There are many reasons to hire an ecommerce agency that will help you streamline your brand for success.
Perhaps you’re ready to welcome a new perspective, you want to lean on the skill set of an experienced agency, or you simply see higher potential for your brand. An ecommerce agency can bring expertise, better positioning, and can optimise your conversion rates.
Here are just a few factors that a good ecommerce agency can help you with…
- Implementing strategies
- Improving SEO rankings for your brand
- Optimising your conversion rates
- Honing your brand development and communications
- Providing insightful data and analytics
- Implementing tools and software for growth
- Creative campaigns and content
- Email marketing
- Web development and design
Finding the right ecommerce agency is one of the most important decisions you will make for your brand. Hiring an ecommerce agency should be akin to picking a partnership as in true symbiosis, both parties will benefit from a fruitful and mutual relationship.
Here are a few tips to consider when it comes to hiring the right ecommerce agency.
Know what you want
Before you sit down to find the best ecommerce agency for your business, it helps to know exactly what you want and expect from them. Knowing what it is you need, understanding your goals, and managing your expectations before you set out the door can save a lot of time and get you where you are going with more efficiency.
There are lots of different styles of ecommerce agencies out there – from the boutique and innovative to the big brand concepts. Knowing what kind of experience you want will help you to narrow down your focus.
Don’t restrict your options
Once you’ve sketched out an idea of what you want from your ecommerce agency, you can start to research. In the 21st century, there’s no reason to hem yourself in and hire someone on your doorstep, so don’t feel bound by geography.
With today’s technology, there are plenty of resources, programs, and tools that allow you to work with your ecommerce marketing agency in a remote capacity. The aim is to find the right fit for your brand – regardless of locale.
Research with diligence
If you have a shortlist of ecommerce agencies you like, it’s time to step up the research. Take a close look at their credentials along with their website and social media pages. A good ecommerce agency may be responsible for quality content, a strong social media presence, and curating a consistent brand look across all platforms – among other things.
If their website is loaded with errors and broken links and their own social media pages are spotty at best, then it may be a sign that they don’t have the skillset you are seeking. You should also take time to verify any claims and check for info on previous customer experiences.
Ask questions
Good communication is critical when it comes to working with an ecommerce agency, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and measure the answers. The more information you have the better.
You should ask questions about the process, the tools, the team behind the company, how data is measured and tracked, timeframes, capacity, and experience. As you are having a back and forth dialogue with the ecommerce agency you should take note of any red flags that show up.
Know the red flags
Knowing what to watch for in the early stages of choosing an ecommerce agency can save you time and frustration later on in the process.
One of the first red flags to watch for is poor communication. You are looking for swift, diligent responses that actually answer the question poised without reverting into buzzwords and hyped up promises. You’re also looking for an agency to ask lots of questions back. A good agency will want to know as much about your brand as possible so they can offer tailored solutions that meet your needs.
You’re also looking for transparency – any vague replies to questions about costing, timeframes, tools, and experience should certainly be met with suspicion.
Meet the team
Chances are your first point of contact when connecting with the marketing agency won’t actually be the person who will work on the whole of your project. Very few agencies are a one man band.
Take the time to connect with the whole team so you can get to grips with the people who will be taking charge of your needs on a day-to-day basis. Also, ask about how communication, delegation, and meeting challenges is handled in-house. You want to feel confident that every member is on the same page.
Be open
There are three major points to consider when it comes to finding the right ecommerce agency that will help your business thrive – goals, budget, and timelines. These three points are where you need to have an open and honest conversation with the agency.
A good agency should be clear and upfront with you in terms of managing your expectations. They can let you know if your goals are unrealistic for the budget and timeframe you have in mind. While it can feel awkward to have this back and forth, don’t shy away from it.
A final thought
Working with a good ecommerce agency is a solid investment – as long as you find the right partnership to nurture.
While costing the process may be your first port of call, you will certainly benefit from taking your time and finding an agency that works for you and that you can connect with on a deeper level.
Gold standard communication, tried and tested visible results, satisfied former clients, and transparency – these are the traits you want to look for. Finding the right agency shouldn’t be a rushed process – take your time, do the research, know the red flags, and ask plenty of questions. All of this should help you find the perfect ecommerce agency to grow your business.
