Even the strongest proponents of conventional marketing would have to agree that modern-day marketing is a battle that needs to be fought on two fronts. Yes, a fancy billboard on top of a building still helps, but you can reach an even greater audience by dipping your toes in the waters of digital marketing.
So, you spend some time on the internet and set up some social media profiles for your business. “That ought to take care of it!” you could think with a smile on your face. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that just ain’t going to cut it!
You need a dedicated team that will help you navigate digital marketing hurdles. Professionals can devise the perfect digital marketing strategy for your business and give it the revitalizing touch to hit your goals.
But, hiring a digital marketing agency is no walk in the park. You need to evaluate what the company has to offer, check out its past work, and make sure the partnership will actually benefit your endeavors. Here’s a step-by-step guideline for selecting the right digital marketing agency.
Do a Quick Google Search
Do a google search for the best digital marketing agencies. The first search page should give you a list of names to pursue. Shortlist four or five agencies and dig deeper into their records.
Check Their Own Digital Presence
Remember, you are hiring a company to brush up on your online appearance. So, you better be impressed with their online presence! Check how good of a job they did to brand their own business.
Let’s say you want to hire a company for local SEO. If the agency is located in West Palm Beach, Florida, search the term” best digital marketing agency West Palm Beach.” If the agency doesn’t pop up in the top-3 local pack, it did not do a foolproof job of marketing itself.
Also, have a look at the social media accounts and the websites. Do they seem engaging enough? Are the websites user-friendly? These are the questions you need to ask while assessing the online presence of a digital marketing agency.
Check Out Their History
The best digital agencies never shy away from bragging about their previous accomplishments. You are likely to come across some gleaming reviews on a company’s site. Reach out to the clients mentioned in the reviews and authenticate the claims made in the reviews.
An agency that does not want to disclose its history is bad news. It could mean one of two possible things. It does not have much experience in the field or the projects they previously undertook went haywire.
Assess The Company’s Team And Services
Top digital marketing agencies will give you access to some of the finest minds in the business. Check the credentials of the company’s team members to make sure your business is in the best hands.
Digital marketing is not a small field, and it’s continuously expanding. So, a digital marketing agency should have an assortment of specialists. For instance, a person specializing in web design will not have the same expertise in, say, social media marketing.
Hence, you will want to hire a company that has a diverse set of experts on its payroll. For example, if you need a particular service, like local SEO, make sure the company has a dedicated local SEO expert.
Talk To Them
Request a meeting. A company that is easy to reach is always preferable. If you have a hard time getting hold of any representatives, you should steer right away. Seamless communication is integral to establishing an effective business relationship.
If you do get to have a sitdown, expect a lot of questions. The company should get as much information about your business and try to pitch you a strategy. Answer the questions with patience and pay close attention to the proposals they make.
You should ask them some questions yourself. What KPIs do they focus on? How would the agency brief you about the progress? What should be your expected rate of investment (ROI)? Will they be easily reachable to remedy any emergencies?
The agency should convince you that they have a specific plan for your business. A professional digital marketer will not tell you fairytales. If they make unrealistic promises, that’s a major red flag.
Expect to leave the meeting with a clear understanding of the company’s vision. Don’t let them distract you with useless shop talk. Only consider moving forward with the agency if you feel like you are on the same wavelength.
Final Say
To find the best digital marketing agency, you will have to do a good deal of research. If you follow the steps we recommended here, we are confident you will find the right agency for the job.
