When it comes to your business, you’re always looking for the right fit. It’s true of candidates, partnerships and especially the digital marketing company you choose to hire. If digital isn’t an area you feel entirely confident discussing, you are not alone.
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Here are some signposts to assist with selecting a digital marketing company
that can propel your business to a new calibre and consistency of clients, through personalised digital strategies.
Understand your needs
The first question your potential digital marketing company is going to ask will be around your needs. This will provide valuable context, and allow the prospecting companies to flesh out which services will add the most value. Perhaps you need to establish a social presence, sell your goods through Google Ads, or simply bring your website into the 21st century. Recognizing what gaps you intend your chosen digital marketing company to target is the first step, so invest time in this research and discussion ahead of your contact.
Establish budget parameters
Without a defined marketing budget to harness your digital vision, selecting a digital marketing company can become a runaway train. Will this digital spend be incremental to your budget, or take up a slice of your existing budget? Your budget parameters won’t necessarily rule you out to select digital marketing companies, but it will determine what sort of activity you can put out into the market and at what volume. Different digital functions will bill at different rates, so don’t believe there is not a digital solution out there for your business.
Account management
Too many businesses have been burnt by agencies who will promise the world, but deliver little more than a few calls a month. Only you will know the intricacies of your business, so make sure these factors are disclosed to your potential digital marketing company so you can determine whether or not the account management style will work for you. Do you plan on always-on branding campaigns, or are you looking to promote specific products that are likely to flex in availability and price? Your account management preference will be a key decider in the company you choose to hire, so make sure you and your digital company are transparent with each other.
Testimonials and reviews
We live in an age where the customer has all the power. And while this isn’t a great reality for all service-based companies, it will allow you to peruse what digital marketing companies come with high recommendation. Don’t just look on a companies testimonial page, also check out their Google reviews, LinkedIn profile, and general social presence. Doing your research will give you a holistic 360 degree outlook, where you can identify businesses similar to your own and find out how they experienced the digital output and experience.
Consider a trial period
Staring down the barrel of a 24 month contract can be daunting. So why not get a taste before you commit? Not all digital marketing companies will be open to trial periods, but it’s worth asking the question. Remember that the trial period pertains to the output and account management, more so than the results. Depending on your digital activity, you will likely not see an immediate jump in conversions or traffic right away. The groundwork will need to be laid, and your business may be a considerable distance behind your immediate competition.
Selecting the right digital marketing company is a shared responsibility of a whole business, so it’s crucial to take your time to shortlist and seek buy-in from all the relevant stakeholders. Any agency worth its salt will tailor their service offerings to the unique nature of your business, so don’t feel the need to fit to their structure.
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