The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world hard. Lockdowns and forms of quarantine were enforced in different parts of the world, which, in turn, caused the global economy to suffer. Businesses either retrenched workers or folded altogether. It hasn’t been an easy couple of months, to say the least.
Many business plans were put on hold, and some strategies, like digital marketing, have been put on the back burner. But with restrictions easing up and the world opening up again, now might be a good time revisit that list of digital marketing agencies you were looking to hire.
Here are a few tips to help you make a more informed decision:
How Well Do They Execute Their Strategies?
In other words, do they put money where their mouth is? Digital marketing is still a relatively new field, and many agencies might exploit your limited knowledge about it. They might dazzle you with unfamiliar jargon or bombard you with staggering statistics that might be difficult to wrap your head around.
While these could easily impress you, take a step back and scrutinize what your digital marketing consultant is saying. Ask them about other ways that they were able to successfully execute their strategies. It is, after all, in the execution where the real victory lies. There is nothing wrong with coming up with unusual strategies, but what you should be looking for are impactful and winning digital marketing strategies.
What’s Their Reputation in the Industry?
Do a thorough check about the digital marketing firm you are looking to partner with. If they were recommended by someone on your team, dig deeper. Check out some of their previous clients. Most digital marketing firms would have (should have!) an easy-to-navigate website for you to see past projects and client testimonials. While you’re there, pay attention to the website design. If it’s something that you enjoyed browsing, then chances are good that they could deliver the same quality for your own website.
How Well-Versed are They in Your Industry?
Are you in a niche industry? Don’t fret. It’s highly likely that there is a digital marketing firm out there for your specific industry. If the digital marketing agency you’re talking to is a full-service one, there’s a strong chance that they have also handled clients in your industry. Most agencies have a team of experts in white label SEO, website optimization, and content creation that could help grow your business online.
What’s the Cost?
Perhaps at this point in time, given the current global health crisis, this is the foremost question on your mind as a business owner. Will the end result of your digital marketing strategy justify the cost of the package? Unfortunately, the answer to that will depend largely on your budget. There isn’t a standard pricing model for digital marketing firms, and what could cost $500 at one agency, could cost $1000 or more at another.
Think about what you want and at what stage of the business cycle you are at. It might be a good idea to roll out a big campaign if you are just starting out. If you’ve been in business for a while, pinpoint which areas need more of a marketing push than others. A good digital marketing consultant will work with you to figure out what you truly need.
At the end of the day, you know your business more than anyone. What we have outlined above are just some ways to help you figure out what to look for in a digital marketing firm that you would be proud to work with. The bottom line is that they should work with what you want to achieve and be flexible in how your market responds.