Logic suggests choosing your digital marketing agency on the basis of performance, market presence, reviews and peer recognition. To research and interview and see if they have the capacity and industry experience relevant to your business. Yes, that all makes good reasoning...

Yet, in the end, what you need is someone or a team of skilled, passionate professionals who really 'get' the essence of you and your business in order to project your brand and key message to your target markets in effective ways. So, beyond achievements, impressive past and current clients, market presence, stats and testimonials, the thing you really ought to look for is whether you feel that there is alignment. That the team which will work on your campaigns and client account actually has vision and creativity, understands what you are trying to do and have passion and pride for their work. This is what will really take any campaign and marketing strategy to the next level. 

Anyone, well most decent agencies, can accomplish developing and implementing a marketing campaign, but if you really want to have your brand, key messages and the essence of your business communicated to your target audiences effectively - then nothing beats true alignment and passion. 

I have been in marketing close to two decades, have run my own firm for a decade, and in looking back over the many clients we have worked with and run campaigns for, the ones that have really been outstanding have been where we have been more than just client and agency, but deeply engaged in the success of the business, passionate and full of ideas because of it...  Yes, picking an agency that has kicked some goals, perhaps won some industry awards and has a strong list of past and current clients is a good basis - but most certainly, if there is no passion, care, deep understanding and alignment that will have them go the extra distance - then the outcomes will certainly be stunted. Essentially, you gotta like them, they need to like you and your business - people do business with people and their job is to engage people with your brand...  it really makes it a no-brainer what to look for and how to choose the right agency for 2019 for your business. Right?

 If you want a checklist of nitty-gritty questions to ask your potential digital agency team - reach out on info@smart-solutions.com.au. Happy researching and choosing!

I reverse engineer the selection by weeding out the Spruikers first.
If they don't insist on first reviewing my website, funnels and various lead magnets for overall performance using historical metrics... then forget them.
Next review their website and where they rank in Google.
Then ask them what are their suggestions.
If they reply no cash / no comment then forget them
By progressively turning the spotlight back onto the Digital Marketing Agencies using a review checklist you can cut through the BS and Jargon.
If you want a checklist to find the best online marketing companies I can prepare one :-)

I agree with Eric. While it’s natural to choose a digital marketing agency for SMEs based on price, awards and reputation, I think one of the most important factors in selecting a digital marketing agency for small businesses is their willingness to listen and collaborate towards a shared goal.

SME marketing agencies need to be not just interested but invested in your brand, products, how you do things, customers and competitors. This is because no two businesses are alike, and a good digital agency will find the time to know you and tailor their approach to each client. This is the building block towards a long-term partnership. Sure, you can hire a “rah-rah” marketing agency, launch a big campaign with decent results and then flicker after. At the end of the day, it’s about working towards a mutual goal and vision.
 
You can also assess the talent they have. This may or may not be easy to spot after several discussions. Awards and recognition may give you some insight but not the full picture. I’d also say that talent has something to do with the agency’s culture. A digital marketing agency that is open to feedback and eagerly learning can mean that their graphic designers, copywriter and marketing experts are free to express their creativity and test out new tools and tricks. Also, try and get a word-of-mouth opinion on the agency, study their portfolio and talk to ex-clients, if possible, to see what the agency has achieved in your industry, quality of work, and values.
 
Thirdly, suss out if they are taking their own advice in marketing. This is easy to tell by googling relevant search terms to see where their website rank, look at their website, social media profiles and content they put out to market their own agency.
 
Price is important but it shouldn’t be the be-all, end-all factor in hiring a digital marketing agency. Finding the right cultural fit, shared vision, expertise and value for money should trump just dollars and cents.
 

Don't underestimate the importance of culture - skills are important, but you have to get along with the people who will be putting in the work to transform your business.

Also, look at how they adapt to change. The digital landscape shifts *constantly*, so adaptability is the most important trait. You don't want to go with someone who is locked into one discipline or way of working and won't consider alternatives. 

Just like with trades, if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail..

There's a certain paradox in marketing companies marketing themselves - if they convinced you to sign up, they must be great, right?

A friend of mine was passing by a major marketing firm and thought he was stop in and speak to the team. He was stonewalled by a receptionist who told him all the consultants were busy, and that there would be a 30 minute wait, at least, before he could talk to someone.

The receptionist didn't even take his name. Needless to say, they lost his business before they even got a chance to pitch for it.

Marketing can sell itself to a point - the Fyre Festival was one of the best marketed events in human history, but the execution...well, you know what happened there.

I think a good marketing agency has to be not only good at marketing YOU and your brand, but have good customer service. They speak in plain English, explain where your spend goes and your ROI, and are invested in your success. They're not interested in showing you their trophy case; their work should speak for itself.

A marketing company's next best campaign should always be yours.

Choosing the best online marketing company for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) can be a challenging task, as there are many factors to consider. Here are some tips that may help you choose the best online marketing company for your SME:

1. Look for experience: Look for online marketing companies that have experience working with SMEs. The company should understand the challenges faced by small businesses and have a track record of delivering results.

2. Check their portfolio: Review the company's portfolio to see if they have experience in your industry and if they have delivered successful campaigns for their clients. This will give you an idea of their expertise and the type of results you can expect.

3. Look for relevant services: Make sure the online marketing company you choose offers the services that are most relevant to your SME's marketing needs. For example, if you need help with social media marketing, make sure they have experience in this area.

4. Check their pricing: Look for an online marketing company that offers transparent pricing and a clear breakdown of their services. Avoid companies that charge exorbitant fees or require long-term contracts.

5. Consider communication and reporting: Choose a company that values communication and transparency. You should be able to easily communicate with them and receive regular updates on the progress of your campaigns.

6. Check their certifications: Look for online marketing companies that have certifications from reputable organizations such as Google, Facebook, or HubSpot. These certifications indicate that the company has the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage your campaigns.

7. Read reviews and testimonials: Check online reviews and testimonials from past clients to see what they have to say about the company. This will give you an idea of their level of customer service and the results they have delivered.

Overall, choosing the best online marketing company for your SME requires careful consideration of your business needs and the company's experience, services, pricing, communication, certifications, and reviews.