Picking a Digital Agency
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Once you’ve decided to work on your online strategy, it’s time to start thinking about choosing a digital agency. A digital agency is effectively a one-stop shop for all your online needs. Whilst some agencies might specialise in only web design or only web marketing, most are what we call full service digital agencies. A full service digital agency is one which has the expertise to manage everything relating to your online strategy. This means that everything from the design and development of your website, to the online marketing can be managed by one company. This avoids crossed wires and communication breakdowns whilst saving time and money.
When it comes to selecting your digital agency, perhaps the biggest factor will be your budget. Try to think about it in terms of investing rather than spending. Many of the best known traditional advertising agencies now include their own digital agency. These might be reputable, respected and expensive, but you’ll find as much expertise, if not more, in the smaller agencies.
Think about what the digital agency can offer you. When budget is tight, it can be very attractive to see some tangible return on investment. With web marketing, this is easier. The boost in web traffic and, hopefully, the associated increase in revenue from e-commerce speak for themselves.
It is also a good idea to research a digital agency’s existing client list and portfolio of work. An agency which has experience of successfully producing sites with similar functionality as your own is likely to be a good choice. Similarly, find out the name of the digital agency which made a website you admire. You can normally find a link to the digital agency somewhere on the site.
You could also search online for a digital agency. Remember that their position in the search engine rankings is likely to be a reflection of their marketing abilities. Also if a digital agency has an unattractive site or one that is hard to navigate, you should avoid them.
Finally, if you are really keen to consider many options, think about submitting your brief to a tender website. Interested digital agencies will then submit their ideas and proposals and you might find you’re presented with some really original ideas that you might not otherwise have seen.
