Why it’s important to find the right agency

There are so many digital agencies out there, many of which promise incredible returns for a suspiciously low outlay, while others are charging the earth but have little to prove they’re worth it. It takes time to find the right one, but it is time well spent.

A good digital marketing agency keeps abreast of the latest trends in marketing. While they have the tools and technology to develop powerful marketing strategies and deliver superior campaigns time and time again, in-house marketing teams rarely achieve the same returns.

When choosing an agency, you want one that has plenty of experience. Ideally, you will create a partnership for the long term. The right agency will take time to become familiar with you, understand your business, and market your brand effectively. Ultimately, the right agency will undertake appropriate marketing efforts to take your business to the next level.

Can they offer the services you need?

It’s important to decide whether you need a search engine optimised (SEO) website, advertising, a regular blog, a PR campaign, or a complete digital marketing strategy. Do you want to increase your brand presence, or do you have a product to promote? You must also think about whether the agency can meet your needs at the price you’re willing to pay.

An agency with a good track record should be able to show you a case study that demonstrates its ability to deliver the right marketing campaign for your business. If they cannot, this is a red flag.

Do you need a specialist service? Do they provide it?

You owe it to your business to ensure that the people undertaking the various parts of the marketing mix have experience in their subject. The person building your website ought to be a specialist in that area and therefore should not be writing the content, and the person writing your slogan, should not be designing your logo.

Your agency should have specialists with years of training and experience behind them and the only suitable agency is the one that offers the specialisms your business needs.

Do you need a local agency, or would virtual work?

Using an agency local to you is beneficial for business owners who like regular in-person meetings. Also, if you are only looking at marketing to the local area, then a local agency has the advantage of knowing the audience. They will already have relationships with other local organisations that could benefit you, and they are more likely to give local business owners more individual attention.

For added convenience, your local agency should offer the convenience of online meetings to save time and reduce costs.

Whilst a virtual agency’s fees might be lower, the quality of service can be inconsistent. Staff may be scattered around the globe causing miscommunication through language barriers, while different time zones can present difficulties when arranging meetings. Moreover, when you conduct business online, data security becomes an issue.

Do they usually work within your sector?

It can be beneficial to find an agency that has experience in your industry but if they have not, it should not be an instant deal breaker. Ask them how they propose to learn about your industry, the market, your competitors, and what initial ideas they have. Ask them if they’ve previously been in a similar position of having a customer from an industry in which they’d had no experience. How did they deal with it and what was the outcome?

Do they offer services within your budget?

A good agency will deliver the best service possible on the budget you set. Even if you don’t have the budget for a prime-time television commercial, a good agency can build a targeted and effective social media campaign at a fraction of the cost.

Is the information they share easy to understand?

One of the best things a business can do for its prospective customers is speak to them in clear and simple terms that everyone can understand. Agencies that fill their web pages with flowery language and technical jargon are trying to look impressive but in fact, are showing disrespect for customers. If an agency’s offering isn’t clear to you from the outset, perhaps you should look elsewhere.

Do they have customer reviews or industry feedback?

A stunning website and a dazzling sales pitch are impressive, but if the agency can’t supply testimonials, it’s a red flag. If they have good reviews that’s great, but if you find negative reviews, don’t be afraid to quiz the agency about them.

Next steps…

The agency you choose should be one that can deliver the services you require, at the price you’re willing to pay. They will talk to you in plain language and instil in you a sense of confidence. They will also have a proud track record and a portfolio of shining examples of past successes.

If you have a business that you are just getting off the ground or an established one that you are ready to take to the next level, Elixirr Digital has the skills, the tools, and the experience to help you flourish.