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The Top Factors to Consider When Selecting a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business

The Top Factors to Consider When Selecting a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business

Reading Time: 35 minutes

Are you looking to start marketing your product or service online?

Research reveals that 70 percent of companies outsource their sales and marketing to a digital marketing agency.

in-house-versus-outsourced-marketing 

(Source: Neil Patel)

digital marketing agency for manufacturers can help you, whether you need an entire strategic plan or just need some help with PPC campaigns, social media posts, or email newsletters.

But with so many platforms, options, and agencies out there promising the world, selecting the right experts in digital marketing can be tough, especially if you’re a manufacturer and are unfamiliar with what digital marketing has to offer in terms of reaching your audience digitally.

This article will take an introductory look at digital marketing as it pertains to manufacturers and how to select the right agency to meet your needs and goals. Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • The Basics: What is a Digital Marketing Agency?
  • Do Manufacturers Need the Services of a Digital Marketing Agency?
  • Which is Better for Your Manufacturing Business – a Digital Marketing Agency or an In-house Marketing Team?
  • 14 Reasons to Hire a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Company
  • 11 Things to Look For in a Digital Marketing Agency
  • Avoid These 7 Costly Mistakes When Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business
  • 9 Ways to Evaluate an Agency’s Capabilities
  • 15 Questions (and References) to Ask Potential Agencies
  • The Importance of Transparency and Communication in Working with an Agency
  • 14 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Digital Marketing Agency
  • How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business (10 Steps)

Let’s get started!

Content Overview

The Basics: What is a Digital Marketing Agency?

With the rise of social media, marketing online has become easier than ever before. But there’s more to online marketing than just posting your content to Facebook or Google. Having an online presence isn’t even enough anymore.

The best way to get the word out about your business, product, or service is through digital marketing agencies.

So, what is a digital marketing agency, and what services do digital marketing agencies offer?

A digital marketing agency is a company that provides online marketing services. These services include search engine optimization (SEO)pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, and more.

Digital-marketing-plan-and-strategy

(Source: Jacarlin)

Anything related to the internet falls under the category of digital marketing.

If you’re considering hiring experts in digital marketing to help grow your business, it’s important to do your research first. There are many benefits to hiring a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, but there are also a few downsides to going down this route.

What does a digital marketing agency do?

A big part of these experts in digital marketing is establishing which keywords should be used for SEO campaigns. They also study competitors to develop an effective strategy for any given business.

Many agencies offer other offline services as well, such as website design and branding efforts like logo design or photography work. If you’re not sure whether or not your company needs these types of services, it’s best to consult with experts in digital marketing before jumping into anything.

This article will answer all your questions about digital marketing agencies and show you how to choose a digital marketing agency that is perfect for your business.

Do Manufacturers Need the Services of a Digital Marketing Agency?

Your manufacturing company has a lot to offer, but are you reaching all of your target audiences? If not, it’s time to turn to an agency that specializes in manufacturing digital marketing services.

In the manufacturing industry, products are constantly changing and evolving to be more effective, affordable, and appealing to the consumer. To keep pace with these changes, you need experts in digital marketing that can provide quality content on an ongoing basis.

Digital-marketing-benefits

(Source: WebFX)

That’s where digital marketing agencies enter the picture.

What do digital marketing agencies do for manufacturers?

If you own or manage a manufacturing company, digital marketing agencies can be invaluable to your business strategy.

These experts in digital marketing will help you with everything from designing your company website to creating content to managing and monitoring your social media campaigns.

However, you can dramatically expand your brand awareness and increase your sales with the right experts in digital marketing. On the other hand, if you go with the wrong agency, you could easily waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars on misguided marketing efforts that don’t bring in any new customers at all.

Therefore, selecting the right digital marketing agency for manufacturers is vitally important.

Which is Better for Your Manufacturing Business – a Digital Marketing Agency or an In-house Marketing Team?

Whether you’re an online business or an offline manufacturing business, you may have considered hiring a digital marketing agency for manufacturers to help grow your business.

  • But what are the advantages of using a digital marketing agency versus in-house staff? 
  • What does a digital marketing agency do that an in-house staff can’t do? 
  • What services do digital marketing agencies offer that an in-house team doesn’t? 
  • Do you need both? 

Inhouse-outsource-pros-and-cons

(Source: Illumination Consulting)

It can be difficult to determine whether it’s better to use an in-house marketing team or hire a digital marketing agency for manufacturers to handle your online and social media marketing efforts.

Suppose you have an established manufacturing business and want to improve your digital marketing. In that case, the first step will be to evaluate which option makes more sense for your company: hiring an in-house marketing team or partnering with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers.

We’ll break down the benefits of each option and help you decide whether an in-house team or an agency will better help your business achieve its online goals.

The Benefits of Digital Marketing Agencies

What does a digital marketing agency do for manufacturers? Why hire a digital marketing agency?

Working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers can be a great option if you want to improve your online presence and reach a larger audience.

Hiring-a-digital-marketing-agency-vs.-in-house 

(Source: LSEO)

Here are some of the benefits of working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers:

  • As experts in digital marketing, they have the experience and expertise to help you reach your goals. 
  • They can provide an objective perspective on your marketing efforts. 
  • They can help you save time by taking care of the heavy lifting. 
  • They can help you save money by negotiating contracts and rates with vendors. 
  • These experts in digital marketing can help you track and measure results to see what’s working and what isn’t. 
  • Finally, they can provide support and guidance when things get tough.

The Benefits of In-house Marketing Teams

There are several benefits to having an in-house marketing team instead of working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers.

