Embarking on the quest to establish an in-house marketing department might seem daunting, yet it’s an essential voyage for any thriving business. But fear not, for in digital marketing, a strategic partner can be your guiding light through challenging terrain. There is plenty of digital marketing service providers willing to partner with your business, but choosing the right one is critical.
Ask These 7 Essential Questions Before Choosing a Digital Advertising Vendor
Before integrating a specific digital marketing service provider into your business, it’s crucial to vet potential candidates by asking the right questions. Hiring the right digital marketing partner will improve your business operations and give you leverage over your competitors.
This decision shouldn’t be taken lightly. You may choose your partner based on how many campaigns they manage, how they handle challenges, their customer service, or if they’ve passed your “beer test.” Either way, choose your criteria based on your business’s long-term goals, and leverage our tried-and-true questions to select ‘The One.’
1. What responsibilities will I take on in this journey to success?
Some imagine that once they hire a digital marketing partner, they will transfer the entire responsibility of handling their marketing campaigns to these professionals. But your involvement in your business’s sales and marketing activities is not an option if you want your business to thrive. For that reason, you should determine what you are expected to do to make this partnership successful. By determining your position early on, you can help your digital marketing partner gather information on your business so they can help create an ideal marketing strategy based on your unique needs.
2. Will you offer content management services?
Effective management of every detail on your website is necessary if you want to capture the attention of your target audience and retain existing customers. When you don’t update your website regularly, those who visit your site may not take you seriously, which can affect your business negatively. Can you blame them? You’d get bored if you had to look at the same thing repeatedly. While some digital marketing partners may offer content management services, others may not.
Suppose content management is not part of the services offered by a potential digital partner. In that case, you should identify an employee within your team who can handle this responsibility once you hire such a service vendor. Alternatively, choose another option offering content management services if you can’t identify an employee to take on this responsibility. Content is the fuel that runs your website, and you cannot overlook the necessity of ensuring that it offers the solutions your audience needs.
3. How will you align advertising campaigns with our brand?
Advertising campaigns have become an ideal marketing strategy for various brands, which is why digital advertising partners use this approach. The challenge is that some digital partners tend to replicate their advertising campaigns, which may not yield desirable results depending on the nature of your business.
The digital partner you plan to engage with should define the advertising strategy they will adopt, reflecting your goals and brand standards. Find the partner who makes you feel like you are the only one on their mind.
4. How will you measure ROI?
The ultimate goal of hiring a digital marketing partner is to notice a return on investment after some time. Since acquiring a digital partner’s services is part of your firm’s operational expenses, you should get details on how the service vendor intends to accomplish this objective before hiring them.
If a prospective digital partner cannot convince you how they will measure ROI in line with your company’s goals, they may not be the ideal candidate for the job. Being open about your ambitions from the very beginning will help facilitate a thought-out plan on how you will measure ROI. Remember, results are key; ensure your potential partner understands that, too.
5. Do you have referrals or previous projects for reference?
Any digital marketing partner claiming to have years of experience should have referrals, and you should avoid hiring them before you see their work. The ideal digital partner should connect you with previous customers or provide details of advertising campaigns featuring their work. This will give you insight into what you can expect from them.
Some digital service providers even have partnerships with Google, Facebook, and other credible platforms, allowing them access to the latest developments that benefit your business. It’s safe to say if they have partnerships with the big names, they have value to offer you.
6. Will you offer follow-up services?
It’s essential to choose a potential digital marketing service partner that will support you during your entire quest and not one who abandons ship once one battle is over. The best partners are the ones who offer follow-up services and continue providing value. These services could include continued digital marketing education, one-on-one in-person/online visits, webinars, useful case studies, or other resources that will benefit your business.
If a prospective digital partner does not offer follow-up services, you are back at ground zero, which means more money coming out of your pocket. Be sure to ask this question so you collaborate with a partner who will stick by you the whole journey, saving you both time and money.
7. What will be the best mode of communication?
If there is one secret to maintaining any relationship, it’s communication. Everyone has their methods of communication, which is why you should know your partner’s preferred method before you even begin working with them.
Opting to engage a particular digital marketing service vendor signifies the start of a journey and a relationship in which both parties should benefit. The ability to reach your digital partner round the clock when you need their assistance is paramount and gives you peace of mind. As you try to identify the right digital partner, you should establish how to communicate with them.
Experience a Partnership, Not Just Another Vendor
Hiring the right digital partner should mean seeing the results you are searching for–whether it’s revenue growth or visibility.
If you’re ready to elevate your digital success with a partner who follows through on their promises and is committed to your goals, look no further than AdCellerant. Experience the difference yourself:
- Partner-centric approach. We care about your success as much as you do.
- Dedicated Account Management. A team focused on helping you reach your goals.
- Continuous performance optimization. Our operations team fine-tunes campaigns for optimal results.
- Award-winning, human-centered support. Real people, 100% U.S.-baked, for top-notch service.
Request a demo today to learn how we can help your business grow while developing a long-lasting partnership.
