How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency in Australia
The right digital marketing campaign can help brands reach new levels of visibility, reputation, and sales. It is not, however, something that most Australian businesses have the skill set or the time for. They're already focused on providing great services and products. It's a lot more convenient for most companies to hire an agency that already has the knowledge and tools, but finding the right digital marketing agency in Australia isn't always easy.
There are many different firms to choose from, and if you're not an expert in digital technologies yourself, it can be difficult to tell who really knows what they're doing. In this guide, we outline the key factors to consider when choosing an agency. Then, you can find one that will truly deliver for your business.
Set Out Your Goals and Budget
The decision to outsource to a digital marketing agency in Australia should be treated the same way as any other business decision. That means making clear what you want to achieve and how much money you're willing to spend on it. Obviously, the ultimate goal of any marketing campaign is to boost sales, but you should try to be more specific when setting your goals. What do you think will drive new sales?
Maybe you need to raise awareness of your brand or boost your website's ranking on Google. Perhaps you need to target a new audience, design ads that convert better, or get better at finding leads online. Your agency will tailor their strategies to these goals.
Check Out Their Industry Experience
Some aspects of digital marketing are very technical, and the landscape is constantly shifting. That means there are a lot of myths floating around about what really works, and inattentive agencies may be clinging onto methods that no longer work. A good way to find out if an agency really knows what they're doing is to request recent case studies.
All good agencies have case studies ready to prove that they've delivered results for recent clients. Ideally, the clients would have operated in your industry. Some agencies may specialise in businesses like yours, although these aren't necessarily any better than ones with a diverse portfolio. The most important takeaway for any agency is that they have worked successfully in your industry.
Evaluate Their Range of Services
You might have heard the expression that when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Well, there are many different aspects to digital marketing, and while some agencies offer full-service solutions, others specialise. And if you go to an agency that specialises in SEO, you are likely to be told that SEO is what your company needs. Even if it's not the best strategy.
If you've already determined what service your company needs, then by all means use a specialist. Just make sure that you are aware of the range of services on offer before working with your agency.
Assess Their Communication and Reporting Practices
A typical digital marketing agency in Australia will charge a monthly retainer, plus costs such as ad spend. Campaigns can take months, and in the meantime you'll probably want some indication that your money is being put to good use. Agencies will send periodic reports for this reason, but the frequency may vary between agencies. Make sure the reports are detailed and frequent enough for your needs.
You should also ensure that any agency you work with is responsive enough. Taking days to reply to clients or making them hold for too long before answering the phone shows a lack of care about customers. Look for an agency that excels at customer service, especially during the early stages of onboarding new clients. This may be crucial if there are any problems or disputes later on.
Understand The Pricing Structure
While we mentioned earlier that a typical digital marketing agency in Australia will charge a retainer plus costs, this isn't always the case. Some charge by project, by time spent, or calculate their fee based on performance. Some may use a hybrid of all the mentioned pricing methods. No single method is necessarily better than any other. The important thing is to make sure they are transparent about the structure and that you understand it.
An agency's rates may also be based on factors like their reputation and experience. An agency that is very strong in this regard is likely to charge more than the market rate. In any case, it's good to get estimates from multiple agencies for comparison. Just remember that the cheapest is not always the best. A great agency charging close to market rates may be better than a less experienced one charging far less.
Conclusion
Digital marketing for small businesses and big ones is often outsourced. Since not every business succeeds, we can assume that some agencies are superior to others, which means it's important to work with the right one. With these tips, you'll have no trouble finding a great digital marketing agency in Australia to help your business reach new heights.