Deciding to hire an internet marketing agency is easy. The hard part is deciding which internet marketing company to hire.
In today’s world, anyone with an internet connection can build a website and start providing services as an entrepreneur. Access barriers are small for nothing.
This is exactly what makes choosing the right internet marketing agency so deceptive. However, I know a few things that can help make the decision-making process easier.
In this article, I cover what to look for, what to avoid, how to make the most of your internet marketing agency, and my top recommendations. But first, let’s start at the beginning.
Know your goals and the results you want
Every business is different, just like all online retail organizations. Internet marketing agency tend to focus on one or two areas. And while many of them are “fully operational,” they generally prefer projects within their specialty.
So the first step in choosing the right internet marketing agency is to understand your goals and what you hope to achieve by working with one.
It can be easy to divide this into an output, the purpose of the output, and the outcome you hope to achieve. Knowing these things helps you to talk about what you want to achieve in the project.
And when the agency knows what you want, they know they can really help you without wasting anyone’s time.
Here are some examples of making your wheels turn.
Example # 1: Automated Company Blog
Pretend you want to hire an agency that will help you build a content marketing plan. Finally, you want a blog that stays automated without the work you need.
- Delivery: fully managed content management system, strategy, and system
- The goal: to attract more relevant visitors to your website with high-quality content
Final result: 100% personal blog
From there, you can start looking for companies that fit the bill because you know exactly what you want and how to link to the results you want.
Example # 2: Training Your Team on Infected Videos
Maybe you’re interested in creating a series of marketing videos that you can use on social media and on your website but don’t know how to do it or where to start.
You also want someone to train you in this process.
- Released: a series of on-brand promotional videos with similar views
- The goal: connect with your new offering in a fun and engaging way for your audience
- Final result: a finished product and knowing how to do it yourself
Now, you can take a closer look at the internet marketing agency that is willing to train you. Training is very effective, so not all video marketing agencies can do this.
But because you know what you want, you can get it right. Imagine the frustration of hiring someone and realize that he or she will not (or will not) give you what you really want.
That’s why it’s important to identify your goals and the results you want before doing anything else.
How to Find the Right Internet Marketing Agency
There are countless “full service” structures that provide every type of service you can think of under one roof. … Sounds good, but I don’t recommend hiring them.
Why? It makes more sense to think about other industries.
Example # 1: Would you like to hire a regular contractor or custom porch expert to build a customized booth for your home? An expert, isn’t it?
Example # 2: Who do you see if you have certain medical problems that need attention? An expert on that particular problem. Or you are referred by your general care physician.
Leading internet marketing agency do one or two things with their other services such as add-ons or secondary options.
So, choose a glossy internet marketing agency that focuses on the types of services you want to get the best results and the extra bang for your bucket.
7 Features that make up a major internet marketing agency
Now you know what your goals are and the results you want. So, it’s time to talk about what makes the best internet marketing agency… good.
Therefore, consider these factors as you continue the process of deciding who you want to work with. They will help you evaluate quality service providers for those who claim to be the best without proof of support.
Let’s get in!
1. Large portfolio and past customer list
Wise internet marketing agency are proud of who they work with and the work they do. Moreover, they show their cooperation so that the world can see it.
You do not need to know who their previous clients are (bonus points if you do). But if you can’t find a list of previous clients or examples of their work, that could mean they’ve never worked with anyone.
This is fine when you are on a budget. But it is not good if you want the best.
That said, other types of services are not easy to display, such as content marketing and SEO. Therefore, agencies focused on those areas may not be able to reflect their work in the portfolio.
However, the customer list is a good indicator of their knowledge.
2. Experienced and special team members
No matter what kind of services you pursue, it is important to make sure that the agency you hire has the right team members that are right for your project.
For example, you wouldn’t hire someone to design a logo if they didn’t have a designer. Look at their page about how they counted their team members there.
And if not, LinkedIn is also a great place to look. Start by searching for an agency. Then click on “People” to see a list of everyone working there.
3. Social evidence and strong sector reputation
Social evidence, such as testimonials and previous customer reviews, can give you a deeper understanding of how it works with that agency.
In addition, smart marketers understand the importance of displaying social evidence on their websites. So, if you don’t get anything, they may not have previous customers, or they may not understand the industry the way you want them to.
