What Makes a Top Digital Marketing Agency?
So you’re running your very own business. (Congrats!) That means you should be looking for a top digital marketing agency to get the word out about how awesome that business is. After all, digital marketing is a crazy yet crucial element of entrepreneurship. So many business owners are experts in their field… but find that leveraging the Internet to bring sales is beyond their reach. That’s why there are so many agencies dedicated to tackling this task for you.
The Good, The Bad, The Best: How to Find a Top Digital Marketing Agency
With so many agencies out there, how are you supposed to sort out the weeds from the winners? What separates the good from the best? Or the best from the rest? Should you use social media, ads, and email marketing? Even more, how do you find the right agency for your business?
We know that finding a top digital marketing agency can seem daunting. However, in our experience, it’s a simple matter of research and investigation. In fact, you don’t have to know much about digital marketing at all. Instead, use the following five elements to weed out the snake oil salesmen.
Strong Reviews from Other Clients
Your business is your baby. So you should take finding a top digital marketing agency as seriously as you take hiring a babysitter. You don’t want to put your baby in the hands of someone you don’t know. Not unless they have solid references. That’s just dangerous.
Many digital businesses list their customer reviews online, but those reviews aren’t always reliable in the age of the Internet. Instead, look for the agency’s list of clients. Contact those clients and ask them directly about their experience with the agency. They’ll tell you if their contract with the agency has been a dream… or a nightmare.
Gather a whole list of personal reviews using this method. That way, you’ll get an idea of how the agency’s customers feel about their work. Then, you can decide if you want to consider hiring them. This is one of the most straightforward ways to spot a top digital marketing agency.
Experience in the Industry
Since the pandemic, more businesses than ever have realized the importance of digital marketing… especially email marketing, which is still the best way to communicate with customers. Consequently, new digital marketing agencies are popping up all over. However, even agencies that have been around longer than a few years might not have the experience necessary to make an impact.
If you want a top digital marketing agency to win you more business, you need an agency that has earned its stripes. Sure, Internet trends are ever-changing, and you never know what will go viral next. However, the foundations of good marketing are the same. A knowledgeable agency will understand these fundamentals and apply them appropriately, no matter what comes next.
More Than Just a One-Trick Pony
On the other hand, while experience is great, versatility is equally important. A top digital marketing agency leverages various tools to promote your business. Gone are the days when a coupon in the local paper was good enough to get by. The digital world is fierce, complex, and dynamic. People can find anything, anywhere, for any price (and any level of quality). Anyone can post an ad on Facebook or create a catchy YouTube video.
However, a reputable digital marketing agency has a suite of robust tools in its arsenal. Plus, they know how to use them to your advantage. That way, they can consistently convert your digital passersby to customers—and then free brand ambassadors. You want your business to stay top-of-mind no matter where your customers are on the web. A top agency uses every opportunity to reach customers. That includes email, which is still the most powerful digital marketing medium.
But buyer beware: Just because a digital marketing agency says they can do it all doesn’t mean they do everything well. For example, a company that started out focusing on improving SEO, and then later grafted in social media, email, and pay-per-click (PPC) may not be as strong in their add-on platforms. Alternatively, an agency like Email Broadcast is 100% focused on full-service email marketing—and can handle every aspect of it. Figure out what’s most important to your business and find an agency dedicated to that field.
Built for Growth
You’ve got big dreams for your business. Don’t let a subpar agency keep you from achieving them. A top digital marketing agency has the capacity to grow with you. They won’t be afraid to tackle businesses with email lists in the hundreds—or hundreds of thousands. You don’t want to invest time, money, and effort in an agency only to have to redo the whole process once you reach another benchmark.
Invested In Their Clients
Similarly, a top digital marketing agency will want to invest in your business as much as you’re investing in the agency. After all, your success should mean their success too. If an agency isn’t invested in your company doing well, that’s a huge red flag.
Let’s swap the babysitter metaphor for finding a boyfriend. If he isn’t proud enough to tell his friends about you, is he really your boyfriend? You and your company deserve better. Get yourself a business partner that will support you, cheer you on, and celebrate your wins. More importantly, find a top digital marketing agency that works with you in your failures to help you improve. That’s the only way to succeed.
Find an Agency That Will Work for You and Your Business
This might seem like a tall order, but we promise there are plenty of great digital marketing agencies out there. Do your research. Trust your gut. And don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Never settle for less than excellence when it comes to your business.
Want to get started, but aren’t sure where? Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit.
