How To Hire A Digital Marketing Agency – Important Things To Consider
Contributor: Gene Marks
For most small businesses, hiring an outside marketing firm or even an independent consultant is a very, very risky thing to do.
That’s because most small businesses really can’t afford the retainers that these marketing firms charge to do their jobs effectively. Marketing is mostly art, not science.
Sure, it requires much data and analysis. However, it’s also about testing, creating, innovating, and trying out new things. A good marketing firm should bring all of that to your relationship.
However, doing all these things takes time and it’s mostly a trial and error situation. I’ve worked with many marketing firms and consultants who have failed to make a difference for my firm.
In every case, the fault was mine, not theirs. I was not willing to pay – in both time and money – for the efforts truly needed to make our marketing relationship a success. Have I learned? I think so.
Starting An Online Business? Build It On .Online!
Lessons Learned
Here’s what I learned: for most small business clients that ask me about hiring a marketing firm I usually tell them not to. But if they insist then I always ask them to ask their prospective marketing firm one simple question:
How do I measure your success?
There has to be some quantitative method for determining whether or not your investment is achieving its return.
- Maybe you’re just interested in increasing views to your blog or visits to your website.
- Maybe you want more people to download your videos.
- Maybe your focus is on actual, warm, potentially revenue-generating leads.
These are just some of the metrics that will be important.
So what’s important to you?
Pick that one metric. Don’t overdo it. Don’t make it too complicated.
Establish a baseline: we have 100 visitors to our website every week or we are getting about 5 email leads per week.
Determine a goal: we want to increase our weekly website visitors to 125 in the next 90 days or we want to be getting 7 email leads per week).
Make those goals rational. Set a timeline.
Then…discuss with your potential marketing firm.
- Are these goals reasonable?
- Can you achieve them in the timeline I want?
- What would be your approach?
- What tasks will you be undertaking to achieve those goals?
It all rolls up into your original, and most important, question: how do I measure your success?
Some marketers will push back on this. They say that they can’t guarantee results. I get this. But I also believe there must be some accountability. And there’s no better accountability than a specific, black-and-white, deliverable metric. Just one.
What happens if that metric isn’t achieved? Well, that’s between you and your marketing firm. Maybe there’s a good reason. Maybe you want to try for another 90 days. Maybe you have a hunch. But at least you’ve got a plan and you’ve got a basis for evaluating how successful your relationship is.
I don’t buy into the premise that marketing is so esoteric that results can’t be measured and evaluated. Of course, there’s no guarantee of outcome, just like there’s no guarantee that surgery will be successful or an inventory item will sell. But it either is or it does or it’s just not.
You can’t make investment decisions otherwise and the same principle applies to your marketing investments.
Starting An Online Business? Build It On .Online!
Hiring a digital marketing agency for your online business marketing can be a solution to a lot of business challenges. With the drastic changes in the global economy, most businesses are looking for new strategies and rising online.
Since people are spending the majority of their time on the Internet, you already have an audience that may show an interest in your brand and consider engaging with your products or services.
According to a report, 95 percent of the purchases will be through eCommerce by 2040. People are shifting their attention to the Internet which makes it crucial for you to invest in hiring a digital marketing agency.
While setting up a marketing department for your business is a good idea, it’s also daunting for many. You may need to spend money, hire experts, test different strategies, and so on.
There are a lot of factors that one needs to consider when taking their business online. This makes it difficult to shift the majority of their focus on online marketing.
However, there is an alternative to this – hiring a digital marketing agency for your online business.
Why Should You Consider Hiring A Digital Marketing Agency For Your Online Business?
Setting up an online business and a marketing department goes hand in hand. You can’t build a strong online presence and increase the website traffic if no one knows about it. But most entrepreneurs do not have the time or the resources to focus only on marketing
The solution to this is to hire a digital marketing agency for your online business marketing to experts and focus solely on online business development and operations.
