The transition from traditional marketing to digital marketing has been a game-changer in the way we do business. It’s no longer enough to have an online presence; you need to be able to promote it too.  Hiring a digital marketing agency is one of the best ways for companies and entrepreneurs to get their message out there and build brand awareness with minimal effort.  But how do you know when it’s time? And what questions should you ask before making that decision? Read on for 7 essential questions every company should ask when hiring a new digital marketing agency. 

What is the Digital Agency’s Specialty?

You need to consider the type of expertise an agency can offer before hiring it. Many agencies specialize in digital marketing, web development, and design, or social media management. Asking questions about their niche will provide insight into how they work with your business to develop a strategy that helps you achieve your goals. One of the most effective ways to learn about an agency is by understanding its clients. If you’re able to contact current or past customers, ask what they liked best about working with them and if there were any areas that could be improved. This will provide a good picture of your potential partner’s strengths as well as address any shortcomings before committing resources or time. Knowledgeable agencies can help grow your business because they understand digital marketing very well. However, not every digital agency has deep knowledge across all verticals. That’s why it’s important to hire someone who’s got experts for each type of service you need whether it’s social media management, search engine optimization (SEO) or running ad campaigns.

How Long has the Company been Operating?

Before deciding on who to hire as a partner, it’s important to know what level of experience they have. It’s even more important to know if this experience aligns with what needs to be done at this point in time. Do not make assumptions based solely on previous clients because many factors make each project successful or unsuccessful, such as budget constraints or lack of personal compatibility. However, a good competence indicator for a digital agency is the number of years it has been in operation. That’s because unqualified digital agencies rarely survive in the industry for more than a few months. A digital agency that’s been in operation for at least 5 years is a good sign that it knows how to achieve client objectives. It pays off when you choose an experienced digital agency because they will understand the trends and best practices and know how things like Google updates affect your business. They will also be familiar with competitors’ strategies so that you can take advantage of their failures. Experience matters!

Will I have Access to All of the Team Members Who Work on My Project?

This is a question that makes sure you’re not pigeon-holed into working with one person, and it will ensure the project has been thought out thoroughly before work even starts.  One of the most important aspects of any digital marketing campaign is communication–letting your team know what they need to do at each stage and making sure they have all the resources available for success from start to finish, so there are no roadblocks or delays along the way.  If an agency won’t commit to this type of open access, then something’s obviously up! For your ad campaigns to produce tangible results, the agency of your choice should be able and eager to train your team on meeting goals and mapping KPIs. This can include training them on how to use automated tools or interpreting data from the analytics software that they recommend. Furthermore, an agency that understands all aspects of growth knows their relationship with you is just as critical as understanding your subject matter expertise.  When it comes time for planning sessions, will they have open lines of communication with you? What’s their reach into the vernacular? These are the questions you need to ask to decide if the digital agency will be a good fit for you.

What will be the Metrics to Measure the Success of the Suggested Marketing Campaigns?

Another useful question to ask about how they measure success. How do you know if the work has been successful? Be sure that some quantifiable metrics can be used as evidence of results, like an increase in traffic or conversion rates.  Make it clear what your company’s goals and expectations are before hiring a digital agency so that the project will have a measurable outcome for everyone involved.

What Type of Corporate Culture Does the Digital Agency Have?

It is vital to hire an agency with values similar to your own. It is generally considered best to hire agencies that demonstrate elements like collaboration and creativity in their culture.  Furthermore, transparency and accountability should be taken into consideration when choosing a provider. Questions about an agency’s corporate culture can give insight into the company’s hiring process, alongside getting to know the agency’s talent, which is essential before making your final choice.

Does the Digital Agency have a Process in Place for Executing your Digital Marketing Goals?

A digital agency should not only be creative but also strategic and goal-driven. Make sure to choose an agency that has the expertise you need and can clearly articulate their approach on how they will execute what needs to be done from start to finish.  This includes making both short-term and long-term commitments with timelines along with regular progress reports, so you know exactly where you are at all times, which is crucial when it comes time to report back on results. An important consideration when selecting the right agency is its ability to adapt and innovate. Keep in mind that your digital agency should develop a strategy for all of the marketing channels you are interested in, not just one. In addition, it is essential to ask about any other clients or projects similar to what you are looking for; if there aren’t many, then maybe the agency doesn’t specialize in the particular industry your business belongs to.

How Do You Handle Project Management, Client Communication, and Deadlines?

Do you have a dedicated account manager for each client that interfaces with clients directly to make sure they are informed throughout the process and timeline? Do you include monthly reports in your regular communications so clients know where their content is ranking on the Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) at any given time or if there has been an update from a competitor’s website?  These questions can help determine how organized the agency is. The more organized an agency seems to be, the greater the productivity and quality of service. Also remember to ask questions about how the agency tracks timing for task execution and resource efficiency.

Why hire Accurate Digital Solutions (ADS) as your Digital Marketing Agency?

We have a proven track record of success and are trusted by some of the best companies in the US. Our team has years of experience working for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Accurate Digital Solutions introduced digital marketing into many industries, including education, healthcare, finance, fashion retail, and more.  Our digital marketing service is completely backed by data. We’ve also helped our clients grow their customer base by reaching new consumers through social media channels like Facebook and Instagram.  On average, clients see a 4.5x increase in ROI. We have expertise in all kinds of technical services, including website development, mobile app development, and API integration services. Learn more about our work or contact us today to hire the digital agency that can help you fulfill all your business needs!