Five Traits To Look For In Your Next Digital Marketing Agency

If you have plans to redesign your website, execute new digital marketing campaigns or work out the technical kinks in your current digital strategy, chances are you're working with or looking for a digital marketing agency partner.

Finding the right agency is crucial to the success of your digital strategy initiatives and can make a big impact on your business. This is why vetting and finding the right digital agency for your business is so important.

Here are five traits to look for in your next digital marketing agency.

1. Relevant Experience

Finding an agency with relevant experience in your industry is important, but the experience doesn't have to be exact. When researching an agency, check out their work or clients page. Generally, this is an area where agencies highlight some of the work that they're most proud of. Look for agencies that have done work with similar companies, industries or target audiences. Finding something similar indicates that they may be able to understand your business' needs in a unique way because of their experience.

2. Great Website

A great website is the cornerstone to any effective digital marketing strategy. According to Adobe's State of Content Report, 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive. A similar number of people will also stop engaging if the content is too long or loads too slow.

The first thing you'll see when researching a digital agency is their website. If they're using effective SEO practices, they should be easy to find on Google or any other search engine. Their website should be visually appealing, easy to use and have the main elements of any inbound marketing strategy: A responsive website, active blog, easy website navigation, calls to action sprinkled through the website, case studies, etc. Take the time to find an agency with a great looking website that resonates with your design taste.

3. Good Communication

At this point, you're probably already in discussions with different agencies about your needs and their different marketing offerings. Having multiple meetings, phone calls and emails can seem like a daunting task, but think of it as an opportunity. Your first interactions with an agency set the tone for the rest of the relationship.

It is important to really decipher these conversations and make sure that you're being heard and the agency is listening to your needs. Good and transparent communication is one of the most important traits to look for in a digital marketing agency.

4. Years of Experience

Digital marketing is a constantly evolving industry and always changing (Digital Marketing Institute). While years of expertise isn't the ultimate decider in what makes a good agency, it is often an indicator. Agencies without many years under their belts can be great partners, but when an agency has been in business for a longer period of time, that is typically a good indicator that they're doing something right.

Look for an agency with years of expertise, but don't ignore the other traits that make for a great digital marketing partner.

5. Good Culture Fit

Is your company laid-back or work hard, play hard? Whatever your company culture is like, make sure you find an agency that can fit into the mix. While the past work an agency has done is important, it is just as important to find the right culture fit. Developing a great relationship is the most important element to finding a long-term agency partner.

Choosing a digital marketing agency can be a tough decision, but looking for the traits I mentioned above makes it a lot easier! Make sure to do your research, ask questions and ask your friends. You'll find the right partner in no time!

If you have additional questions or are interested in discussing digital strategies, feel free to contact us at ArcStone!