Promoting your company is something that can feel overwhelming when you’re already spinning so many plates. Outsourcing marketing is a viable option for smaller companies without the budget or time for a dedicated in-house marketing team, larger businesses who need specific marketing specialisation, and everyone in between. But choosing a digital marketing agency in the UK can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.
It’s important to consider your growth stage, your marketing blind spots, the transparency of the company, clear KPIs to check and the track record of your options, among other things. This article will help guide prospective clients in picking the right digital agency, so you can move towards a sustainable marketing strategy that suits your needs.
Match the agency to your needs & growth stage
Digital agency marketing can take many forms, which is why you have to align your choice with where you’re at as a company. Some digital agencies will offer “full-service marketing”, while others might seek something a little bit more specialised.
- Full-service companies can provide everything from brand positioning to CRO, perfect for companies that have no internal marketing department.
- Specialist firms (focused on things like SEO, PPC or Paid Social) are best for companies that already have some marketing staff, but need support in deeper, more specific channels.
- It’s also worth considering B2C vs B2B specialisation when seeking out an agency to work with, as certain firms might be more suited to your audience.
Make sure you know who’s handling your account
It’s important to know who you’re going to be working with. UK businesses are often sold services by senior executives at digital marketing companies, only for their account to be handed to a junior account manager. It’s important to make sure that the company is transparent about who works with who, as this will make it easier to understand how your custom is prioritised.
Check for proof of quality
Digital marketing agencies love to make claims about their prowess, but they should never just be taken at face value. It’s important to seek real proof of what these companies claim to be capable of.
- Ask for clear, commercially-driven KPIs. Any performance marketing company worth its salt should offer clear metrics for success.
- Check for case studies and success stories of their work in the past, giving extra points for any clients or campaigns you recognise. In the same vein, check for written client testimonials to see what collaborators actually have to say about the agency, scanning for key points that matter to you as a customer.
- Ensure that every company you work for is properly compliant and registered with the ICO, GDPR/PECR and any other regulatory bodies relevant to your company.
Pick a digital marketing agency that’s easy to trust
Specialising your choices to your needs, checking for clear transparency, and being well aware of measurable quality should make it easy to know which agencies you can trust. Do your due diligence and seek out a relationship with an agency that you know can last.
For more insights into the world of digital marketing, from a range of different angles, check out the Digital Next Blog today.