Top-reasons-for-moving-advertising-in-house 

(Source: Banner Flow)

  • First, you have more control over the work being done and can provide more input on what you want your marketing materials to look like. 
  • Second, if you hire digital marketing experts in-house, you can build closer relationships with your team members, which can lead to better communication and more cohesive work. 
  • Third, you have the opportunity to save money since you’re not paying for someone else’s time and overhead costs. 
  • Fourth, you can avoid the potential of miscommunication that can happen when working with outside agencies. 

Combining the Best Elements of Both Worlds

A digital marketing agency for manufacturers will have an up-to-date team of experts on the latest trends and strategies. These experts in digital marketing will also have more experience managing multiple projects and clients.

On the other hand, an in-house marketing team will be more familiar with your company’s culture and products. They will also be able to provide more personalized attention.

By combining the best elements of both worlds, you can create a well-rounded marketing strategy that meets the needs of your manufacturing business.

Common Myths About In-house Digital Marketing Teams

There are a few common myths about in-house digital marketing teams that businesses should be aware of before deciding to go down this route.

Marketing-partner-over-in-house

(Source: HGB)

The first myth is that an in-house team will be cheaper than working with an agency. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, as agencies have economies of scale that allow them to be more efficient and cost-effective.

The second myth is that an in-house team will be more flexible and responsive to your needs. But, again, this is not always the case, as agencies often have more resources and workforce to dedicate to your account.

The third myth is that an in-house team will have a better understanding of your business and your customers. While it may seem logical that an in-house team would know your product and services better than an agency, this is also not always the case.

Agencies often come from a diverse range of industries. As a result, they have strong knowledge about multiple sectors, which can be beneficial when trying to identify potential new clients and reaching out to prospective buyers.

Lastly, one major disadvantage of having an in-house marketing team is their lack of expertise outside your industry. With only one company’s products or services on their plate at any given time, they won’t benefit from all the experience they would get by handling accounts across different industries.

14 Reasons to Hire a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Company

What do digital marketing agencies do for manufacturing companies?

A quality digital marketing agency for manufacturers can help your company develop new strategies. Doing so will increase your revenue and profits and improve your brand awareness in the long run.

Benefits-of-hiring-a-digital-marketing-agency

(Source: Endpoint Digital)

But why hire a digital marketing agency?

Here are 14 reasons you should hire digital marketing experts for your manufacturing company today.

1) Paid Social Media Ads are Measurable

In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. A digital marketing agency for manufacturers can help you create and implement an effective online marketing strategy to stand out from the competition.

They’ll do this by analyzing your industry, target audience, business goals, and other key factors to determine which tactics will be most successful for your business.

For example, they may recommend SEO services like content writing or link building if your business focuses on local SEO; or Google Ads or Facebook Ads if you’re looking to increase sales and leads through advertising.

With their expertise in all things digital marketing, they’ll ensure that you get high-quality traffic that converts into sales, which is the goal of any campaign.

2) Build Trust with Online Advertising

For customers to purchase your product, they first need to trust your brand. And in today’s digital world, online advertising is one of the best ways to build trust.

By working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you can create targeted ad campaigns to reach your ideal customer and help build trust in your brand.

3) Reach a Targeted Audience

One of the major reasons you should hire a digital marketing agency is because they can help you reach a targeted audience.

Digital-Marketing-Strategy-key-factors

(Source: Similar Web)

With the help of an agency, you can create marketing campaigns that are specifically designed to reach your target market. This way, you can ensure that your marketing efforts are not wasted on people who are not interested in your products or services.

4) Drive Traffic to Your Website

One of the most important things a digital marketing agency can do for your manufacturing company is drive traffic to your website.

A good agency will use various methods, including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.

They will work with you to identify keywords that your target audience is searching for and then write compelling, on-topic articles that appear in relevant searches online. In addition, they may create targeted banner ads that appear on high-traffic websites across the web.

Once visitors arrive at your site, you must provide them with quality content about what you offer as well as valuable resources such as videos or eBooks related to your industry so they can learn more about what makes you different from other companies out there.

Key-website-design-elements

(Source: Velocity Consultancy)

You must also offer an effective call-to-action so that people know how to get in touch with you or sign up for one of your products or services if they want more information.

5) Utilize SEO and Social Media Optimization Techniques

You want your manufacturing company to be easily found online when potential customers search for your products or services. A digital marketing agency for manufacturers can help improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) so you rank higher in search results.

What-SEO-success-looks-like

Additionally, they can create and manage social media accounts for your business, engage in post content, and run social media ads. This way, you can reach more people and grow your customer base.

6) Deliver Results Quickly & Accurately

Understanding your products, services, and target markets are critical for any digital marketing agency. But it’s especially important for those in the manufacturing industry. Why?

Because the manufacturing process is complex and ever-changing, your marketing campaigns need to be agile and adaptable to stay ahead of the competition.

A good agency will have experts in digital marketing who can analyze your customers’ behavior patterns, so you’ll know what they’re looking for when they find you online.

They’ll also use an advanced analytics tool that gathers information about every customer visit on your website to identify what search terms are driving traffic to your site and what leads turn into sales.

Digital-marketing-analytic-process 

(Source: Consult Yasser)

7) Leverage Professional Experience

Digital marketing agencies have a lot of experience working with manufacturing companies. They know how to target the right audience and what type of content resonates with them.

Many digital marketing agencies will even include SEO services in their packages, which is vital for any company that wants to rank high on Google search results.

8) Increase Consumer Awareness

For your manufacturing company to succeed, you need to increase consumer awareness of your brand and what you have to offer.

A digital marketing agency can help you create and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes SEO, content marketing, social media, and more.

You’ll be able to increase the visibility of your business on search engines such as Google and Yahoo! as well as build an engaged audience on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.

