How to Best Work With an Agency for Digital Marketing

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Are you thinking about working with a digital marketing agency but aren’t sure exactly how that would, well, work? Have you had bad experiences in the past in working with an agency for digital marketing only to find that they weren’t very good at collaborating? No matter how great an agency’s portfolio or sales pitch is, success will, in large part, be defined by how they work with you. 

 

Here at Website Depot for example, we tailor our collaboration strategies for our client’s specific needs, just as we do with everything else. There are some clients who we’re in contact with practically daily. They want to be involved in every single aspect of their digital marketing. 

 

Other clients are as “hands-off” as can be, only wanting to see the results. Many of our other clients are somewhere in between. 

 

Regardless of your digital marketing agency, below are some of the ways that they should work with you. 

Set Clear Expectations From the Very Beginning 

Define what you’re aiming to accomplish, agree on deadlines, and outline each party’s responsibilities. The more specific, the better. 

Additionally, consider the key performance indicators (KPIs) you’ll use to measure success. Whether your KPIs focus on brand visibility, customer engagement, or lead generation, clarify these metrics from the outset. Providing this direction enables the agency to develop a campaign that meets your specific performance benchmarks.

These early conversations should cover key elements like campaign objectives, budgets, and timelines. This ensures both you and the agency have a shared vision and a roadmap for achieving your goals.

Communicate Consistently and Listen Properly 

Set up regular check-ins, whether through meetings on a set schedule, reports, or even quick status calls. These very well may depend upon the package you have with your agency. Both you and the agency should agree on major deadlines and milestones in advance, allowing time for feedback and adjustments.

People have different communication styles, and sharing your preferences early can prevent misunderstandings. Whether you prefer email updates, weekly calls, or quick updates, communicate your style to the agency.

Agencies aim to be adaptable, so working out these preferences upfront will help streamline communication and minimize confusion.

By that same token, your digital marketing agency should have extensive knowledge and experience. It’s worth it to listen to their insights and recommendations, as they are likely drawing from successful strategies and campaigns from other clients in similar industries. Qualified agencies spend considerable time on research, testing, and trend analysis, so be open to their advice and feedback.

Your agency was selected for their skills and knowledge, so trust their process and recommendations. If they suggest adjustments to your strategy or challenge your ideas, try to remain open. 

At the same time, offer constructive feedback when needed. If certain campaign elements aren’t performing as expected, communicate these observations clearly. By combining your business insights with the agency’s expertise, you can create a flexible, evolving approach that responds effectively and appropriately. 

Make Sure the Agency Knows Your Business

An agency’s effectiveness often depends on how well they understand your company. Encourage the agency to get to know your business thoroughly by introducing them to team members they may not work with directly, sharing brand guidelines, and involving them in key initiatives from the start. Again, this may depend upon your package as well as your goals. 

Providing insight into your company culture, business structure, and market dynamics helps the agency create strategies that resonate with your target audience.

Where possible, invite agency members to experience your products or services firsthand. This direct exposure can deepen their understanding and provide unique perspectives they can incorporate into campaigns. 

As a content creator, I cannot tell you how helpful this is when a client does this. Sure, I can do my own independent research, but when they provide it to me, everything can go much faster. 

Honesty and Transparency Carry the Day 

Be upfront about budget limitations, timeline constraints, and any other challenges that may arise. Openly discussing what is and isn’t feasible will help manage expectations and prevent any misunderstandings down the line.

It’s equally important to voice concerns early. If a project isn’t progressing as expected or if certain deliverables fall short, bring it to the agency’s attention constructively. This direct approach fosters an environment of accountability and problem-solving, encouraging both parties to address issues before they impact results.

Understand the Agency’s Full Range of Services and How They Could Help You 

While you may initially hire an agency for a single project—such as a website overhaul or social media campaign—it’s valuable to understand the broader services they offer. Agencies often provide a wide range of marketing solutions, from SEO and content marketing to data analytics and conversion optimization. 

Once they’re familiar with your brand, they may be well-positioned to handle future projects or suggest services that support your growth.

This happens all the time here at Website Depot. So often, we’ll have a client come to us to build a new website, redesign theirs, or something similar. Then, after they see what we can do, they sign up for a digital marketing package or something similar. 

Remember: Your Agency of Digital Marketing is Your Partner 

A collaborative relationship encourages creativity, innovation, and a sense of shared purpose. When both parties are committed to a common goal, (as your agency should be), they’re more likely to push for results that go beyond basic deliverables.

For example, while your agency will conduct its own research, sharing relevant industry insights can provide them with valuable context. Regularly provide them with reports, competitor analysis, or trends specific to your industry. This information can refine their strategies, ensuring they’re informed by both data and the nuances of your business.

An Agency of Digital Marketing That Can Help With So Much More 

By following these strategies, you’ll create a successful partnership with your digital marketing agency. This approach ensures that both parties are aligned in goals, equipped with the information they need, and committed to achieving shared success.

Any agency you work with should be adaptable. That means they should have an entire team of professionals who can adapt their work to your needs, yes. But, it also means they should be able to adapt to your company to best serve you. That’s what we’ve been doing at Website Depot for a long time. 

To see how we can help you, schedule a free consultation through this site or by calling.