Marketing Must-Haves: What to Look for When Hiring an Online Marketing Firm
July 20th, 2015 by
You may be worried that outsourcing your online marketing efforts will mean losing control of your company’s voice.
You are the expert when it comes to your company’s unique selling points, after all. However, a good online marketing firm will want to work hand-in-hand with you to make sure your story stays intact and works for you. Remember, they are also experts! A good marketing firm can help tell your story on multiple platforms and ensure it stands out above the competition, whether it is local or industry-driven. Here are some tips for hiring the right online marketing firm.
Find a firm that provides a full arsenal of services.
An effective marketing firm will offer a full range of services. To be competitive online, you need to reach your desired audience wherever they may be, and they may be on multiple platforms. Search engine optimization, social media, and advertising are all important elements to a successful marketing effort. Remember, it’s not enough to plop a website online or create a Facebook page and hope for the best. A marketing firm should be able to do keyword research, write compelling content, and handle your advertising investment.
Check testimonials and read successful case studies.
When you’re hiring an individual, you always ask for a resume, conduct an interview, and check their references. You should follow the same rules when hiring a marketing firm. Think of their website and online presence as their resume. What do they have to offer? How do they approach their job differently than others? Then start a dialogue with the company. Get on the phone with them. Ask questions, learn more about the company culture, and evaluate whether or not their team can help you achieve your goals. Finally, check references. You want to make sure their other customers are satisfied. Read their testimonials and case studies, such as the Success Stories showcased on the Search Influence website, to get an understanding of how they measure success.
Make sure the firm utilizes analytics and lead tracking.
One of the most important aspects of a marketing plan is analytics. Without solid and consistent analytics set up on the front end, you won’t be able to see the fruits of your marketing efforts—and most importantly, your return on investment. A good marketing firm will be results oriented and will be able to talk you through their analytics and lead tracking process. When hiring a marketing firm, make sure they are able to track how a visitor came to your site, whether it was through paid or organic search, a referring site, or an email marketing campaign; which search engines are being used to find your site; what keywords you’re ranking for (and what keywords you SHOULD be ranking for); what page of your site is generating leads and conversions; and your audience’s physical location.
Follow these three helpful tips to hire the right online marketing firm for your company, and see your traffic increase and your leads turn to conversions.