9) Access the Right Tools at the Right Time

To stay ahead of the competition, your manufacturing company needs to have access to the latest and greatest tools. A digital marketing agency can provide you with that access. With the right tools, you can optimize your website, create engaging content, and track your results.

Essential-digital-marketing-tools

(Source: Smart Insights)

10) The Right Skillset for Your Team

A digital marketing agency for manufacturers will also bring the right skill set to your team. With a wealth of experience in the industry, they’ll be able to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. Plus, they’ll be able to provide valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not.

11) A Results-Driven Approach

You need an agency that’s focused on results. You need an agency that knows how to get high-quality leads from your website or blog.

You need an agency that understands what it takes to rank higher on Google so more people find you. And you need an agency with a proven history of increasing sales for other manufacturing companies like yours.

12) Budgeting is Easier Than Ever Before

When hiring a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you have more control over your budget. You can track your results and see where your money is going. This transparency allows you to make changes to your budget as needed.

13) You Can Set Realistic Expectations

A digital marketing agency for manufacturers will help you set realistic expectations for your marketing campaigns. They will also help you track your progress and adjust your goals.

14) You’ll Get an Outside Perspective

It can be difficult to see the forest for the trees when you’re too close to your business. A digital marketing agency for manufacturers will give you an outside perspective on what needs to change and how you should allocate your resources.

11 Things to Look For in a Digital Marketing Agency

Are you wondering how to choose a digital marketing agency to meet your needs?

As someone in the manufacturing industry, you need to make sure that you hire digital marketing experts with experience with companies similar to yours, especially if you don’t have much experience with digital marketing yourself.

Many companies offer their services in this area, so it’s vital to carefully choose when hiring someone to take care of your digital presence.

Here are 11 things manufacturing companies should look for when choosing a digital marketing agency for manufacturers.

1) Expertise in Their Field

You want to make sure that the agency you’re working with is well-versed and up-to-date on the latest trends in digital marketing. After all, this is their area of expertise.

In addition, as experts in digital marketing, they should be able to provide you with a detailed plan of how they will help you reach your goals.

Skills-to-become-a-Pro-Digital-marketer

(Source: Stellar Digital)

Whether it’s lead generation or increased sales, the company should have specific tactics for achieving these goals. They should also be able to answer any questions about SEO and online advertising, so you know what to expect from them.

2) Works with Small Businesses

You want a digital marketing agency for manufacturers that have experience working with small businesses, as they will be able to relate to your specific needs. They should also be able to provide you with tailored services and not just a one-size-fits-all approach. The more personalized the company is, the better.

They need to understand how much time you have available to dedicate to marketing efforts so they can suggest strategies accordingly.

And, of course, they need to know what marketing strategies work best for manufacturers; they are no use if they don’t know what their client base needs.

3) Flexible Payment Plans

The third thing you should consider when choosing a digital marketing agency for manufacturers is flexible payment plans. You don’t want to be locked into a long-term contract with an inflexible agency.

If the company doesn’t offer you the ability to pay month-to-month, move on and find one that does.

The more affordable the monthly fee, the better!

4) Appreciates New Clients

It’s not always easy to be the new kid on the block. You have to prove yourself all over again and build trust from scratch. That’s why choosing a digital marketing agency that appreciates new clients and is willing to go the extra mile to earn your business is important.

5) Good Communication Process

A good digital marketing agency for manufacturers will communicate clearly and concisely with its clients. This communication process should be tailored to the specific needs of the manufacturing company and should include regular updates and reports.

Importance-of-communication-skills 

(Source: Total Assignment Help)

6) An Understanding of the Manufacturing Industry

The digital marketing agency you choose should strongly understand the manufacturing industry. If your business is in this sector, they need to understand your business model and your customers. They should also understand how marketing channels work in this type of industry.

7) Fast Results

In today’s competitive landscape, you can’t afford to wait around for results. So you need an agency that will work quickly and efficiently to get the results you need to stay ahead of the competition.

A strong digital marketing campaign should be able to produce measurable changes in your KPIs within a month or two. So look for an agency with excellent industry knowledge and proven track records in producing short-term ROI from their campaigns.

Digital-advertising-campaign-measurement-KPIs 

(Source: Smarty Ads)

8) Reliable Technology & Infrastructure

A good digital marketing agency for manufacturers will have reliable technology and infrastructure in place to support its clients. It includes things like having a robust website, secure email and file sharing systems, and reliable customer support.

9) Detailed Analysis of Results

A detailed analysis of your marketing campaigns is essential to determine what is and isn’t working. Without this data, you’ll be flying blind and wasting money on strategies that aren’t effective.

Importance-of-Digital-Marketing-Analytics

(Source: Hevo Data)

Make sure the agency you’re considering can provide detailed reports of your campaigns’ progress and insights into how to improve them.

10) A Personal Relationship With the Team Behind the Agency

When you work with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you should have a personal relationship with the team behind the agency. This way, you can go to them with any problems or concerns you may have.

Additionally, they should be able to provide you with customized services that fit your company’s specific needs.

11) Value for Money

Is there value in what they offer, or will you pay too much?

Price also matters! You should never have to sacrifice quality for the price; however, it’s worth noting that quality agencies typically charge higher rates than their less experienced counterparts.

You want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to choosing a digital marketing agency. After all, marketing is an important part of any business, and manufacturing companies are no exception.

Avoid These 7 Costly Mistakes When Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business

Having seen how to choose a digital marketing agency in the previous section, read about the 7 mistakes you should avoid when choosing a digital marketing agency for your manufacturing company.