Outsourcing has a lot of benefits, such as:
- Hiring experts who have years of experience working in a specific niche
- Saving time and using it for managing other verticals of your online business
- Cutting down the costs associated with setting up an internal marketing wing
- Developing connections with industry experts residing in different parts of the world
The 4-Step Procedure For Hiring A Digital Marketing Agency For Your Online Business
Since you are outsourcing your online business marketing operations to a third party, you have to follow a foolproof method that ensures maximum output.
Follow these four steps to hiring a digital marketing agency in a successful manner.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Online marketing encompasses various verticals, such as – content marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, etc. The question is which of these verticals are most suitable for promoting your online business in the best way?
The answer lies in the goals and objectives you plan to accomplish.
For example, if your goal is to generate one hundred qualified leads in three months who are interested in your HR management software, you can focus on content marketing and PPC advertising.
Similarly, if you want to gain ten thousand Instagram followers in six months, you can opt for social media marketing (you can make this more effective through social media automation).
While drafting goals, make sure they are SMART goals. Here’s what that means:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Timely
After defining your goals, you have to determine how you can achieve them. You can do so by:
- Identifying the best online marketing strategies to target your ideal audience
- Studying the latest online marketing trends
- Allocating a budget to spend on online marketing
- Analyzing what marketing collateral you already have and what you can produce
Now you know what your goals are and how you can achieve them. The next step is hiring a digital marketing agency for your online business.
Step 2: Create An Advertisement/ Job Description
To outsource the online business marketing process, it’s important to post an advertisement seeking applications from the right candidates.
To create an advertisement or a job description (if you want to hire a freelancer,) you have to focus on all the following attributes:
- Share your business introduction and the requirement: Introduce your business, its core values, and what the advertisement is all about (be as specific as you can.)
- Share a detailed description of the services: Describe the services you are looking for and how do you want these to be implemented.
- Share a list of duties and responsibilities: If the deal goes through, what will be the duties and responsibilities of the service provider (be clear and detailed to avoid any confusion.)
- Share a list of criteria for selection: You can ask for minimum years of experience, familiarity with your niche, any official accreditations, etc.
- Share your contact information: Finally, ask the service provider to contact the concerned authority in your organization to make a pitch.
You can post the advertisement on various job boards such as LinkedIn and others. Or you can simply search for digital marketing agencies on Google and share your requirements with them.
Use the following types of search queries for optimum results:
- Digital/online marketing agency in “location”
- Digital/online marketing agency for “your business niche”
- Best digital/online marketing agency for “your specific requirement”
Starting An Online Business? Build It On .Online!
Step 3: Shortlist The Digital Marketing Agency
When you receive applications of service providers for online marketing of your business, you have to shortlist the one that satisfies all or most of the conditions listed by you.
To shortlist a service provider, consider evaluating the following:
- Services catalog: Confirm whether the service providers specialize in the services that you are seeking for your online business marketing.
- Previous work experience: Ask for work samples, case studies highlighting success or failure of campaigns, customer testimonials, and references. Contact references to verify the claims of service providers.
- Team members’ profiles: Right from the founders to the executives, check the credentials and achievements of the individual/team.
- Accreditations/accomplishments: Determine the credibility of service providers by verifying their accreditations and accomplishments.
- Service costs: Take your time, work out the costs, and settle for the one that’s in your budget and also encapsulates all required services.
Step 4: Create The Workflow And Keep Everything Aligned
Creating a workflow and adhering to it ensures that all the work is aligned to a particular timeframe. It ensures that things go as planned.
You are working towards fulfilling objectives, and gradually inching towards accomplishing your goals. To construct a practical workflow, consider the following aspects:
- Define important variables: List your goals and objectives to achieve, identify key metrics to track and measure, define key deliverables, and so on. Basically, define every variable that’s responsible for the successful completion of the project.
- Create a point of contact: 86 percent of employees say lack of collaboration is the reason behind workspace failures. To avoid this, assign the duty to a team member who will collaborate with the service provider and ensures everything is on track.
- Create a set of instructions: Although the service provider will familiarize you with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the services, you can also ask them to follow specific guidelines. For this purpose, share with them a detailed set of instructions, necessary resources, and access permissions.
