So, after weeks of careful deliberation, you’ve finally reached a decision, and it’s a decision you believe can take your business further to success: you’re hiring a digital marketing agency!
Now what? With hundreds and hundreds of agencies out there, how will you know which one’s the perfect match for you? How can you be 100% sure that you’re choosing the right digital marketing agency?
Well, wonder no more as this post has the answers you’re looking for! We’ve put together a five-step guide that will help you find a top-notch digital marketing agency in UK that will guarantee you nothing but the best results.
Before we can go through each of those pointers, however, let’s discuss the different qualities that make an excellent digital marketing company. That way, you’ll be able to vet out leading service providers from those who say they’re the best without any solid evidence to back their claims. Let’s begin!
Key Qualities to Look For
What qualifies as a superb digital marketing agency is a question many businesses often ask. And, assuming that everyone else reading this has that exact question in mind, we’ve come fully prepared with a handy list of traits to keep an eye on.
- A Team of Highly Skilled and Experienced Members
Let’s be honest. Investing in an internet marketing firm that lacks the right people will only lead you to spend money for nothing. You wouldn’t want to hire an agency that doesn’t have a single social media marketer if one of your goals is to grow your social following, would you?
The best agencies come with talented folks who specialize in one field. They have SEO specialists, content creators, web developers and designers, social media marketers, and more. This enables them to assist with every aspect of your marketing – from setting up your small business marketing software so you can improve the efficiency of your business’s marketing efforts, to creating high-ranking fresh content for you to post on all your platforms.
- A Strong Industry Reputation
A good digital marketing agency is one that has a positive image, and that’s a no-brainer. That said, you want to look for social proof in the form of client reviews and testimonials on their website. Elevate Digital is a reputable marketing agency with a strong online presence and a history of delivering outstanding results for their clients.
In case you can’t find any, it could be due to either of these two reasons: they have no previous clients or they may not understand the industries as well as you’ve hoped them to.
Aside from their site, you should read their Google reviews as well. You’ll discover what their past clients and others in the industry had to say about their experiences with the agency.
- A Portfolio and/or List of Former Clients
Smart digital marketing companies like Digital Resource are proud of their work and the people they’ve worked with. That’s why they flaunt a portfolio of their completed projects and partnerships for the whole world to see.
While you don’t necessarily have to know who their past clients are, it’s crucial that you find a list just to prove their legitimacy, especially if you’re searching for the best of the best.
Then again, certain services like SEO and content marketing aren’t easy to display, which means agencies specializing in those areas won’t be able to showcase their work in a portfolio. In such cases, a client list will do.
- A Well-Designed and Easy-to-Navigate Website
Building beautiful and intuitive websites is one of the specialties of a digital marketing agency. So, it makes perfect sense that their own site should also be beautiful and intuitive. Otherwise, interested clients such as yourself would only be left wondering if they’re really the real deal and worth investing in.
Finding a Digital Marketing Agency That Will Help Your Business Thrive
Now that you’re aware of the four core qualities to look for in an agency, let’s move on to the main topic of this post: the how’s of picking an agency that suits you best. Follow these five steps and you’ll be on your way to scoring a partnership with
- Set Your Goals
First things first, ask yourself why you need to hire a digital marketing agency. Having a clear understanding of your goals will make your search much easier as you’re able to express yourself properly.
What goals do you wish to achieve? Looking to expand your audience through PPC ads? Want to improve your website’s online visibility and organic traffic? Or perhaps, create brand awareness that will eventually lead to more profits?
- Research Your Options
Once you’ve identified your goals, your next move is to research the agencies you’re considering. You obviously don’t want to work with someone who has no proof of solid experience or a company that isn’t in line with your goals and prospects.
Conducting in-depth research will save you time and money in the long run. That’s because it allows you to gauge which digital marketing agency is reliable and which one isn’t really as promising based on what you’re seeing on their websites.
So, what should you be looking for as you’re doing your research? Here’s what:
- Testimonials: Read what former clients are saying about their experience with the agency. No testimonials in sight could imply they haven’t worked with anyone yet, or they haven’t produced any satisfied client.
- Case studies: It’s not uncommon for agencies to post case studies to show everyone how they were able to help their clients reach their goals. If you can’t find any, look for another service provider.
- Reviews: Third-party sites like Google and Yelp are credible sources to find business reviews. Compare these non-affiliated comments to those posted from the official sites of the agencies. Are they just as stellar?
- Ask the Agency to Provide Proof of Their Work
Perhaps the best way to measure the capabilities and success of a digital marketing agency is by looking at the concrete evidence they’ll provide. Firms that are willing to share their work and results without second thoughts are excellent candidates.
As much as possible, look for an agency that will not only give you a portfolio of their latest projects, but one that will also craft you a well-thought-out strategy that’s meant to reach your business goals. Ask for examples of their work that are relevant to your needs and expectations.
- Make Sure the Agency Values You as a Client
It’s important to remember that not all online marketing companies value their clients. There are teams that want to be in control of the entire project, keeping their clients out of the loop.
A prominent agency is one that frequently asks you questions. It shows that they’re eager and genuine in helping your business succeed. If they’ve asked about the vision you have for your site, the tone you prefer for your content, or the type of audience you’re targeting, then you know you’ll be in good hands.
Avoid digital marketing companies who see you as just a number. You want to go for one that views you as a business in need of professional assistance. Their team shouldn’t have any problem explaining things that are alien to you, especially since you have little or no background in the field.
- Plan Your Budget
Finally, consider the cost you’re willing to pay for the agency’s services. Don’t hesitate to discuss money matters during your consultation, and let them know the amount you expect to spend during the duration of your collaboration. Don’t let them convince you into spending more than you can afford. Be wise and stick to your budget.