The-5-most-common-outsourcing-mistakes 

(Source: Freelancer Map)

1) Expecting Miracles from an Agency

You’ve finally done it. You’ve decided to take the plunge and hire a digital marketing agency to help you take your manufacturing business to the next level. But before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you should know.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is expecting miracles from your agency. Just because they’re professionals doesn’t mean they can work miracles. So be realistic in your expectations and give them time to produce results.

Ramping up a campaign or strategy to yield successful results takes time. So before you ask why your ads aren’t generating leads or traffic isn’t converting into sales, be patient and allow them some time to do their job.

Remember that agencies have many clients with whom they must contend for attention, so don’t expect instant gratification with all projects.

2) Not Hiring the Right Company in the First Place

The most common and costly mistake that manufacturing companies make when it comes to digital marketing is not hiring the right company in the first place.

It can lead to problems, from wasted money on ineffective campaigns to losing brand identity. So don’t let this happen to you.

3) Trying To do it all Yourself

Another mistake is thinking that you can or should do everything yourself. It simply isn’t true, and it will only lead to frustration on your part. The whole point of hiring an agency is to delegate some of the work so you can focus on other aspects of running your business.

4) Failure to Define Your Goals

Another common mistake companies make when hiring a digital marketing agency is failing to define their goals. What exactly do you want to achieve? Without a clear understanding of your goals, it will be difficult to measure success or ROI.

In addition, you might end up spending more money than necessary because there may not be enough focus on optimizing the online strategy to reach those goals.

5) Letting Personal Feelings Get in the Way

As a manufacturing business owner, you may feel like you need to take on all the marketing tasks yourself. Or, you may be gun-shy about trusting someone else with your company’s marketing efforts.

However, bringing in an outside agency can provide much-needed relief and allow you to focus on other aspects of running your business.  So let go of any preconceived notions and give it a try.

6) Compromising Quality because of Price

One of the most common mistakes companies make is hiring a digital marketing agency for manufacturers based solely on price. Unfortunately, in digital marketing, you get what you pay for.

If an agency is significantly cheaper than others, it’s likely because they’re cutting corners. Maybe they’re using low-quality software or outsourcing their work to countries with low labor costs. Either way, this will ultimately reflect in the quality of their work.

7) Neglecting Customer Service after Implementation

The implementation phase is not the end of your relationship with your digital marketing agency for manufacturers. It’s just the beginning.

Once your new website or app is live, you’ll need to continue working with your agency to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that customers are happy. Otherwise, you risk losing business and damaging your brand.

9 Ways to Evaluate an Agency’s Capabilities

As a manufacturer, you want to work with the best digital marketing agency you can find. But how do you evaluate an agency’s capabilities? How do you know if they’re the right fit?

If you don’t have a digital marketing plan in place, you might as well be asleep at the wheel while your competitors are on the road making connections and conversions.

Here are 9 ways to evaluate a digital marketing agency’s capabilities so you can make the best decision for your business.

1) Reach Out Directly

The best way to get a feel for an agency is to reach out and talk to them directly. See if they’re responsive and easy to communicate with. It will give you a good idea of what it would be like to work with them regularly.

Find out how much experience they have working with companies similar to yours and how big their team is.

2) Look at the Best Digital Marketing Agency Website

How does the best digital marketing agency website look? Is it dated or current? Does it have a clear call to action? Is the content relevant to what you’re looking for?

Checking out the best digital marketing agency websites is a great way to get a feel for their style and see if they’re a good fit for your needs. For example, if the website looks dated, has low-quality content, or feels cluttered, this may not be the right place for you.

Professional-website-tips

(Source: RedAlkemi)

If the best digital marketing agency websites look clean and professional with quality information directly related to your industry, they might be worth further exploration.

3) See What Campaigns They Have Run for Other Clients

The first way to evaluate a digital marketing agency for manufacturers is to see what campaigns they have run for other clients. It will give you an idea of the types of campaigns they can run and whether or not they have experience with manufacturing companies.

4) Ask About their Experience in Your Industry

When you’re looking for a digital marketing agency to help promote your manufacturing business, ask about their experience in your industry.

Finding an agency that understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with marketing a manufacturing business is important.

You can also ask about their expertise on subjects like search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), display advertising, email marketing, content creation & blogging, web design, mobile app development, or social media management.

5) Check Reviews from Other Clients

Checking reviews from other clients is a great way to get an idea of what it would be like to work with a particular agency. You can learn about the quality of their work, their customer service, and more.

Are-Online-Reviews-Important

(Source: Burgundy Group)

It’s important to find out how they dealt with difficult projects or unhappy customers so you know how you might expect them to handle any issues arising in your project.

A good digital marketing agency will have a long list of happy clients that they can put you in touch with. If they don’t, that’s a big red flag.

Satisfied customers are usually happy to provide feedback, so don’t shy away from asking them for references. This way, you can get a better idea of whether or not the agency is a good fit for you.

6) How Much do They Charge? What are the Payment Terms?

Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to ask about the agency’s charging structure. Are they hourly? By project? What are their payment terms?

It will help you understand what you’re getting into and avoid any surprises down the road.

7) What Kind of Communication Can You Expect from Them?

The first thing you should consider when evaluating a digital marketing agency for manufacturers is the level of communication you can expect from them. After all, you’ll be working with them closely to promote your business.

  • Do they seem easy to get in touch with and responsive to your questions? 
  • Are they patient in explaining things? 
  • Do they seem to grasp the industry well and your specific needs? 

If not, it may be best to keep looking.

8) Find Out What Analytics They Use to Measure Your Success?

Many digital marketing agencies will track and measure your website’s analytics to show you their success. However, it is important to ensure they use the same analytics you use. This way, you can be sure that their success is accurate.

How-to-measure-digital-marketing-success 

(Source: Quora)

Additionally, find out what other data they collect and how they use it to improve your campaigns.

