How to Choose the Right Agency?

One of the hardest decisions that you need to make is selecting a marketing agency for your business. There is a lot that you need to consider before you make up your mind. You need to understand that the agency you choose can make or break your company. To help point you in the right direction, we have prepared a guide for you. Read on to find out what to look for when hiring a marketing agency.

1. Specialization

The first thing that you need to consider when on the lookout for an agency is its specialization. You can either choose a firm that specializes in a specific area of marketing or a full-service firm. However, opting for a one-size-fits-all agency might not be the best idea, especially if there is one specific area that you need help with. You have to consider your needs in order to narrow down your list. Only if you do not have a dedicated marketing department should you go with a firm that offers multiple services. On the other hand, some firms specialize in one or a few of the following areas.

• User Experience Design: There are some agencies that specialize in creative web design and user experience design. These firms can create user-friendly designs that are backed by artificial intelligence, heat map data, and user research. They allow your business to thrive online. When you go through the homepage of the agency, you should be able to determine what it specializes in. Agencies that focus on user experience design will mention the KPIs and metrics they meet and will impress you with their team.
• Technical Expertise: Another area where the firm may specialize is technical expertise. You could hire an agency that can help build an app for your business. If you require the assistance of such a firm, you will have to consider its internal tech team and the type of work they handle.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Since SEO has taken over the world, you might require help with getting your website’s ranking. The marketing agency should be able to implement changes to your website to ensure that it ranks better.
• Content Marketing: Content is everything. If your company’s content strategy is failing to provide the results you are looking for, you can partner with a firm that specializes in content marketing. It should be able to devise a strategy to get your content to rank higher. Besides, you can rely on it to create viral content that gets your audience hooked on what you have to offer.
• Paid Advertising: In order to get people to notice your business, you will need to cash in on paid advertising. With a paid marketing campaign, you will notice an increase in sales. The firm would create ad copy and a landing page to encourage people to buy from you.

2. Experience

Next, you have to consider the experience of the marketing firm. Having an expert on board makes all the difference. This is why you should choose an agency that has been around for a long time. It would prove that it has the ability to adapt to the changing business landscape. In addition to this, you might also want to make sure that the experience the agency has is relevant to your sector. For instance, if you sell cosmetics, the agency should have at least worked with beauty brands.

When you pick out a firm that has a strong understanding of your industry and customers, you would be able to sit back and let it come up with an effective strategy to wow your target audience. Besides, you would appreciate the fact that it knows which type of channels your customers use. Thus, you would be able to make your mark in your industry.

3. Cultural Fit

The marketing agency you hire should be easy to work with. As you will be spending a lot of time with their team, it should be a cultural fit for your business. There is no need for you to go with a wacky agency. You have to let go of the belief that marketing needs to be complicated. Although creativity is crucial, you have to go with an agency that proves to you that it understands your goals and has no trouble communicating with you.

Now, you might be impressed by what the agency comes up with. However, you also have to look at the results it can provide such as website visitors, leads generated, and conversions. It is also worth considering the size of the agency. If you are a small business, a big agency could easily catapult your business to new heights. Therefore, you should determine whether to go for a small or big firm. It is vital that you have an easy time communicating your needs with them.

The firm you select needs to be transparent and honest. It is not something that is easy to measure as the industry is rife with agencies that engage in shady practices and only care about their own interests. Some of the ways to find a trustworthy agency are mentioned below.

• Ask About Everything They Provide: You must not sign any agreement with an agency until you have asked them about everything including the intricacies. For instance, if the firm is supposed to help you with SEO, it should specify it in its contract.
• The Amount of Flexibility Offered: Next, the agency should be easy to work with and must provide a great amount of flexibility. You should be able to call the shots and ensure that they follow through with your feedback.

Sometimes, you just need to use your intuition and observe the people behind the agency in order to make the right decision.

4. Track Record

Before you choose a marketing agency, you should take some time to look into its track record. Find out more about the type of results it can provide. It might be a good idea to speak with its previous clients to hear about their experience in their own words. Besides this, you should also check reviews, testimonials, and case students.

To avoid making any mistake, you have to look for proof. The marketing firm should be able to market itself to you through its online presence and in the form of positive reviews. It should promptly respond to queries on social media and show a commitment to helping its clients achieve the best results. However, you have to go beyond Google Reviews and read articles about the firm as well.

5. Pricing

There is no denying that hiring a marketing agency costs a lot of money. This is why you have to ensure that you do not overspend on the service. But, you must not let cost be the only factor when making a decision. You have to evaluate the cost of the service based on what the agency brings to the table. Keep in mind that agencies have different ways to charge their clients for the work they do. Generally, the agency should allow you to choose from the following options.

• Per Hour: The agency may charge you according to the number of hours worked.
• Per Project: It is also possible for the agency to bill you based on the specific projects worked. In such a situation, it will submit a proposal to you and you will have to pay a fixed fee once the work is completed or as the work progresses.
• Monthly Retainer: A fixed monthly fee may be charged by the agency which you will have to pay. It will mention the work it has completed every time it sends you a bill.

Red Flags to Look Out For

Now that you have gone over the top tips for choosing a marketing agency, it is also important for you to know which red flags to be on the lookout for. These are mentioned below.

• Communicates Poorly: For a stress-free experience, you need a firm that communicates effectively and on time. If it fails to respond to your questions or takes a long time, you should look elsewhere. Also, it should be able to provide a conclusive answer.
• Handles Too Many Clients: To make sure that the firm provides your project with the time it needs, it should not take on too many companies at the same time. There should be a person in charge who handles your accounts and provides all the support you need.
• Undertakes Any Client: The firm you choose should know which type of clients it can handle and needs to let you know if your company is the right fit for them.
• No Proof of Customer Success: The agency should be able to provide proof of customer success and ROI. It must share case studies with you to help you make up your mind.
• Only cares about the Money: Lastly, the agency should care about nurturing a relationship with your business instead of just making money.