Before a business selects an Internet marketing company they may ask themselves what their general marketing needs are. Some businesses may have already done some Internet marketing such as setting up and running a Google adWords campaign whilst others are brand new to this avenue of marketing and really aren’t sure what they might need in order for it to be successful. Internet Marketing is fairly new in terms of marketing channels and there are certain companies promising unrealistic goals to prospective clients. The great aspect of Internet marketing is the measurability of campaigns but with Search Engine Optimisation there is no guarantee on what position Google will place you on and therefore be weary of agencies or individuals making such guarantees.
Here are some ideas of what to think about before making a commitment to any Internet marketing company:
Knowledge: Is your agency or individual knowledgeable in Internet marketing and are they willing to take the time to explain what it is they will be doing. Internet marketing companies may not go into extensive detail on certain aspects of Internet marketing because of trade secrets but overall they should be able to give prospective clients ideas on how they will manage their campaigns.
Experience: Choose an agency or Internet marketer who has experience in a variety of industries and hopefully something similar to your industry. Be cautious of someone who has run one or two campaigns and is now claiming to be a professional. If your company is fairly small it might be a good idea to utilise a smaller agency as they might give you more personal attention and take the time to explain everything a little bit more.
Location: With Skype and email, there is no need to choose an Internet marketing company on your doorstep so look around and make the decision based on a number of factors and not just on the fact that they are situated in your area.
Cost: Much like most things in life cheaper is not always better so be aware that the cheapest quote may not get you the most experienced Internet marketing company. This doesn’t mean that the most expensive quote is the right person for the job either. Look at their experience, client base and knowledge and then decide if you are willing to pay their required fees. Your fees should always be quoted with an amount allocated to media spend and also an amount for a service fee. Generally the media spend is a suggestion from your agency but you can choose to increase or decrease that depending on your overall marketing budget. The service fee charged is used to manage, analyse and report on your campaign.
There are many aspects to take into consideration when selecting an Internet marketing company but one non-negotiable is that they are Google Advertising Professionals. This means they have written and passed a minimum of two exams set by Google. Take the time to invest in a good Internet marketing company and the results will be worth it!
