The decision to outsource your digital advertising is not one that can be taken lightly. And with so many different digital advertising vendors, it can be difficult to know which is the best partner for your organization’s needs, budget, and goals.
Taking the time to thoroughly interview digital advertising vendors before reaching a decision can give you more confidence and peace of mind in your final choice. Not sure where to begin when it comes to interviewing prospective digital advertising vendors? We’ve compiled a list of thoughtful questions that can provide you with the insight you need moving forward.
1. Have You Worked in My Industry Before?
No matter what industry you may find yourself in, it likely has its own unique quirks and challenges. Working with a digital advertising vendor that has specific experience in your industry can provide you with a serious advantage over the competition.
This isn’t to say that you should automatically write off an advertising vendor who hasn’t worked directly within your industry, but it does mean that you should take a harder look at how (and if) the vendor’s strategies and experience will align with your goals.
On the other hand, if the advertising vendor you’re speaking with has worked with other companies in your industry, don’t hesitate to ask them for case studies or specific examples of their work. You may also want to inquire about industry-specific programs or tools they may use in their campaigns. This can help you get a better feel for what to expect if you decide to work with them.
2. What Kind of Data and Analytics Do You Provide?
Of course you want to stay in-the-know when it comes to how your organization’s advertising dollars are being spent and what kinds of returns you’re seeing. However, digital advertising vendors can vary greatly in their level of transparency and reporting.
This is why it’s so important to ask about this up-front. Specifically, you’ll want to find out what kinds of data and analytics will be provided for you—as well as how often you should expect this kind of reporting. Staying on top of these metrics will help you get a better idea of how your advertising agency is putting your money to use and what kind of return on investment (ROI) you’re seeing on different campaigns.
3. How Much Can I Stay Involved?
All business owners have different preferences when it comes to how involved (or hands-off) they want to be with their digital advertising strategies. With this in mind, it’s important to find a digital advertising vendor that will allow you to maintain the level of involvement with the process that you prefer.
For example, if you like to maintain a bit more control over your advertising campaigns and how the money is being spent, you’ll want to work with a vendor that will run ideas and campaigns past you for approval or feedback before anything is implemented.
Likewise, if you don’t want to be faced with these kinds of decisions, then you’ll want to work with a vendor that will allow you to take more of a hands-off approach and make more decisions on your behalf.
4. What Kind of Communication Can I Expect?
Communication is arguably the most important consideration when interviewing digital advertising vendors. If you have a question or concern about your digital advertising strategy, you should be able to get in touch with somebody who can help you as promptly as possible. Of course, not all vendors are created equal when it comes to their communication styles.
Before you interview any digital advertising vendors, take some time to consider what kind of communication is most important to you. Do you prefer to be updated on the status of your campaigns weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly? You’ll also want to think about how you wish to be contacted; is an in-depth phone call preferred, or are texts and emails more convenient?
You can usually tell a lot about a digital advertising vendor’s communication style in how they handle setting up your initial interview/consultation. Still, it’s important to get communication commitments in writing before you sign a contract. You’ll also want to make sure you have at least one dedicated point-of-contact that you know by name and can reach out to with questions/concerns at any time.
5. What Exact Services Do You Offer?
While many digital advertising vendors more-or-less offer similar services, it’s never a bad idea to ask for a detailed breakdown of these offerings so you know exactly what’s available to you. This is especially important if you need help with a specific type of advertising. Some advertising vendors may have a very narrow range of specialties, whereas others may offer more “one-size-fits-all” generic solutions.
6. What Are Your Specific Credentials?
These days, many digital advertising professionals are self-taught. However, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have some concrete credentials to speak of. If you’re looking for an advertising vendor to help with your paid search advertising, for example, you may want to look for a professional (or team of professionals) with Google Ads credentials such as being part of the Premier Google Partner Program. Likewise, finding a vendor who is certified in Facebook Blueprint may be ideal if you’re looking to expand your paid social media advertising scope.
Advertising vendors who are certified in specific advertising strategies or platforms have likely had to undergo specialized training and may have even had to pay to take (and pass) an examination. This can give you some added peace of mind as you make your decision.
7. What if I’m Not Happy?
Last but not least, be sure to inquire about what steps will be taken if you’re unhappy with your digital advertising services at any given time. A reputable vendor should stand behind their work and take measures to correct problems as they arise. Make sure that any kind of “money-back guarantee” or other satisfaction guarantee is included in your written contract, too.
Digilant is Different from other Digital Advertising Vendors
Choosing the right digital advertising vendor for your growing business can be difficult, but your efforts will pay off. And when you choose digital advertising services through our experienced team at Digilant, you can rest assured that we have the tools, resources, and know-how to make your campaigns a success.
We know that the one-size-fits-all model usually doesn’t fit all which is why we utilize extensive research and analysis paid with marketing intelligence technology to enhance the strategy, creativity, and human element behind our work. We understand the trust our clients place within our team which is why winning client service has and always will be one of our four key principles that define how we approach our work. Whether you are just starting your digital advertising journey or you are looking for a change in digital advertising vendors, we are eager to talk with you about how our team of digital advertising experts can accelerate your digital advertising goals.