9) What Processes Do They Have in Place?

Most digital marketing agencies will have some sort of process in place to manage your account. Find out what these processes are and how they will impact your campaigns.

Additionally, ask about their communication process and how often you can expect updates.

15 Questions (and References) to Ask Potential Agencies

Manufacturers know that digital marketing is important and are willing to invest in it; however, they’re often unsure when they should invest in digital marketing.

Fortunately, there are several key questions manufacturers can ask potential digital marketing agencies to help decide whether they want to work with them or not.

We’ve compiled a list of 15 questions you should ask any potential agency before moving forward. Check them out and see if they apply to your own company!

1) What will be your social presence?

To create and maintain a strong social presence, your digital marketing agency for manufacturers should plan what platforms it will use to engage with your target audience.

They should also have a strategy for how often they will post, what kind of content to share, and how they will measure the success of their social media campaigns.

Furthermore, it is important to ask about the team assigned to your account is important. Finally, ensure you feel comfortable with the agency’s ability to represent your brand online.

2) How will you handle SEO and content?

SEO and content go hand-in-hand. A good digital marketing agency will understand how the two work together to create a successful online marketing campaign.

Here are some questions you should ask about an agency’s SEO and content capabilities:

  • What experience do you have with SEO and content marketing for manufacturing companies? 
  • Do you have any case studies or examples of your work? 
  • How do you approach keyword research
  • What strategies do you use to generate traffic and leads from manufacturing companies? 
  • What kind of results have you seen in the past? 
  • Are you familiar with industrial/B2B terms and processes?

3) Do you have a customer support team?

Before you hire digital marketing experts, it’s important to ask questions about their customer support team.

  • Do they have a dedicated customer support team? 
  • What are their hours of operation? 
  • How do they handle customer complaints? 
  • Who is the point person for customer service? 

The answers to these questions can help ensure that you will take care of your customers in case of an issue with your product or services.

4) Do you have a post-launch strategy?

A post-launch strategy is key for any digital marketing agency for manufacturers worth its salt. It is the time when your manufacturer-client relationship should be evolving, not winding down. The best agencies will have a plan to ensure your success long after your website goes live.

Here are some questions to ask:

  • What kind of post-launch support do you offer? 
  • What’s included in your post-launch support? 
  • How do you measure success after launch? 
  • What’s your process for making changes post-launch? 
  • Who will be my point of contact post-launch? 
  • What kind of training do you offer post-launch?

5) How do you improve organic search rankings?

Many factors influence organic search rankings, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the changes. However, there are some things you can do to improve your ranking.

  • Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. 
  • Use relevant and keyword-rich titles and descriptions. 
  • Optimize your images and videos. 
  • Publish fresh content regularly. 
  • Promote your content through social media and other channels. 
  • Build high-quality backlinks. 
  • Monitor your progress and adjust your strategy as needed

6) How do you improve conversion rates?

There are several ways to improve conversion rates, and the right digital marketing agency for manufacturers can help you customize a plan that fits your business.

Conversion-Funnel-Stages

(Source: First Page Sage)

Here are five questions you should ask these experts in digital marketing:

  • What strategies do you use to increase conversion rates? 
  • What tactics have you used in the past that have been successful? 
  • How do you measure success? 
  • What is your experience with A/B testing?
  • Will I access the analytics data for my account(s)? 

7) Do you offer ongoing maintenance services/training?

The digital marketing landscape is constantly changing; what worked last year might not work this year. That’s why it’s important to find a digital marketing agency for manufacturers that offers ongoing maintenance and training services.

This way, you can be sure that your campaigns are always up-to-date and effective.

8) What is the scope of work?

An effective digital marketing agency for manufacturers will know what it can do for you and also be honest about its limitations.

When it comes to defining what needs to be done for success in a particular area (e.g., search engine optimization), let them tell you if their expertise is in other areas that may complement what’s needed in that area (e.g., web design).

For example, a company specializing in email campaigns might not be great at developing landing pages but may be excellent at executing social media strategy and execution. So this would likely make sense as an additional service from this partner.

9) How long should we expect results to take?

Creating and launching a marketing campaign takes time, but you should start seeing results within the first few months. However, it’s important to note that results vary depending on the agency you’re working with, the size of your company, and your goals.

10) What are some of your success stories?

Before you hire digital marketing experts, make sure to ask for references and case studies. It will help you get an idea of their previous work and whether or not they’re a good fit for your company.

A great digital marketing agency for manufacturers will have no problem sharing its successes with you.

11) What is your digital marketing strategy plan?

A good digital marketing agency for manufacturers will have a detailed plan for how it will help you reach your goals. This plan should include an analysis of your current situation, your goals, and the strategies and tactics the agency will use to help you achieve success.

Digital-Marketing-Strategy-key-components 

(Source: Bold x Collective)

12) What are your pricing models?

The pricing model will depend on whether you’re looking for a full-service package or need help with one particular aspect of digital marketing.

Full-service packages can range anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000 per month, depending on the level of service provided.

13) What is their approach to digital marketing?

A digital marketing agency for manufacturers should have a holistic and integrated approach to digital marketing. It means that they should be able to provide a comprehensive suite of services that covers all aspects of digital marketing, from SEO and content marketing to social media and PPC.

Furthermore, they should be able to tailor their approach to the specific needs of your business.

14) What is your experience in manufacturing?

It’s not enough for them to be experts in digital marketing; they need a good understanding of your industry as well. It’s important to partner with an agency with experience working with manufacturers.

These agencies understand the challenges you face in this industry and how to take advantage of opportunities like YouTube for industrial videos or optimize your website for conversions.

