When it comes to selecting a marketing agency, there are five key criteria that your organization should take into account. From social proof and a strong reputation in the industry to similar core values and company culture, it's important to ensure that the agency scores “10” in each of these categories. Otherwise, you risk making a costly mistake. The first step is to identify your goals.
Instead of saying “I want to increase sales”, you should focus on actionable items such as “I want to increase visits to my e-commerce store” or “I want to reduce cart abandonment rates”. This will help you choose the right marketing company and measure its success throughout the life of your relationship. When looking for a marketing agency, it's important to consider whether you need a full-service agency or one that specializes in a particular area, such as social media, content marketing, inbound marketing, or advertising in general. You should also look for an agency that provides valuable digital marketing and technical tips on a monthly basis.
A great way to find out how well a marketing company could work for your small business is to analyze their own marketing efforts. Be wary of any agency that promotes specific marketing tools, such as PR, social media, trade shows, etc. It's also important to consider your budget before seeking help from a marketing agency. If there's an agency available that caters specifically to your industry (or even better, small businesses in your industry), it's worth taking a closer look.
You'll want to make sure you feel comfortable working with them both in person and remotely. Don't let them simply show you some testimonials from other customers as proof of their past accomplishments. Finally, accurate and quality data should guide business decisions and marketing strategies so that your company can achieve stronger results.