- Ensure legal compliance: Sign up a contract after both the parties agree upon a set of conditions. Ensure emphasizing data protection and user permissions in the contract.
70+ Digital Marketing Agencies To Hire For Your Online Business
| 1 | maowebsolutions.com | Mao Web Solutions | Jupiter digital marketing agency provides digital marketing services for Lawyers, Dentists, Electricians, HVAC |
| 2 | vminbound.com | Vm Inbound | Digital Marketing Agency located in NJ, providing digital marketing services that boost internet marketing success from click to customer. |
| 3 | jolausa.com | Jola Interactive | Jola Interactive, the best b2b digital marketing agency in NYC offers b2b website development services including creating a catalog, virtual photography & digital marketing services. |
| 4 | wiselymarketing.org | Wisely Marketing | Wisely Marketing is a full service digital marketing agency devoted to profitable digital marketing services, such as SEO, website design, and paid media. |
| 5 | purplecowagency.com | Purple Cow | Get a Digital Marketing Agency for your Growing Business. We offer a range of digital marketing services in Silicon Valley, Bay Area and San Francisco. |
| 6 | topsaildigital.com | California Department Of Consumer Affairs | We are an Digital Marketing Agency offering SEO, PPC & other specialty Digital Marketing Services. Get Digital Marketing help or learn more about us here. |
| 7 | entente1.com | Entente | Grow your business with our digital marketing services. Explore strategy, content or other marketing help from our experienced digital marketing agency. |
| 8 | tapagency.com | Tap Agency | Digital marketing agency offering a wide variety of digital marketing services including SEO, paid search, design, social media, and branding in Raleigh. |
| 9 | ocalawebpros.com | Ocalawebpros | Digital Marketing Agency. Industry-leading digital marketing services. Attractive, affordable and effective website design from a company built around optimization and conversions. |
| 10 | janszenmedia.com | Janszen | Explore the best digital marketing agency in Columbus, Ohio. Specializing in website design, web maintenance, SEO, eCommerce and digital marketing services. |
| 11 | nilecreations.com | Nile Creations | Nile Creations is a digital marketing agency located in Egypt and specialized in Web Design, Web Development, Web Hosting, Branding and other added value digital marketing services. |
| 12 | digitalsparxmarketing.com | Digitalsparx | Let our B2B Digital Marketing agency experts scale your SaaS B2B demand generation and lead generation. Learn more about our B2B Digital Marketing services. |
| 13 | activmedia.com | Activmedia | Activ Media is full service digital marketing agency based out of GTA, Ontario, Canada. We provide the following Digital Marketing Services. SEO – Search Engine Optimization. |
| 14 | ocsbox.com | Ocsbox.com | OCSBOX is one of the leading digital marketing agency in India. Hire us for creative website design, web application development & digital marketing services. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. |
| 15 | thegentlemangorilla.com | The Gentleman Gorilla | Our Digital Marketing services include Social Media Management, Photography and videography, Social Media Advertising, Google Ads, GPS Listing Advertising, and Brand Audit. |
| 16 | alxcreatives.com | Alx Creatives | Discover Chicago’s renowned digital marketing agency, ALX Creatives. With a team of experts in web design and digital marketing services, ALX can take your business to the next level. |
| 17 | marketinggiant.org | Marketing Giant | Marketing Giant is a Local & National Professional Digital Marketing Agency in Seattle, WA. We provide PPC, SEO, Social Media, Design & Development & Analytics services for Small & Large Businesses. |
| 18 | meerkatmediagroup.com | Meerkat Media Group | Full service digital marketing agency based in St. Augustine, Florida that provides national digital marketing services. |
| 19 | skyrushmarketing.com | Skyrush Marketing | Our talented Long Island digital advertising team makes us a leading Digital Marketing Agency New York. Learn more about our Digital Marketing Services and SEO. |
| 20 | shufemedia.com | Shufe Media | Shufe Media is an SEO Company & Digital Marketing Agency in Atlanta, Georgia. Shufe Media Provides digital marketing services such as SEO, Social Media Marketing, digital strategy, and more. |