Here are a few questions you can ask:

  • What types of clients have you worked with before? 
  • How long have you been in business?
  • What’s your strategy for our industry?

15) What type of project management do you offer?

Instead of asking, “what services do digital marketing agencies offer,” you should also find out the type of project management you will get from them.

There are many different ways for agencies to manage projects. Ensure that the digital marketing agency for manufacturers has the type of project management system that works best for your company.

The Importance of Transparency and Communication in Working with an Agency

Many businesses believe they must choose between an in-house marketing team and an agency. In reality, the two are not mutually exclusive, and both have their advantages.

If you want to work with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, your goals and ideas must align with their process and reputation. In addition, you should always be able to rely on transparency and communication when working with an agency to ensure that you get the best product possible.

Benefits-of-agency-client-partnerships 

(Source: Strategy Driven Marketing)

Here are the 17 top benefits of transparency and communication between you and your agency.

1) You Get What You Pay For

When working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you get what you pay for. A good agency will be transparent with its pricing, which means no hidden fees or unexpected costs.

They will also be communicative, keeping you updated on the progress of your campaigns and providing regular reports.

2) You Get Professional Advice from Experts in the Field

A digital marketing agency for manufacturers will have an up-to-date team of experts on the latest trends and changes happening in the digital world. They can help you create a plan that considers your budget, goals, and target audience.

Plus, these experts in digital marketing can guide what platforms and strategies will work best for your business.

3) You Have One Point of Contact for All Things Related to Your Campaign

When you are working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you have one point of contact for all things related to your campaign. It can save you a lot of time and energy, as you don’t have to communicate with multiple people.

You will know who to ask about what information or when an update is needed. You also won’t need to worry about who is in charge of what aspect of the project because it will be clear who does what based on their role within the company.

4) You Have Access to People Who Can Help You Meet Goals

With a good digital marketing agency, you have access to experts in digital marketing who can help you meet your goals. And the best part is that it doesn’t matter what your needs are because the agency will be able to provide them.

An agency needs to take the time to understand its client’s business objectives and provide a customized strategy that aligns with those goals.

A lack of transparency or communication can result in clients feeling like they’re not being heard or understood, which can lead to mistrust, disengagement, and even dissatisfaction.

5) You Have an Expert Team Backing Up Your Project 24/7

An ideal digital marketing agency for manufacturers will take the time to create an understanding with you about your business, what your goals are, and how they can best help you reach them.

Their team of experts in digital marketing should be able to answer any questions, give you examples of past projects, show off their skills by providing case studies or examples from previous clients, and communicate at all times.

Whether via email, phone call, or face-to-face meeting, this is an important aspect of working with a professional agency.

6) The Agency Will Make Sure that Nothing Happens Without Your Approval

You’re the boss. The agency should never make a move without your approval, whether it’s something as small as changing the color of a button on your website or as large as starting a new ad campaign.

This way, you can be sure that you’re always happy with what’s happening and that your money is well spent.

7) You Won’t Waste Time Dealing with Internal Conflicts

One of the main benefits of transparency and communication is that it can help prevent or resolve internal conflicts. When everyone is on the same page, it’s easier to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications.

8) You’ll Know What You’re Getting With Your Contract

Contracts are difficult to navigate and take some time to understand. If you want complete transparency with your digital marketing agency for manufacturers, ensure you get everything in writing.

10) You’ll Always Know Where You Stand When it Comes to Spending

One of the most important benefits of working with a transparent and communicative digital marketing agency for manufacturers is that you’ll always know where you stand financially.

You’ll clearly understand what your money is being spent on, and you won’t have to worry about any hidden fees or unexpected costs. This level of transparency will also help build trust between you and the agency, which is essential for a successful partnership.

11) You’ll Build Trust With the Agency, Which is Essential for a Successful Long-term Relationship

You’re building trust when you’re transparent with your digital marketing agency. And that’s essential for a successful long-term relationship. In other words,  the more information you share with the team, the more likely they are to be invested in the success of your business.

Your agency should know everything from what to include on a social media post to how much money is coming into the company to which pages are performing well on your website.

12) You’ll Get a Better Result

When you’re honest with your agency about your goals, they can create a plan that’s more likely to succeed. In addition, by clearly communicating your marketing needs, you ensure that the team has the information to produce effective results.

It will make it easier for the agency to execute its tasks and help you understand what was done and why.

13) The Agency Will Be More Responsive to Your Needs

When you have an open line of communication with your agency, they will be more responsive to your needs. You won’t have to wait for them to get back to you with information or updates; they will proactively keep you in the loop.

This way, you can feel confident that your agency is working hard on your behalf.

14) You’ll Always Know What’s Going on with Your Account and ampaigns

When you work with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, it’s important to have transparency and communication always to know what’s going on with your account. This way, you can be sure that the agency is working on your behalf and not just trying to sell you services.

If something isn’t happening as quickly as you’d like, you’ll know exactly why. The agency should also provide regular updates to keep you up-to-date with everything they’re doing for your business.

15) Your Data is Secure Because They Encrypt Everything They Work on Using SSL Protocols

You can be confident that your data is secure when you work with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers that uses SSL protocols to encrypt their work. This type of encryption is important because it protects your information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

By working with a digital marketing agency that uses SSL encryption, you can be sure that your data will be safe from cybercriminals. In addition to protecting your data, SSL encryption helps prevent fraud and identity theft.

16) The Agency Will Be More Likely to Take Your Input and Feedback Into Account When Making Decisions About Your Campaigns

Feedback is one of the most important benefits of open communication.  The more input you give, the better your campaigns will be.

And while you may not want to speak with your agency daily, it is important that you feel comfortable contacting them whenever you have a question or concern.

