Digital marketing agencies have become the go-to resource for small businesses looking to bring in new clients and expand their market share. However, just because a company claims to be an agency doesn’t mean it should be your first choice when it comes to marketing solutions. Here are the top five things that make a digital marketing agency great.
Attention to Detail
People who run digital agencies need to be detail-oriented. Mistakes can cost clients big money, so you want to find someone who will go above and beyond for your business. Look at past work and ask questions; if you’re uncomfortable with what you see or hear, move on. You don’t have time to fix sloppy mistakes when you could have been investing in more valuable solutions. In addition, most projects come with unexpected roadblocks—it’s good to know that your team has a plan of action for those moments when plans go awry.
You want people who are capable of handling any problem—and even more importantly, communicating clearly about how they intend to solve it—without leaving you in the dark. Be sure to look for small details, like spelling errors and typos on company websites or LinkedIn profiles. If an agency isn’t paying attention to details now, why would they do so once they have your money?
Communication Skills
A great team knows how to communicate well. Clients are paying you to understand them and work towards their vision, so it’s critical that you can speak clearly, organize your thoughts in a logical way, and listen when needed. Knowing what to say and how best to say it can set apart good agencies from great ones. At its core, communication is about getting an idea across without alienating or losing your audience.
This skill isn’t something that just comes naturally—it takes practice! As such, one of our top recommendations for becoming a better communicator is taking public speaking classes. Not only will they help you become more comfortable talking with others in front of crowds (which will come in handy as you network and pitch), but they’ll also teach you how to get people on board with your ideas. You might even find yourself enjoying public speaking once you start taking classes!
Proven Results
If you want to find a great digital marketing agency, look for one with proven results. Be wary of new companies with limited client lists and case studies. Instead, find an established firm with lots of happy clients and success stories to tell. When you’re deciding whether or not to hire your chosen company, you want to be sure they’ve already gotten similar clients like yours to attain certain results.
What did those clients do? How much did it cost them? What were their results? The more information you have about their past successes, the better equipped you are to choose a winning team. In addition, if your chosen company has multiple case studies on their website detailing exactly how they got other clients in similar situations to achieve what you want, then you can feel confident in hiring them. Just remember: if they don’t have any proof of successful work yet, there’s no way to know if they will be able to help you too!
Focus on Client Needs, Not Just Commissions
When choosing a digital marketing agency, look for one that prioritizes your needs—not their profits. If a prospective agency can’t provide you with any proof of happy clients (preferably in writing), avoid them like the plague. The same goes for agencies who ask for huge upfront payments; if they’re focused on getting paid before they get results, it may not be worth your time or money. On top of that, reputable firms should have a proven track record and some industry recognition to back up their claims.
For example, if an agency promises to drive thousands of new customers to your website. But has no case studies or client testimonials to prove it works, consider moving on. It’s also important to note that just because an agency is located near you doesn’t mean they will work well with your business model or understand your unique brand. Always do thorough research before signing any contracts.
Proactive Approach and Openness to New Ideas/Technologies
Digital technologies are changing at an unprecedented rate. The speed of change is only going to increase as technology advances into new areas and becomes embedded in every aspect of our lives. To stay ahead of your competition, it’s important for agencies to be proactive about identifying new opportunities and keeping up with trends. Agencies should also have open lines of communication between departments so they can respond quickly when something needs to change.
This can help them gain the trust of clients who will appreciate their ability to adapt quickly. A great example of how fast things can change is how social media has changed over just a few years. No one could have predicted how quickly Facebook would grow or how fast people would shift toward mobile devices. An agency that understands social media now will be well-positioned to meet its clients’ future needs.