| 21 | nowspeed.com | Nowspeed | Nowspeed is a digital marketing agency in Greater Boston. Learn about our digital marketing services & get a free consultation! |
| 22 | alternewmedia.com | Alter New Media | Alter New Media is a full-service digital marketing agency in Los Angeles, California. We are providing Digital Marketing Services, Strategic Consulting, Creative Content, Influencers, Purposeful Partnerships, Publicity, Digital Production, and Social Media Marketing services. |
| 23 | redtrolleyconsulting.com | Red Trolley Consulting | Red Trolley Consulting Is a Leading Online E-Commerce digital marketing agency In California That’s Providing local digital marketing services.For more Info Call Us- 949-209-8325. |
| 24 | 2pointagency.com | 2point Digital Marketing Agency | 2Point Digital Marketing Agency builds, manages and expands companies digital footprints. Experts in UX, Shopify, Magento, Digital Marketing Services, WordPress and App Development. |
| 25 | bcpdigitalmarketing.com | Bultman Computer Partners | Digital marketing services tailored to give you result driven websites & online strategies. Your Jacksonville digital marketing agency partner. |
| 26 | paragondigital.com | Paragon Digital | A digital marketing agency providing integrated digital marketing services like SEO, PPC, Social Media, Reputation Management & Web Developement. |
| 27 | true-presence.com | Truepresence | TruePresence provides services for corporate identity design,internet marketing service.TruePresence is best digital marketing agency in Guatemala,Central America |
| 28 | onimodglobal.com | Onimod Global | Your in-house Digital Marketing Agency providing digital marketing services to clients around the globe. Global SEO, SEM, Website Development, Social Media, Automation, Graphic Design, App Development and so much more. |
| 29 | thestylesagency.com | The Styles Agency | The Styles Agency is a digital marketing agency in Richmond VA. We offer affordable digital marketing services to small businesses in Richmond and beyond! |
| 30 | milkywaydigital.com | Milky Way Digital | Milky Way Digital is a full service web design and digital marketing agency providing high quality award winning mobile websites and digital marketing services. |
| 31 | seoisb.com | Ha-technologies | SEO Islamabad leading Digital Marketing Agency Pakistan currently providing it’s incredible proven Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing Services |
| 32 | buzz-meter.com | Buzz-meter | BUZZMETER is a professional Digital Marketing Agency in Mumbai & California. Offering Digital Marketing services like SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Marketing. |
| 33 | brighthaus.com | Brighthaus | We see life on the bright side. BrightHaus is a boutique digital marketing agency in San Diego, CA. Visit us for comprehensive digital marketing services. |
| 34 | doublejetmarketing.com | Doublejet | DoubleJet is a full service, digital marketing agency based out of Orlando, Florida. Our digital marketing services include web design, web development, website maintenance, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media services. Our agency is a full digital marketing partner of Orlando, Florida. Amplifying greatness is our mission. |
| 35 | strunkmedia.com | Strunk Media Group | Strunk is a digital marketing agency which offers comprehensive digital marketing services & unique online solutions to drive traffic to your business. SM has a unique set of skills & experts in various industries. |
| 36 | mozwebmedia.com | Moz Web Media | Digital Marketing Agency Chicago, USA – At MOZWEBMEDIA, We offer digital marketing services in Chicago, USA at affordable cost. Visit Website or Call us at (+1) 773-901-8065 to get a free quote on digital marketing to grow your online business. |
| 37 | itobyo.com | Degrees Online | Itobyo is one of the best digital marketing agency and online marketing company in Mumbai and USA which provides service in other countries like dubai and Canada for digital marketing service. |
| 38 | mybizniche.com | My Biz Niche | We are a Digital Marketing Agency with a past performance in rescuing digital marketing services such as Search Engine Optimization, Pay Per Click, Social Media, and Custom Web Design.Our track record is pretty damn good with our past proven results and 5-star reviews and that |
| 39 | jgleamarketing.com | Jglea Web Design | Digital Marketing Agency which provides social media management and digital marketing services for businesses throughout Canada. |