17) You’ll Have a Better Experience Working with a Transparent and Communicative Digital Marketing agency.

Everyone likes to have a good experience. One way you can do this is by working with an agency that has transparency and communicates effectively.

An ideal digital marketing agency for manufacturers will ensure the best customer service while maintaining trust through complete openness.

Transparency between agencies and clients ensures everyone knows what they’re doing and why.

14 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Digital Marketing Agency

Having understood how to choose a digital marketing agency, let’s consider another question:

Why choose a digital marketing agency for manufacturers to promote your business online?

Because they know what they’re doing, and they do it well. And when you have an agency helping you, there are so many more benefits than just their expertise in the industry; there are plenty of ways that working with an agency can help you grow your business.

Digital marketing agency relationships are like any other relationship; to get the most out of it, you have to work together as effectively as possible, so both sides get what they need out of the relationship.

If you’re working with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you’re probably already getting positive results from your work together. But you may not be taking full advantage of the services that the agency has to offer.

Here are 14 ways you can get the most out of your digital marketing agency relationship and ensure that your campaign works as effectively as possible.

1) Get to Know Them

A good digital marketing agency for manufacturers will want to get to know your business inside and out. They’ll want to understand your goals, target market, and unique selling points that set you apart from the competition.

The better they understand your business, the better they’ll be able to create a custom marketing strategy that meets your needs.

2) Have an Emergency Plan

It’s always a good idea to have an emergency plan in case something unexpected happens. That way, you’ll be prepared and can focus on getting your business back up and running as quickly as possible.

Also,  it’s important to know how the agency will handle any outage of their service or equipment. If they don’t offer 24/7 support, it might be worth looking for another company that does.

One last thing: keep all your contact information (email address, phone number) handy so that the digital marketing agency for manufacturers will know who they need to call if there is an issue with their service or equipment.

3) Give Them Goals

You need to be clear about what you want to achieve with your digital marketing campaign. Vague goals like increasing brand awareness are not going to cut it.

Be specific, and give your digital marketing agency for manufacturers measurable goals. Doing this will help you get the most out of your relationship with them. They may choose to go elsewhere if they feel they’re not being used effectively.

4) Challenge conventions

There are a lot of digital marketing agencies out there that claim to know the secret to success. But the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one business might not work for another.

So it’s important to challenge conventions and think outside the box regarding your digital marketing strategy.

Digital-Strategy

(Source: 4 SEO Help)

If you want more control over how your ads look, advertising on Google for financial advisors gives flexibility in designing creative content for your campaigns.

Financial advisors can choose from multiple formats, including text only, image only, text + image, and even video options, to cater to each campaign specifically toward their target audience.

5) Don’t Micro-Manage

Sure, you hired them because they were experts in their field. But that doesn’t mean you need to oversee every single detail of the project yourself. Instead, trust your instincts and allow them to do their job without interference.

Even though you are paying them for their expertise, don’t forget that they are working for you and ultimately want to ensure that you’re happy with the results.

6) Ask Questions

Before signing on with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, be sure to ask them plenty of questions.

  • How will they measure success? 
  • What kind of reporting will they provide? 
  • What is their experience in your industry? 
  • Asking questions upfront will help you avoid any surprises down the road.

7) Be pen to change

One of the most important things to remember when working with a digital marketing agency is that change is inevitable. The landscape of the internet is constantly shifting, and what worked yesterday might not work today.

It’s important to be open to new ideas and willing to change your approach as needed.

8) Hire Together, Fail together

You and your digital marketing agency for manufacturers are a team. If you’re not working together, you will not get the results you want.

Ensure you’re on the same page by setting clear expectations and agreeing on deliverables. And if things do go wrong, don’t be afraid to hold your agency accountable. After all, they’re supposed to be experts in this field.

9) Work with Their Best People

The people who work at your agency are passionate about what they do. So when working with them, ensure you’re getting the best of the best. Ask introductions to the people working on your account, and get to know them.

10) Keep Them Informed

You need to keep your team in the loop at all times. They should know who you’re meeting with and when deadlines are approaching. It’s also a good idea to let them know if there have been any changes in your strategy or direction so that they can adjust accordingly.

11) Embrace Technology

To get the most out of your digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you need to be willing to embrace technology. It means being open to new ideas and using the latest tools available. It also means being willing to change how you do things to get better results.

If something isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to speak up about it. One of the best ways for a business owner to see what is going on with their business is by looking at the data their marketing team has gathered.

12) Admit Mistakes and Move on

No one is perfect, and that includes digital marketing agencies. If your agency makes a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on. Covering up a mistake will only make things worse in the long run.

Hiring an agency means you are looking for expertise and knowledge. You would never want to hide something from your doctor if you were sick; you should treat your digital marketing company the same way.

13) Communication is Key

Remember, these people are working for you. So talk with them about what they can do better, what they’re doing well, and even how they might be over-performing so they can get recognition too.

Get together with them to discuss timelines and expectations. Be clear about any goals or deadlines, so there’s no confusion when everything is going wrong.

A successful relationship with a digital marketing agency for manufacturers requires both parties to communicate openly and often. If you feel like there’s an issue, talk about it and try not to hold back on expressing your thoughts or concerns.

14) Keep it Personal (and Professional!)

It’s important to remember that when you’re working with a digital marketing agency, you are building a relationship. It is a two-way street, just like any other professional relationship. So be respectful, communicative, and honest.

You want your digital marketing agency for manufacturers to feel confident in the work they do for you, so if there are problems, let them know. They’ll be more than happy to help address your concerns.

How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency for Your Manufacturing Business (10 Steps)

Chances are, if you’re in manufacturing, you’ve heard about digital marketing, even if you don’t know what it means or how it can help your business.

