April 3, 2018
We’ve all had that moment where we realize, “hey, I don’t have the tools or expertise to do this.” When a quick Google search or a call to your mom doesn’t help, it’s time to reach out to the experts.
Realizing your business doesn’t have the digital marketing expertise necessary to take care of your site? Time to go to an agency. Whether you’re looking to hire a digital marketing agency for the first time or you’re switching providers, keep the following tips in mind to ensure that you pick the right fit for your company.
How do I even start?
First, create a short list of agencies that you’re interested in. This will help guide your research process. Then, create a list of the must-have traits your agency needs to have. Google Premier Partner status to get early access to betas? Familiarity with your industry? No matter what these are, mark them down.
This kind of prep will save you time, effort, and a lot of screen-induced headaches. If you need more details on vetting agencies, our Director of Business Operations Laura Cain did a fantastic job in walking through the process in this blog post.
Key performance indicators
While you may know you’re looking for the items you listed, there are other traits to look for.
-Willingness to change
When looking for a digital marketing agency, it’s so important to look for an agency that stimulates and fosters change.
Wondering how to look for this? It often comes out in calls and in-person meetings. Agencies that do the due diligence of asking questions about the inner mechanisms of your company and finding out your unique “story” demonstrate that they’re truly interested in custom strategies for you.
You should also be ready to ask about the agency’s workflow, process, timelines, and how they adapt to industry updates. Their answers will help you discern if they’re adaptable.
-Company culture
Company culture matters when hiring an agency. Our Director of Business Development Tim Wagner explains it all here, but here’s the lowdown: a strong company culture leads to a strong agency partnership.
When perusing agency sites, check out their about page and look for signs of core values and a true investment in culture. If they invest in their team, they’ll invest in you, too.
-Strong self-representation
Digital marketing agencies should be digitally savvy. Sounds like a given, but it’s not. A clean, clear website is a must. For example, if you’re looking at SEO agencies, their site should practice what they preach. Look for intuitive UX, great blogs, and strong meta data.
Digging deeper
The above KPIs aren’t all you should look for. Dig deeper and explore the following:
-Thoughtfully examine case studies
-Explore testimonials and research their clients
-Check out their awards
-Find out if they’re listed in top directories like Clutch.co
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By following these tips, you’ll avoid the stress that often comes with choosing an agency partner. Best of luck!
Psst. If you’re in the market for an agency, contact us.
Business Development Manager
Amedeo Zanotti hails from Asuncion, Paraguay and is a current senior at Loyola University Chicago. His dream superpower is telekinesis, but he has some real-world superpowers, too—he’s fluent in Italian and is a really good cook.