| 40 | avaxdigital.com | Avax Digital | We are 12 years experienced digital marketing agency and web design company based in Delhi, India offering web design, eCommerce and digital marketing services. |
| 41 | pagebyrank.com | Page By Rank | Rated Best Digitalmarketing company in India, Get The best digital marketing services to increase your sales and revenue with online market. We ensures High ROI.. Contact #1 digital marketing agency in Delhi, India for latest packages & pricing. |
| 42 | connected-culture.com | Connected Culture | CONNECTED CULTURE is the only Digital Marketing Agency on Long Island and in NYC dedicated to helping Marketing Directors with digital marketing services. |
| 43 | cyrokinetics.com | Cyrokinetics | Our Digital Marketing Services. We are a friendly and adaptable, full-service digital marketing agency focusing on building long-term client relationships and exceptional results. Motion graphics help illustrate your story thru animated text and visuals that highlight important keynotes. |
| 44 | adsage.us | Adsage | adSage is a 12-year China digital marketing agency. adSage offers a variety of China digital marketing services: Pay-Per-Click(PPC) ads, SEM, SEO, Newsfeed and Social Media Marketing. adage closely collaborate with partners to build tailored online marketing strategies and help to build/expand …. |
| 45 | mwi.com | Mwi | MWI is a leading full-service digital marketing agency offering digital advertising consulting, online marketing strategy and digital marketing services. |
| 46 | r2group.com | R2group.com | SMS Text Marketing. Promote your business with our digital marketing services. From social media, texting campaigns to web design, we have it all. Our services are made so that your business grows faster, without investing thousands of dollars. |
| 47 | digitalsuccess.us | Digital Success | Digital Success is an award-winning result driven full service digital marketing agency based in DFW, TX. Our digital marketing services include blending of SEO, PPC, Social Media, Content and Programmatic advertising services. |
| 48 | carabusinesssolutions.com | Cara Business Solutions | New Jersey-based digital marketing agency providing the website, graphic design, and digital marketing services to small businesses locally and online. |
| 49 | masclientes.com | Mas Clientes | Mas Clientes is a digital marketing agency that provides small businesses with Spanish digital marketing services. This includes website design, pay per click advertising, advertising on ElClasificado.com and other digital marketing services to help build your online presence and attract new customers. |
| 50 | slim.marketing | Slim Marketing | Digital marketing agency providing services in: Social, Local, Internet, & Mobile Marketing. Small business marketing is our specialty. Digital marketing services also include SEO services in Des Moines and the United States. |
| 51 | revenueboomers.com | Revenue Boomers – Social Media Marketing Agency | Boston digital marketing agency. Get more customers to increase sales and profits for your business with digital marketing services. |
| 52 | joinmarathon.com | Webblex | Sick of searching for a digital marketing agency? Want to learn more about our digital marketing services? If so, contact our digital marketing specialists at Join Marathon now! |
| 53 | search-value.com | Search Value | A digital marketing agency for technology companies offering result oriented digital marketing services and solutions. We generate revenue for technology |
| 54 | thinkfreelymg.com | Think Freely Marketing Group | Think Freely Marketing Group is a Digital Marketing Agency, providing First Class Digital Marketing Solutions since 2012 for Businesses.Our Digital Marketing services include Local SEO, PPC/SEM, and Facebook/Instagram Solutions. Let’s work together (561) 293-3009… |
| 55 | byvdigital.com | Byv Digital | BYV Digital is a Digital Marketing Agency in Dallas, Texas. BYV Digital offers 360 digital marketing services and helping businesses to gain exposure online |
| 56 | dalcodigital.com | Dalco | The one stop shop for all your digital marketing services. DALCO is a digital marketing agency committed to helping business owners create an online presense that will ensure traffic to their website, lead generation, and to help raise their brand awareness across all social media platforms. |