Digital marketing includes paid ads on Google and Facebook, SEO, blogging, social media management, etc.

By hiring a digital marketing agency, you can make the most of every dollar you spend on ads by hiring experts who will understand how to reach your target audience best.

How-to Find-the-Right-Marketing-Agency 

(Source: Semrush)

Choosing the right digital marketing agency for manufacturers to handle your company’s digital marketing needs can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the industry.

With so many agencies to choose from, you may not even know where to start your search. To make the right choice, you need to evaluate different agencies based on the value they offer, their success rates, and their track record with customers with similar needs.

These 10 steps can help guide you as you search for the right digital marketing agency for your manufacturing business.

Step 1: Get the Facts

Before deciding which digital marketing agency for manufacturers is right for your manufacturing business, you must do your homework and get the facts. Here are seven key questions to ask:

  • What are your core services?
  • What is your experience in my industry?
  • Who are some of your current or past clients?
  • How do you measure success?
  • What is your approach to digital marketing?
  • What are your fees?
  • What are the terms of your contract?

Step 2: Determine a Budget

Now that you know your objectives, you can start thinking about how much money you’re willing to spend on achieving them. But before you do, remember that digital marketing agencies typically charge either by the hour or by the project.

Project fees can vary widely, depending on the scope of work.

  • What is your budget? 
  • How many hours per week will a team member dedicate to the project? 
  • What type of services will you need? 

These are all factors that play into the cost-effectiveness and potential ROI of a digital marketing agency for manufacturers.

Step 3: Set Goals and Target Audience

Before you start looking for a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, you need to have a clear idea of what your goals are and who your target audience is. It will help you narrow down your options and find an agency that is a good fit for your business.

Some goals you may want to set for your manufacturing business include:

  • Increasing brand awareness 
  • Generating leads 
  • Boosting online sales 
  • Improving customer satisfaction 
  • Increasing web traffic from specific demographics or locations 

Digital-Marketing-Goals

(Source: WebChanakya)

Your target audience will also play a role in choosing the right digital marketing agency. For example, if you target small businesses in a specific region, you will want to find an agency with experience reaching that audience.

If you’re looking for more social media followers, ensure the digital marketing agency for manufacturers has experience building followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you’re interested in content creation (like blog posts), ensure they can write compelling copy that resonates with your target audience.

Step 4: Research Different Agencies

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to start looking for agencies that can provide it. The best way to find a good agency is to ask for recommendations.

Talk to other businesses in your industry and see who they use. Once you have a few names, do some research on each one. Then, look at the best digital marketing agency websites and see if their values align with yours.

Read online reviews and see what other people have to say about their experience with the agency. It will help you narrow your choices to find the perfect fit for your business.

Step 5: Check Digital Marketing Agency Reviews

When narrowing down your choices for a digital marketing agency for manufacturers, it’s important to do your research and read reviews. It will help you understand each agency’s strengths and weaknesses and what past clients have thought of their services.

value-of-online-reviews

(Source: Clutch)

Checking reviews should be part of your due diligence in choosing the right digital marketing agency for your manufacturing business.

Step 6: Test Out Different Agencies by Requesting Sample Projects

Now that you have a list of potential agencies, it’s time to start testing them out. The best way to do this is by requesting sample projects. It will give you a good idea of what it’s like to work with the agency and if they’re a good fit for your business.

Make sure to request a variety of different types of projects so you can get a well-rounded idea of their skills.

Step 7: Use Your Gut Instinct

You’ve done your research, read the reviews, and narrowed it down to a few agencies that you think could be a good fit for your manufacturing business. So how do you choose which one is right for you?

If you’re like most people, choosing between two or three options is difficult enough, but what if there are ten of them on your list? It might seem counterintuitive, but the best way to make this decision can be by relying on your gut instinct.

Step 8: Narrow Down Your Choices to a Few Finalists

Once you have a list of potential agencies, it’s time to start narrowing them down. The first step is to eliminate any agency that doesn’t have experience working with manufacturing companies.

Then, look at each digital marketing agency for manufacturers’ websites and see how well they’ve positioned themselves as experts in the industry. They’re probably not the right fit if they don’t have a strong online presence.

Finally, read through each agency’s case studies and see if they have any experience with businesses in your industry. If they do, that’s a good sign that they understand your specific needs.

Step 9: Meet With the Finalists in Person or Via Video Conference

Meet with the finalists in person or via video conference, as this will give you a chance to get to know them better and see if they’re a good fit for your company.

You should also ask them about their experience working with manufacturing companies and what kinds of results they’ve achieved.

Step 10: Make a Decision and Sign a Contract

The decision-making process is never easy, but it’s important to take your time and choose the right digital marketing agency for your manufacturing business. Then, after doing your research and a few consultations, it’s time to decide and sign a contract.

What’s the Next Step?

Have you decided to try digital marketing to grow your business and boost sales?

Digital marketing agencies can help manufacturers with branding, social media, SEO, SEM, etc., since these companies have specific needs and requirements that traditional marketing agencies do not always meet.

However, the digital marketing agency for manufacturers’ selection process may seem daunting if you don’t know where to start.

At Flying V Group, we are digital marketing experts with lots of experience working with companies like yours. Contact us today!

Flying V Group Digital Marketing Agency Logo

Written by Robb Fahrion

Robb Fahrion is a Co-Founder and Partner of Flying V Group. Robb has helped over 350+ companies build their businesses online and is responsible for building Flying V Group into one of the premier marketing agencies in the United States. Robb and his team have managed over $10M in marketing budget and continue to accelerate the growth of clients' businesses. A love for business and competition is what fuels Robb to create dynamic marketing plans to help his clients grow exponentially.

August 30, 2022

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