As a business owner, it’s easy to understand that you take your marketing initiatives very personally. You built your company from scratch! That was no small feat, and there’s no question that poorly-done marketing can destroy your company’s reputation in a snap. It can also mean major headaches for you!
When it comes to choosing a digital marketing agency, do your due diligence! Take a smarter approach, because who you choose will affect your final results. Here are ten key questions that you should ask before making that investment:
What is your digital marketing development process?
One of the very first things you’re going to want to find out is more about the system or digital marketing process an agency plans to apply in presenting your online presence. They should have a series of steps and marketing methods in place that can be used to grow your business.
How do you plan to do things differently?
Each market and industry requires a different marketing approach. So, it’s important to ask any potential agency how they plan to do it differently given your particular market, industry and needs. For example, not every business needs an eCommerce website, just as some can benefit from location advertising and others from global internet marketing, etc. Whichever agency you choose will need to know how to adapt and hone in on your specific industry.
How will you communicate reports on progress and results?
A good digital marketing agency must be able to communicate and follow-through with delivery. The agency should have no problem reporting numbers, sales figures and progress of their efforts to bring in new customers. They need to be able to give you real facts when it comes to your overall goals in relation to the intended results.
Can you provide evidence and examples of past successes?
Before you hire an agency, make certain that they’re able to provide evidence of past success with clients. Find out if their digital marketing system actually works in helping clients reach their goals. If so, what does the return look like? Make sure that you’re going to be getting the most return on your investment.
What is your billing structure? Are there recurring fees?
It goes without saying, but you should definitely know how you will be paying for an agency’s services. You need to know if you’re going to be working with a set price that you pay up-front, if there’s a recurring cost per month, or if payment will be a base figure that changes depending on your requests. In other words, how much are an agency’s services really going to cost? Always ask this question, and dig deep to find any additional, hidden figures that might not appear in the initial quote.
What is your policy on revisions, approvals, “rush” orders and additional costs?
This information is crucial. You need to know how an agency plans to handle rush changes, revisions and approval for presented materials, and you need to know if any costs or fees will be added onto the base price if any additional work is needed for any reason.
What can you do to help our company reach new goals?
The whole point of investing in digital marketing is to grow your business through an online presence. Therefore, you need to know how a new approach is going to help you reach your goals. If a potential agency doesn’t have a clear picture for you, then they are not the agency for you.
What do we get with a digital marketing program designed by your agency?
Make sure that you understand the extent of what your digital marketing program entails. Will you be getting a website, web development and maintenance, social media management, content marketing, sales analysis, etc.? How many working hours will you get each month, and how will that time be spent? Make sure you understand who is responsible for what.
How will you get to know our business, industry, market, and customers?
The only way to customize a marketing strategy for a new client or business is by targeting their customer base, market and industry. So, how will a potential agency get to know yours? What kind of market research will they be doing? Be upfront, and ask them exactly how they plan to do this.
What is your plan to execute your digital marketing strategy, and how is it different from our current approach?
In order for any agency to understand your current marketing state and strategy, you need to present your own past efforts and approach. Then, ask how they plan to do it differently. Remember, you’re in need of a change, not the same old thing. Your new digital marketing agency should be able to present a brand-new approach to get the job done.
While these are our suggested questions to ask any potential digital marketing firm before you sign, remember that no question is too big or small. If they can’t answer fully and to your satisfaction, then keep looking. It’s your business, after all!
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