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The pros and cons of hiring a digital marketing agency

By Guardian Nigeria
16 December 2022   |   10:36 am
What would happen if you didn’t market your business? And what would happen to your marketing if digital media didn't exist? Sure, it wouldn't get you absolutely anywhere, but it also wouldn't get you very far. You need digital marketing to move your business in the direction you want it to go and accomplish your…

What would happen if you didn’t market your business? And what would happen to your marketing if digital media didn’t exist? Sure, it wouldn’t get you absolutely anywhere, but it also wouldn’t get you very far.

You need digital marketing to move your business in the direction you want it to go and accomplish your business objectives. Suppose you run a clinic as a pediatrician or a team of medical professionals. No matter how great the demand for your services is, no one will visit your clinic if they are unaware of its existence or have no idea why they should choose yours over the others in the area.

You can do it yourself by doing it solo or by assembling a group of your own team. Hiring ‘someone else’ typically refers to a digital marketing agency rather than an individual strategist.

So, which strategy would be most effective for your business? To help you in making a decision, here are the pros and disadvantages to consider:

The Pros

Though there are advantages, it’s important to remember to read the reviews that the agencies you’re considering have collected. If the agency has been operating long enough, they’re certain to have a few negative reviews; check out how they dealt with them to get a sense of how they operate. You can see reviews from websites such as the center for work life and others.

Now take a look at the upsides of hiring a digital agency:

  • You’ll Have Access To Multiple Marketing Specialist

Working with individuals who have in-depth experience and knowledge in marketing is undoubtedly the major benefit of using a marketing agency. Rather than hiring an employee who may need training and isn’t an expert in all areas, you can get access to a web designer, developer, PR/social media marketer, paid search specialist, etc., for the same price, or slightly more. Therefore, it’s to your advantage to work with those who hold such positions, as they know the ins and outs of marketing.

Furthermore, your in-house marketing team might pick up some useful tips from the agency.

  • There’s Open Collaboration

Agencies are like mini-communities, filled with creative thinkers, doers, movers, and shakers who work well together as a unit, with their clients, and in the broader marketing industry. The power of group brainstorming can be harnessed through outsourcing and put to good use.

  • You’ll Have Access To Advanced Tools And Partners

Their partner and resource networks can increase your brand’s visibility with relatively minimal effort on your part. In many circumstances, they can negotiate lower costs for the technological resources you need, provide better support and customer service through agency representatives, and grant you access to modern ad platforms that can boost your ROI.

  • It’s Time-Saving

Hiring a digital marketing agency also has the added benefit of reducing workload. It takes a lot of effort to develop and oversee a successful digital marketing strategy, especially if you aren’t up-to-date on the latest strategies and tools. If you outsource it, you’ll have more time to focus on other elements of managing your business.

  • You’ll See Better Results

There are usually very skilled creative directors working at marketing agencies. Teams of brilliant creators, such as copywriters, designers, and illustrators, work under those directors. They can take something as basic as selling items and transform it into an advertising masterpiece, a website, or a billboard that makes people stop and take interest.

If you genuinely think your company can benefit from fresh ideas, you should get started on your search and find the ideal agency for your needs.

The Cons

The following are some of the disadvantages and difficulties that you should be aware of when hiring a digital marketing agency:

  • They May Have Different Clients

When it comes to running your business, you may be focused, but your marketing agency likely handles a number of clients. Some SEO specialists at large agencies can juggle as many as seventeen client accounts at once. Some may pay more for services, so they get prioritized over you. Sometimes this causes project deadlines to be moved.

A competent agency, however, will be effectively managed and set reasonable timeframes. No clients should ever feel second-rate. Talk to the account managers at any marketing agencies you’re considering to see how many clients they currently have. You can probably assess their workload based on this.

  • You’ll Have Less Control

The loss of some control over your brand’s online presence is just another consideration you should make before hiring a digital marketing agency. Depending on your perspective, this could be a positive or negative move. But in either case, when you hire an agency, you’ll have to give up some influence over your brand’s online persona.

  • It Can Be Expensive

Hiring an agency can be costly to some firms, especially those with limited resources. To maximize your return on investment, search for the lowest price possible while still receiving the quality of service you need.

Whether or not to hire a digital marketing agency is determined by the business objectives and resources at its disposal. But before going any further, you need to check whether the digital marketing agency is legit. You can go here to help you check its legitimacy.

Factors To Consider When Choosing An Agency

You should think about the following points to decide if a digital agency is ideal for your business:

  • Industry Expertise

Finding an agency that has worked with businesses like yours before will pay off. They are familiar with your pain points and may offer advice and assistance to help you develop marketing initiatives that directly connect to your demographic.

  • Pricing

When searching for a service, price is naturally your first consideration. However, when looking for a digital marketing plan, it is not recommended to choose the cheapest option. For the simple reason that there are already a lot of digital marketing agencies pretending to be experts when they clearly aren’t.

This doesn’t require a significant digital marketing budget, though. Determine what services you need, then explore reputable providers. Only invest if you think they’ll be helpful.

  • Their Strategy

The importance of strategy might be overlooked in the midst of the pressure to adopt new technologies. Planning is essential. After settling on a plan of action, the rest of the components will fall into to help you succeed. So, look for an agency that will understand your business, objectives, and existing performance before committing.

You should try out a digital agency if you find one that follows effective marketing trends and several of these qualities.

Conclusion

Digital marketing can be quite tricky. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle or feel overwhelmed by all the information out there because there are so many multiple strategies to choose from. However, if you work for a marketing agency, you won’t have to worry much about any of that.