| 57 | secretsushi.com | Secret Sushi | Secret Sushi is a digital marketing agency that provides custom, results-driven digital marketing services to companies that want to grow … fast. Learn how. |
| 58 | saigent.com | Saigent | Saigent is a digital marketing agency based in Miami, FL. We offer digital marketing services for ecommerce retailers. Contact our digital marketing agency. |
| 59 | techsata.com | Techsata | Local SEO & Digital Marketing Agency in Dhaka Bangladesh – Techsata. Creative Digital Marketing Services. Search Engine Optimization. Local SEO Services. Social Media Marketing. Social Media Management. |
| 60 | newmousemedia.com | New Mouse Media | New Mouse Media is a Digital Marketing Agency with WordPress Website Design + Local SEO expertise + Lead Generation + ROI. Ongoing inbound & outbound digital marketing services keep you in the loop! |
| 61 | caemarketing.com | Cae Marketing & Consulting | Top-Rated Digital Marketing Agency Offering Premier Digital Marketing Services, like SEO & PPC Management, and Marketing Consulting Since 2005. Call Us |
| 62 | prointernettv.com | Prointernet Tv | Creative digital marketing agency Prointernet TV, web development, web design, SEO, social media, digital marketing services Denver, Los Los Angeles, New York. |
| 63 | clickfred.com | Clickfred | Clickfred s a Full Service Digital Marketing Agency focused on core results. Providing Digital Marketing Services and packages that fit all budgets. |
| 64 | loopdigitalmarketing.com | Loop Digital Marketing | We skyrocket businesses. We are a Cyprus based Digital Marketing Agency. We offer highly optimized digital marketing services such as branding, web design, |
| 65 | lunaritsolutions.com | Lunar It Solutions | Lunar IT Solutions is a leading full-service digital marketing agency offering digital marketing consulting, internet marketing strategy, web development, mobile apps, web design and full digital marketing services. |
| 66 | emarketingdoc.com | Emarketingdoc | VIP digital marketing services from an especial boutique digital marketing agency. Explore the intro |
| 67 | mellonaid.com | Mellonaid | Mellonaid is a digital marketing agency located in Raleigh, NC offering design, branding, content creation, storytelling and digital marketing services. |
| 68 | nvginc.org | New Vision Group | Digital marketing Services & Social Media Marketing Services. Experience digital Marketing that delivers results. A full service digital marketing agency |
| 69 | dmgonlinemarketing.com | Dmg Online Marketing | Digital Marketing Agency based in Calgary, Alberta. Offering a full range of digital marketing services to help grow your business. |
| 70 | imgdigitalagency.com | Img Digital | IMG Digital Inc is a Digital Marketing Agency Ridgefield, CT specializing in outsourced digital marketing services. We are a Platinum HubSpot Partner, Marketing Automation, Google AdWords Management, Social Media Management. |
| 71 | yellowfindigital.com | Yellow Fin Digital | YellowFin Digital is a elite Digital Marketing Agency. We offers digital marketing services, web design, SEO, PPC, ecommerce boutique solutions & More. |
| 72 | digitalc4.com | Digital C4 | Digital C4, Portland Oregon based Digital Marketing Agency, provides digital marketing services including SEO, PPC, paid social, and content creation. |
| 73 | hortons-art.com | Horton’s Art | Your one stop shop digital marketing agency. Affordable, quality, result based solutions for your business! Located in Port Orchard WA. Graphic Design, Website Design and Development, and Digital Marketing Services. |
| 74 | ssdigitalmarketingservices.com | Digital Marketing Services | Rank your website with SS Digital Marketing Services an leading digital marketing agency, located in USA. We have been Mastery the field of Digital Marketing Services, Search Engine Optimization Services, Social Media Marketing Services, Web Designing Services. |
In Conclusion
Follow these four simple steps for hiring a digital marketing agency for your online business marketing to a service provider.
After signing the contract, ensure there are no communication issues. Otherwise, your online marketing campaign may not produce the desired results.
Consider creating an integrated setup comprising of internal team members and service providers. The integrated model ensures that all your strategies are implemented in the best possible manner, creating maximum impact and generating the desired ROI.