The digital marketing world is highly competitive. It is a constant battle for top spots on Google’s first page, visibility on social media, and quality leads. Fighting this battle to keep your business in the spotlight can be overwhelming for the average entrepreneur. That’s where a professional digital marketing agency can help. However, not all agencies are created equal. To avoid falling into the hands of scammers and crooked businesses, it’s important to do your research and use caution when choosing an agency. Here are eight red flags while hiring a marketing agency:
Lack of Communication or Poor Communication
Lack of communication or poor communication often signals disorganization and a lack of respect for clients. Pay attention to how quickly a digital marketing agency responds to your inquiries. If it takes a week or more to get back to you, this is a major red flag while hiring a digital marketing agency. Additionally, if an agency’s representatives show up to meetings late without any prior warnings, this is another bad sign.
Making Big Guarantees
Because the digital marketing world changes all the time, it’s impossible to make promises about results. Trends change overnight, and target audiences are fickle. There is no way to ensure that any digital marketing strategy campaign will succeed. Marketing is a gamble. However, a crooked digital marketing agency won’t tell you that. Instead, its representatives will make big promises about getting on the first page of Google and gaining an astronomical level of leads. Promising any results, especially high-stakes ones, is one of the red flags while hiring a marketing agency.
Offering Exaggeratedly Quick Results
We live in a world of instant gratification. You can get packages delivered overnight and messages within minutes. Because of the instant gratification culture, many business owners expect to get overnight results with digital marketing. Good agencies, however, understand that digital marketing is a long-term game. Sometimes, it takes up to 12 months to see the results of a successful strategy. Thus, if an agency is promising you instant results, it’s probably not a great choice for you.
Suspiciously Cheap Prices
Fast food is affordable, but it certainly won’t taste like a Michelin star meal. You’re getting what you pay for—a low-quality, greasy meal. When it comes to digital marketing agencies, this concept is the same. A digital marketing agency that offers big promises in exchange for very little money should instantly raise your suspicion. They probably use banned techniques such as keyword stuffing that will get your business in big trouble. Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra money to hire the Michelin star agency.
Refusing Your Right to Marketing Assets
A reputable agency should let you retain the rights to any marketing assets they assisted you with, whether you continue to work with them or not. If it’s part of an agency’s policies to retain the rights to your marketing assets, that’s a huge red flag. This is often a hostage tactic to force you into continuing with their services. Make sure you ask about marketing assets straight away when inquiring about an agency.
No Reviews Or Testimonials
A marketing agency should have a multitude of glowing reviews and testimonials. While some clients leave bad reviews because they are difficult and easily offended, most of the time, a wealth of negative feedback is a huge red flag while hiring a marketing agency. Also suspicious is a complete lack of reviews. That means either the agency is very inexperienced or a scam. Never hire an agency without a healthy amount of five-star reviews.
No Focus on Data and Research
It’s impossible to be a successful digital marketer without relying on research and data. There is no guessing in digital marketing. Everything needs to be backed by facts. Additionally, good digital marketing agencies will analyze the success of their campaigns, then use the data to adjust things as necessary. You can’t just sit back and hope for results. Digital marketing strategies require constant innovation and improvement.
Signs of a Good Digital Marketing Agency
Now you know how to identify bad digital marketing agencies. But how about finding a high-quality agency? We can help with that. Look out for these three things when you’re ready to hire a professional:
An Impressive Website
Any potential agency you want to work with should have an excellent website. This speaks volumes for their abilities. If they can create a beautiful, user-friendly website for themselves, they are qualified to help you with yours. Don’t be afraid to be picky. It’s important to find a digital marketing agency that you feel comfortable working with. If an agency’s site doesn’t wow you, move on.
A Killer Portfolio
A digital marketing agency should be able to present you with proof of their abilities. If an agency’s representatives can show you impressive examples of past work, that’s a good indicator they will be able to assist you. Look for portfolio examples that line up with work you would like done for your business
Capability to Perform Many Services
A digital marketing agency usually specializes in multiple services so you only need to work with one. You shouldn’t need to go to two different agencies for social media marketing and email campaigns. A legitimate agency should be able to do both of those things and more.
ASAP Marketing Solutions Can Help You Succeed!
ASAP Marketing Solutions is a full-service digital marketing agency. We can assist you with everything from video marketing to email campaigns. Rely on us for quality services. Get in contact today and up your digital marketing game!