How to choose a digital marketing agency

We live in an era of digital transformation, where every brand and company must be present  in the digital world in one way or another. However, in the face of rapidly developing technology and unrelentingly multiplying competitors, just "being present" on the internet is never enough.

Establishing a permanent place online is becoming more important - and more difficult - every day. With so many different components when it comes to digital marketing, deciding which digital marketing strategy will result in a better engagement for your brand may not be easy. From SEO to content strategy, persona development to web design: a professional digital marketing team will increase your brand awareness online and help you reach out to your customers and target audience. 

Since every digital agency has its own field of specialization, you need to be able to decide which one works towards your demands. How do you know which agency is the right fit for YOU and your business? That’s what Prism is here to help you with!

What is a digital marketing agency?

By bringing together multiple different marketing strategies, digital marketing agencies help you to develop your brand online among many other competitors. In contrast with other marketing groups, digital marketing agencies concentrate mainly on leveraging new technologies and modern techniques to bolster their clients' reputation and sales.

Many B2B businesses opt for hiring outside help instead of in-house marketing because it’s easier to maintain a proactive approach. Instead of running your team thin, you can hire an agency to stay on top of trends and drive real business results.

How to find the most suitable digital marketing agency

There are many distinctive aspects to look at when choosing an agency. Let’s look at the key four in more detail: 

#1 Check out the website

Now, this may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s really worth stressing. When considering which agency is most suitable for your business, ask yourself: what services do they offer? Do they have a portfolio of work available? Does the agency’s website convey what its strengths are?

A great digital marketing agency partner will highlight their work across various industry verticals, outlining the campaigns and services executed for those respective businesses, and showcasing their results through data.

#2 Determine your objectives and budget 

Before you start reaching out to digital marketing agencies, you need to work out your marketing goals and how much you’re willing to spend. The better you can describe your needs and objectives in terms of brand awareness and ROI, the more valuable the conversations you’ll be able to have.

Are you looking to increase brand awareness using social media? Do you need to drive a certain number of site visits and conversions from your website? What channels have you discovered your audience prefers? Make sure you describe your expectations in detail so everyone is on the same page.

Along with setting goals, you also need to have a budget in mind. While there’s typically not a set price, a credible marketing agency will know how to leverage your business on the right channels under a reasonable budget.

#3 Make sure the agency is up-to-date

The digital world is an ever-changing living environment. And as marketers, we need to be able to cultivate an adaptable mindset. Yesterday’s trend may become obsolete tomorrow. In this case, it is very important that the agency you will work with, especially if it is a long-term plan, always keeps up to speed, follows developments and popular topics, and incorporates them into its marketing strategy.

In some cases, this may cause a slight change in the original plan or may cause you to deviate from your intended path. In this case, if the agency you hire is really successful and experienced in its field, you may want to trust them.

#4 Request a proposal

Once you have a digital marketing agency in mind, you should send out a request for proposal (RFP) to express your intent. An RFP allows you to analyze the agency’s proposed strategies and select a package that best fits your needs and budget.

While a proposal should help you make an informed decision, you should also ask the agency to submit a sample article or campaign so you can see the quality of the work. A sample shows how invested the agency is in your brand and allows you to understand what exactly they are capable of.

Streamline your strategy with a digital marketing agency

Utilizing these four key steps to understand the agency will help alleviate a lot of the question marks early on. It could potentially avoid wasting your time with an agency that is the wrong fit for your business. Do your preliminary research and you’ll be able to narrow down the perfect agency for you.

If you’re interested in digital marketing agency services and you’d like to get in touch with the team at Prism, feel free to reach out - we’d be happy to help!