Searching for the Perfect Digital Agency
With so many good digital marketing companies, finding the perfect match for your business is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Written by Marie Boulton, jerram.co.uk. Jerram Marketing is a team of four highly experienced marketing, design and development professionals. Formed in 2006 they bring over 60 years of combined experience and are each highly trained in specialist areas. Image courtesy of VadimGuzhva via Bigstockphoto.
You’re looking for a way to improve your online presence and create better online recognition for your website. When you go to research your Digital Agency options, you’re confronted with 230,000,000 results from Google and overwhelming confusion. You start from the top of the list, clicking on each website, only to find that they’re not quite what you’re looking for. How are you ever going to choose the right one for you? Luckily, you clicked on this article and I have a few tips and tricks to help you find the perfect company that gets you those all needed clicks on your links and takes as much pride in your website as they do on their own.
Have a plan
The first thing to make sure of is that you have a plan. If you don’t have a rough idea of what you want, the chances are you won’t find the perfect Digital Agency for you. Just like you would ask 5 builders for information and quotes, you need to do the same with a Digital Agency. Once you have narrowed down what you’re looking for, give them a call. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have even if you feel like they’re silly, it’s important to make sure you have all your bases covered. And before you make a decision on who you want to go with, ensure that all your questions are answered.
Why do I need a Digital Agency?
One of the questions you should be asking yourself is, why do I need a Digital Agency? Is it higher rankings on Google? Brand recognition? A whole new website? If you know specifically what you’re looking for, tell them! This will help the Digital Agency plan their path and makes it easier for them to tailor their offer accordingly. It’s always worth asking them what else they could offer or do to help you reach those goals too. This is also a good way to find out whether your requests would be a one off contract or whether you would be looking at them doing some sort of website management for you. This is really important if you’re restricted by a budget as it may influence your decision; have a good understanding of your own limitations when it comes to working with Digital Agencies as costing can amount up fast.
Are they what you’re looking for?
You’ve now decided what you want from the Digital Agency and you have picked a couple that are really standing out to you – you need to do your own research into the agency itself. As you’re allowing a company to come in and potentially design and make your website, you need to make sure you like their site. Is it well designed? Is it easy to navigate? Does it do what it’s set out to do? (e.g. Do they explain clearly what they do etc.) If it looks dated and isn’t easy to use, are you sure this is the Digital Agency for you? A good Digital Agency will present their own website well (because it’s their job!) and will make it easy for you to find examples of work they’ve done because they should be proud of that work!
Make sure you read their client testimonials and reviews. Check out their websites too and ask yourself the same questions as before. If you’re still not quite sure about them, ask to meet the teams that would be doing the work for you. This is a great way to find out if you would work well with them, especially if it’s a big project. Plus it would give you an opportunity to find out their techniques, discuss your expectations and it gives them an opportunity to get to know you too. Your website and business is usually an extension of you, so it’s important for the Digital Agency that you hire to get to know you so they can better convey your business.
Keep an open mind
The most important thing is to make sure you feel comfortable working with them. Although it’s important that they understand what you’re looking for, don’t dismiss their idea’s too. They’ve probably been doing this for a long time and can suggest ways that might work well for your company. If you don’t understand something, tell them. They don’t expect you to know how to do their jobs!
There is a lot more to consider other than just competitive pricing. Make sure that you go in with an open mind and a little bit of flexibility. Check that they’re an agency that produces excellent work and has great customer service. Plus a culture that fits you and your business. By following these steps you should find your perfect Digital Agency in no time at all!
