Choosing the right digital marketing agency can be as challenging as doing the calculation for the Apollo rocket launch.
But finding a true agency, not just a vendor is a sign you’re ready for launch.
Here’s a checklist to make sure you’re asking the right questions while vetting a potential digital marketing agency.
Do they have a track record of success?
The first thing you need to do is ask for the digital marketing agency portfolio. Ask for case studies and testimonials from previous clients. The feedback given on these should help you know the strategies employed and their success rate.
You’re going to want case studies that are similar to your own. Experience in your niche is always important but understand your marketing, sales, and business challenges before diving into a portfolio review is much better.
Are you solving a problem with brand awareness? Finding your message? Understanding the competition? The more you understand your needs, the better equipped you are to find a digital marketing agency.
Do they understand how you should grow?
Since you are looking for experts, look for a digital marketing agency that has authority for instance agencies that have worked with startups, small businesses, Fortune 500, Series A, and B funded companies depending on where your business-level is.
They are more likely to understand how marketing will help your company move to the next phase.
Here’s what you should expect from any competent digital marketing agency:
- Deep knowledge of buyer’s journeys, especially in your niche.
- Record of UX development that has met one or more of your specific goals.
- Understanding how to plan, develop, and execute content marketing.
- Proven SEO competence.
- Channel marketing experience in your niche, including email marketing, social media marketing, and paid advertising.
- Proven record of lead generation.
They should be eager to suggest specific strategies for your brand. Other than a portfolio, ask about metrics used to measure the success of their work.
Are they already aligned with what’s important to you? Did they reveal something you haven’t thought of yet? Check if their work is authentic and shows innovation.
How well are they marketing themselves?
A digital marketing agency should practice what they sell. They must first work on their site which will be a good example. Check their design skills.
Do they have an outdated website that looks like it was created 5 years ago? If so, this is a sign that they don’t have an in-house designer which could negatively impact your image.
Check whether their site is mobile-friendly and whether it’s accessible via any device, tablet, mobile, or desktop.
Sign up for their newsletter, download content from their site, or otherwise hand over your email address and see what happens.
Also if you are looking for a digital marketing agency that will help you start a new blog, or optimize an existing blog, confirm that they already have an active blog and that it follows best practices for SEO and content marketing.
This will be good proof that they practice what they sell.
Understand your business needs and offer suggestions on KPIs.
Right from the start, talk numbers with a potential digital marketing agency. The truth is that you will be investing your budget and you need certain results.
They should show you the metrics they will use to achieve your goals. The key performance indicators (KPIs) can be new leads, website visits, and converted new customers among others.
You need to set the target together and ensure the deliverables are clear. Also, strike a balance between branding and your revenue goals as well as other marketing goals that you want to achieve.
Your digital marketing agency should be able to contribute to both your lead generation and sales.
Is it a good personality fit?
Before narrowing down to any specific digital marketing agency, it’s important to meet with their team.
With the rise of remote working, many companies have their team spread all over the world.
They are able to connect with talented digital marketers through video tools such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Teams, and Slack. Moreover, tools like Trello and Asana help make managing remote teams seamless.
With all this technology there is no need to waste time with in-person meetings as you can meet virtually, build relationships, plan together and run the projects together.
The main goal is to build a relationship that will last even after the project ends. All the communication should be open, clear, and with mutual respect.
Does their vision match yours?
Every business has a vision and a goal. The vision of your digital marketing agency should be aligned with yours so that you can help your business achieve the same results.
Read their “home” and “about” pages to see what they believe in, and then look for matches with your business vision. This can help determine if you are well aligned for a fruitful working relationship.
Do they have reviews?
Don’t forget to check reviews to learn what people are saying about that digital marketing agency. Yelp, Google, or any third-party review sites should provide some feedback on well-established businesses.
If you see any negative comments consider bringing it up during the virtual meetings. If there are too many negative reviews on them, this is your cue to take your business elsewhere.
Also, a quick note about positive reviews: the agency is either very good at what they do or those reviewing have been given an incentive to do so.
The discernment here lies in your wariness and in the numbers given from their performance indicators.
Are they partner-focused?
With the rapid change in the digital landscape, you need more than a digital marketing agency but a partner who will walk with you.
A partner who will help develop both short-term and long-term goals, who will connect you with talent, help you build relationships, and help you find marketing solutions.
You need a partner who sees your success as their success.
Over to You
Selecting the best digital marketing agency partner should not be a complex task. But you have to ask yourself any of these questions:
- Do they have a track record of success?
- Do they understand how you should grow?
- How well are they marketing themselves?
- Do they understand your business needs and offer suggestions on KPIs?
- Is it of good personality fit?
- Does your vision match yours?
- Do they have reviews?
- Are they partner-focused?
Working with an external digital marketing agency might be the fuel your business needs to kick it up a notch and move to the next level of growth.
Do you have more tips? Share them in the comment sections. Also, join our newsletter to get the latest marketing tips for online business.
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