How to Evaluate a Digital Marketing Agency - The Definitive Checklist

You’ve found the perfect digital marketing agency. They have a great reputation, they understand your business and marketing, and they offer a range of digital services at a price that you can afford. The only problem is that there are so many agencies like this in the world. How do you know which ones are good and which ones aren’t? In order to make sure you end up working with an agency that is both capable and trustworthy, it’s essential to carry out thorough research and planning before signing any contracts. Since it’s possible that you haven’t worked with an agency before or perhaps not in this capacity, we’ve put together a helpful checklist on how to evaluate a digital marketing agency before signing anything.

Ask for Agency References and Reach Out

If you come across a Digital marketing agency that sounds like a good fit for your business, ask for references from previous clients. You don’t have to contact them all, but for each reference reach out and ask a few questions to help you make your decision. You can also ask the agency for references from people who have hired them in the past who work in the same industry as you. This will help you get a better idea of how their digital marketing services will impact your business. When reaching out to references and potential clients, be sure to have a list of questions prepared to make the most out of the opportunity. Ask about the process for hiring the agency, how satisfied they are with the end result, and how their relationship with the agency has been since the project went live. If there were any issues, find out what they were and how they were resolved. 

Evaluate the Skillsets of Individual Agency Team Members

It’s helpful to know the specific team members who will be working on your account. You can usually find out this information from the agency’s website (if they have one) or marketing collateral. If not, definitely ask for it. You may want to take it a step further and get in touch with some of the people you’re in touch with at the agency to see how they respond and what they can offer to you. As part of your research, it’s also important to determine if the digital marketing agency’s team has the right skills to meet your needs. For example, if your company is in the energy sector, it may not make sense to work with an agency that specializes in B2C marketing.

Check Out The Digital Marketing Agency’s Culture

Typically, you’ll want to visit the Digital marketing agency  and meet the team in person to get a better sense of the working environment. This can be especially useful if you are dealing with a remote team. You can also take a look at the agency’s social media accounts to get a better idea of their culture. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, or you don’t have access to the accounts, you can always ask the agency for permission to view them. Keep an eye out for red flags. For example, an agency that posts a lot of complaints from customers may not have the best customer service.

Find Out How Long The Agency Has Been in Business

While this isn’t an exact science, it is helpful to know how long the digital marketing agency has been in business. This will enable you to see how they’ve evolved over time and if they’ve managed to stay on top of the latest trends in the industry. If the agency has only been around for a few years, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it may make it more difficult to trust them with your marketing campaigns.

Look at The Digital Marketing Agency’s Track Record

You want to make sure the digital marketing agency has a proven track record of success. There are a few ways to go about this. Once again, you can look at past work that the agency has done for customers in industries that are similar to yours. You can also ask the agency for their client list and look up the businesses on your own. This can be time consuming, but it’s helpful in giving you a better idea of the quality of work that the agency produces.

Check How Responsive The Digital Marketing Agency Is

When you’re trying to decide whether a particular digital marketing agency is the right fit for you, it’s a good idea to see how responsive they are. You can do this by reaching out and seeing how quickly they respond to your emails or calls. Because you’re not a customer yet, this may be slightly awkward, but it’s definitely worth it. You may want to take it a step further and ask for an approximate timeline for how long the project will take. 

Evaluate The Digital Marketing Agency’s Tech Infrastructure

Depending on the type of digital services you need and the tools the agency uses to deliver these services, you may want to check out the agency’s technology infrastructure to make sure it’s up to snuff. This will be especially important if you need digital marketing services that rely on specific software.

 

Summing up

Choosing the right Digital marketing agency can really impact your bottom line. The agency you choose can determine how your brand is perceived and how influential it is online. It’s essential you take your time to find the right fit. When you do, you can be sure your marketing campaigns will be successful and you’ll see an increase in leads and sales. With so many agencies out there, it can be difficult to find the right one. As a business owner, it's important to do your research and make sure you're selecting the right agency for your needs. With the right digital marketing agency, you can expect to see higher brand recognition and a greater return on investment. With this checklist, you'll be able to easily evaluate agencies and choose the one that is best for your business.