The widespread use of the internet has certainly changed the way business is conducted online. An online business presence is no longer a choice; it is essential if a business wishes to survive in a competitive market. There are several digital marketing channels that are being used these days for reaching target audiences all over the world. The problem is that most businesses lack the time or expertise to not just creating, but implementing and maintaining their digital marketing strategies. This is where digital marketing agencies can prove to be a blessing in disguise. These agencies have been around for some years now and are constantly adapting to the ever-changing marketing trends and opportunities.
They provide a range of digital skills, which can free you from dealing with any sort of marketing online. However, this can only happen when you choose the right agency.
Recently one of my friends called me up, seeking advice on how to choose a digital marketing agency. With my experience in blogging, SEO and content marketing, I was able to share a few tips that I have learned over the years. He advised me to write a short post on this topic and here we are!
Following are a few questions that you should consider when looking at the various digital marketing agencies, before selecting one.
Are they skilled?
There are a plethora of agencies that claim to be skilled in all things digital, but most of them act just like a mediator. You need to find out if they are really experts by going through their blogs, signing up for their email newsletter or simply asking them to take a look at your website. If they are truly talented, they will be able to provide you some actionable tips instantly and a few other ideas for improvement. If an agency is able to explain complicated digital procedures on their website along with their benefits, it is a good chance they have the necessary skill set you are looking for.
Are they updated?
Unless you are an industry expert yourself, this can be a bit difficult to ascertain. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any means of researching. Take a look at their blog to see how frequently they update it with industry news. Check the ‘About Us’ section on their website to see if they are members of some industrial bodies or organizations. You also need to check their activity level on social media such as the number of followers they have on Twitter, the number of Facebook likes on their page etc. These can serve as good indicators of their influence in the digital marketing industry.
Do they offer measurable insights?
Most businesses typically expect some exposure to the management of their account and a good level of communication with an agency. Ideally, a digital marketing agency should allocate a consultant to your account who will serve as your primary contact. Any agency should also be able to provide you with in-depth reporting and regular performance indicators about their activities to show you exactly why you are spending your money on digital marketing. You need to ensure that you are getting a return on investment or else you will simply be wasting your money.
You can also consider the performance guarantees, cost and contract length being offered by digital marketing agencies in order to choose one for your online marketing needs.
If you have any more suggestions on this topic, feel free to share it with us in the comment section below.