In addition to positive reviews, negative or neutral reviews can also shed light on areas where the agency is struggling to gain a clearer understanding of its work.
Lastly, you can search in-depth reviews on Google to see what others in the industry (and their past customers) have to say about their experience with the agency.
4. Basic values consistent with company culture
Take a moment to review your company’s core values and culture. Why? Because it is important to work with an online marketing organization that values the same things and works in the same place.
Doing so ensures that they work and work well with your team. Ultimately, an agency is an extension of your business. Choosing an agency with the right standards and values is as important as considering the quality of their work.
The last thing you want is pressure to work with a group of people who do not value the same things or work the same way.
Look at the words and sentences used by the agency to describe what they are doing. Does this match your basic values and the results you expect to see?
If not, go to an agency that feels better.
5. A well-designed website
Your website is like a comfortable introduction that makes people feel welcome. Leading digital marketers know how important a well-designed website is. So, if they are not doing well in-house projects, why would you expect them to bring you the best you can?
This is especially true if they provide website development or building services. So, check out their website and listen to your trends.
If it does not feel right or seems to be of low quality, it is best to go to an agency that reports good design and submits a unique user experience.
6. They do not make unusual promises
The kind of results an agency promises on their website is a strong indication of how well they understand the industry.
For example, anyone who claims to be quick to follow your path to the first place on Google does not know that SEO is a long-term and short-term marketing strategy. Or that it requires ongoing work to maintain it.
So, that is probably not the person you should hire to help improve your website. Observe the claims and promises they make.
Make sure they match what you know about the industry. And remember the odd or seemingly impossible promises the big red flag.
Stick to internet marketing agency that offers transparency and realistic promises.
7. And it is easy to communicate with them
Excellent digital advertising agencies make it as easy as possible for potential customers to contact them. Navigating their website should not sound like a maze,
In the whole world, their contact details are not far away with a single click no matter where you are. And they give a clear call to action, so you know what to do next.
In addition, your first step should be clearly marked. Do they want you to arrange a consultation? Maybe you should fill out a contact form for more information or a custom quote.
If you don’t see or have trouble finding out how things work, consider choosing an internet marketing agency that makes the process easier.
How to work with an internet marketing agency
There are a few things you can do as a client to maximize your results and get the most out of your strategic partnership with an internet marketing agency.
Doing these things helps to set the stage for effective and efficient collaboration at all stages of the project.
Organize your team and do your homework
It is important that everyone is on the same page. Therefore, have a meeting with your team and let them know the size of your new project or cooperate with enough time to prepare it.
If you owe the agency anything, make sure you spend time with it and do it well. They need to learn the ins and outs of your business, and this is your chance to put everything on the table.
This lays the foundation for the entire project, so do not rush through the material. Understand the scope, process, and timeline
Before a project begins, make sure that everyone involved contributes to the scope and timeline before moving on. This is your job as long as it belongs to your organization.
In addition, many digital marketing projects fall into these four categories:
- Discovery and research
- Project planning
- Execution
- Update, results, and offboarding
Provide details of each step with your team and agency so that everything is clear before the project begins.
Don’t expect a hand-held experience
Excellent digital marketing projects are very collaborative.
In addition, your input, your thoughts, and ideas help move the project forward in the right way to match the results you want.
Some agencies and projects work more closely together than others. So make sure you understand what they need from you throughout the project.
It can help to find a dedicated point of view with a team or team member who is ready to manage a project. Having someone who is easily accessible helps to ensure that you don’t hold things to your end.
Be prepared to lose control
It is important to remember that the agency you hire is very good at what they do, and you hire them for a reason – their expertise.
This means giving them full control over certain aspects of the project to let them do what they do best. It is also important to listen to what they have to say. If they have a reason for doing something, remind yourself that they are experts.
You don’t have to agree, but it’s worth keeping an open mind.
Ask questions
If you have never worked with an internet marketing agency before, you will see and hear many new things. And it is very common if you do not understand everything that is going on.
The best thing you can do is ask questions. Maybe you do not know why they have chosen this color over and over. Or there’s a piece of data you can’t find. Maybe someone said something silly to you.
There is nothing wrong with not knowing. However, asking about things you are not sure about is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more. It is also helpful to clear up any doubts.
The Top 5 Internet Marketing Agencies
1. Webfx
2. Smart Sites
3. Social SEO
4. Mabbly
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