you work with them. Look over their website copy, check out their blog, and see if you can find them on social media. If you’re thinking about hiring them for a specific purpose, such as SEO, see how they’re doing in that area. If the agency you’re looking at comes off as unprofessional or lazy in their own marketing efforts, you might want to give them a pass.
- Can this agency do what you need it to do?
Make sure the agency you’re considering can deliver the specific marketing services you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re trying to improve your content marketing efforts, you probably wouldn’t want to hire an agency that specializes in running PPC campaigns. Read the agency’s website carefully and talk to the references they provide to make sure their expertise fits your needs.
Hiring a digital marketing agency for the first time is a big step, so take it seriously. Investigate each agency you’re interested in thoroughly, and talk to other business owners who have worked with those agencies before. If you make a smart choice, your business will likely benefit for years to come.
