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How to Select the Perfect Digital Marketing Agency in 2021

By July 21, 2021 No Comments

Hiring a digital marketing agency is easy – the hard part is finding the right fit.

These days, there are several marketing agencies around the world, and it could be difficult to find the perfect one for you, especially when you need a team of reliable, trustworthy individuals to manage some of your most important assets.

There are several experienced agencies, meanwhile, there are many that have very little experience and are learning on the fly. Investing in the wrong agency can really hurt your budget and negatively impact your branding, so it’s important to choose wisely.

With that said, our experienced team at Ultranet has put together a list of some of the most important factors to look at, including the positives and the negatives, as you seek the perfect digital marketing agency for you.

Have Set Goals and Desired Outcomes

Before you start searching for the agency you want to work with, it’s important to know what you want. Are you looking to grow your social media? – Are you interested in lead generation? – Are you interested in making it to the first page of Google? You need to set SMART goals.

Dependant on the goals, you’ll want to choose your agency accordingly. Some agencies have specific specializations in one or two areas, meanwhile there are some “full-service” agencies that provide everything under one roof.

It’s best to break down your goal into 1) deliverable2) goal, and 3) desired end result, so you can better communicate what you want to achieve with the agency, so both your company and theirs can see if it’s the right fit.

Check Their Client List and Case Studies

Every experienced agency is proud of the work they’ve done, and who they have done it for, so it’s critical to look over all of this on their website. The majority of great agencies will have no problem sharing these publicly on their website, as this is something they want the whole world to see.

You want to see a client list, because you want to make sure that the agency has worked with real clients. As for the case studies, results are everything – you’ll want to double check that they have brought their clients results. This can also help you determine whether they are the right fit for your desired goals.

Social Proof and Reputation

Don’t forget to check for real testimonials from their clients to get a better understanding of the quality of work they’ve provided. Testimonials can give you a deep insight into what working with that agency can look like. If you can’t find reviews, it may not be a good sign.

Smart marketers understand the importance of social proof; after all, they are working in a digital industry.

Company Culture and Values

Work with an agency that has similar values to you and your company. This will help you all work well as a team and understand one another. Remember, your digital agency is like an extension of your business, so you want to make sure you share similar values and culture.

I’d definitely suggest reading through their website and possibly browsing their social media channels to better understand the agency and what they are like.

Their Website Must Look Good

Your website is like your business’ home. A lot of the times, it is the first impression someone will get of your business, so you want to make it count.

With that said, you will want to seek an agency that has a great website, because this represents the fact that they actually know what they’re doing as an agency. Every good digital marketer will have a well-designed, functional website. If they do not… well clearly, they’re not the right fit. User experience is everything, and your desired agency must understand that.

No Far-Fetched Promises

Any good digital agency will make realistic, SMART promises – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

If your agency says things like “I will get your business on the first page of Google” or “I will get you tons of social media followers,” this is a bad sign. You want to stay away from this.

A strong long-term SEO strategy, or a long-term social media strategy, will focus on SMART marketing, as it takes continuous work to make your way up there and maintain it.

Pay very close attention to the promises they make and be sure that it aligns with the industry (it’s important to do your research).

Stick to agencies that are real and transparent with you from the start.

Communication

For our Ultranet team, communication is everything. The best digital marketing agencies will make it simple for their clients to get in touch with them.

Navigating their website should be simple, they should have clear call-to-actions, so there it is simple for you to submit your inquiry or ask your questions.

Find a digital agency that will make everything as simple as possible for you, their potential client.

Once You’ve Hired Your Perfect Agency…

It’s important to communicate this with your team and get everyone on the same page. This way, you can work effectively with your new agency, and can share requirements along with the ins and outs of your business, so they can better understand your brand, and the way your team works.

You’ll also want to make sure your agency sets up an effective method of communication with you, so you can ensure that the collaboration is successful. This includes sharing brand guidelines, input, thoughts, ideas and more, so the project can move in the right direction.

And last but not least, never be afraid to ask questions! You trust your agency, and they are here to help you, so be open with them, and don’t be afraid to communicate. Any good agency will be happy to help answer them and clear any sort of uncertainness.

Conclusion

Our team at Ultranet consists of members that have been in the industry for 10 years plus. Being an award-winning agency, we have transformed 145+ clients in the lifestyle, hospitality, beauty, tech, and fashion space.

Utilizing the latest technologies, we produce bespoke marketing, branding, content, and digital strategies that deliver high conversion and accelerate growth that aligns with your target audiences’ evolving expectations across various digital channels.

Our team is result-driven and will always do what is best for your business!