Have you ever wondered what a digital marketing agency does?
Maybe you’ve been struggling to grow certain aspects of your digital marketing, and considered reaching out to an agency.
But, you’re not 100% sure what they do.
And, even if you did, which ones are reliable and a good fit for your large or small business?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re looking to enhance your online presence and boost the success of your digital marketing campaigns, this post is for you.
You’re going to learn everything you need to know about digital marketing agencies, how to choose the right one for your business, and the top 10 agencies leading the industry today.
Let’s dive in!
What is a Digital Marketing Agency?
A digital agency is a specialized company that partners with businesses to strategize, execute, and manage their online marketing efforts.
These agencies are equipped with teams of experts who excel in the various components of digital marketing, including:
- On-page SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and off-page SEO.
- Social media marketing
- Digital marketing strategy
- Copywriting
- Content marketing
And many more.
They leverage the power of digital platforms to boost brand awareness, generate leads, and drive conversions for their potential clients.
But, there are other reasons to hire a digital marketing agency…
Benefits of Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency
Partnering with a digital agency brings numerous advantages to your business.
For one, you’ll no longer be shooting in the dark and hoping that your marketing efforts will pay off.
So when you hand the reins over to a capable agency, you can rest assured they’re going to get the job done!
But more specifically, a digital marketing agency can help your business by:
- Increased ROI: With targeted strategies and data-driven campaigns, agencies maximize your return on investment, ensuring every marketing dollar is wisely spent.
- More traffic: Utilizing SEO and other tactics, agencies attract relevant traffic to your site. Which increases your online presence and visibility.
- Improved customer experience: Agencies focus on enhancing user experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.
- Increased leads and sales: By employing lead generation strategies and conversion optimization, agencies drive higher-quality leads and improved sales.
While the size and scope of agencies vary, their mission is essentially the same: to promote your products and digital marketing services to your target audience through all or some of the digital channels.
But, with so many services, how do you know which digital marketing agency is the right fit for you?
It’s a good question, and we’ve got you covered…
How to Choose the Best Digital Marketing Agency
Finding the ideal digital marketing agency for your business can be a tricky process.
With so many options out there, how can you separate the wheat from the chaff, and identify the right agency for your specific business?
Finding high-quality agencies that understand your needs comes down to three things:
- Start with your goals in mind.
- Research agencies you think can hit those goals for you.
- Consider your budget.
Sound overly simplistic?
Well, let’s break it down some more so you know EXACTLY how to choose the right agency!
Consider Your Goals
Before selecting any agency, you need to know precisely what you want to accomplish.
Telling an agency, even the best agency in the world, that you just want your digital marketing to be better, isn’t likely to get you what you want.
Instead, take a hard look at your digital marketing up until this point and be honest about where you need improvement.
Not getting found in the SERPs? Sounds like you need SEO services.
Traffic is going up but sales aren’t? It could mean you have to focus on CRO (conversion rate optimization).
Whatever the issue is, get clear about it and convey this to the digital marketing agency you choose.
What to Look For
Hiring a digital marketing agency is similar to hiring any other business or person.
Meaning, you wouldn’t hire a painter without first delving into their work experience, and learning specifically what services they provide, right?
The same principles apply here.
When evaluating potential agencies, take into account:
- The services they offer
- The number of years they’ve been in business
- Their portfolio of past campaigns
- The results they’ve achieved
Remember, not every agency performs the specific services that you might need.
Each agency has a different niche and focus. (More on that in a little bit).
And, not every agency has a long, storied, and pristine history of delivering high-quality results either.
But, their information is easily accessible through search engines, review sites, and their own site.
When you’ve identified those agencies that have proven themselves to be reliable and effective, it’s time to ensure you can afford their services.
Keep Your Mind on Your Money
An agency might be able to get the job done for you, but it will come at a price. And depending on the agency, that price could be steep.
So, be clear about what you’re willing to spend and stick to it.
Ensure the agency has a suitable package that meets your specific goals and budget constraints. Otherwise, you could be left with a hefty bill you didn’t see coming!
Types of Digital Marketing Agencies
Digital marketing is a broad industry, so there are agencies that handle all or some of the various components of digital marketing.
But, they also vary by:
- The number of departments
- The number of personnel
- The packages they offer
That means there’s a digital marketing agency out there for every type of business and marketing campaign.
Depending on your operation, you might need a humongous agency to put all of its force behind every aspect of your digital marketing.
Or, you might need a smaller specialized agency that can deftly manage one or two areas of your marketing.
So without further ado, here’s a breakdown of the various types of digital marketing agencies and what they do…
Full-Service Agencies
Full-service agencies are an excellent choice for businesses that require comprehensive assistance with all aspects of digital marketing.
As the name implies, they offer a complete suite of services, ranging from content creation to website design and social media management.
This is the broadest spectrum of service, and these agencies can help you with any and all aspects of digital marketing.
SEO Agencies
SEO agencies focus on improving your website’s search engine rankings, leading to increased visibility, organic traffic, and quality leads.
SEO is a long-term game that takes careful planning and investment over time.
A good agency will implement tactics and plans to improve your visibility and organic traffic over the long term.
PPC Agencies
PPC agencies specialize in pay-per-click digital advertising, crafting targeted campaigns that result in better audience engagement and increased leads.
These ads include the paid ones you see at the top of the Google SERPs.
This is the opposite of SEO, as these agencies specialize in paid media rather than organic traffic.
Social Media Marketing Agencies
Social media marketing agencies leverage a social media platform to increase brand visibility, engagement, and awareness, helping businesses connect with their target audience through social media.
Content Marketing Agencies
Content marketing agencies excel in creating and distributing valuable content that engages audiences, strengthens brand authority, and drives traffic to your website.
The content they produce includes blog posts, videos, infographics, and much more.
Email Marketing Agencies
Email marketing agencies focus on building successful email campaigns to engage customers, deliver promotional offers, and drive increased engagement.
Even in 2024, email is far from dead.
In fact, email generates $36 for every $1 spent on average. And a good email marketing agency can increase engagement with your target audience dramatically.
Web Design & Development Agencies
Web design and development agencies craft user-friendly and visually appealing websites that enhance the overall customer experience.
Most of these agencies will not provide the content that will go on the site, but they provide the backbone upon which you can post your content.
E-commerce Agencies
E-commerce agencies are B2B (business-to-business) agencies that specialize in driving traffic and optimizing online stores to boost conversions and sales.
Conversion Rate Optimization Agencies
Conversion rate optimization agencies analyze and optimize conversion funnels to improve sales and leads.
They specialize in improving the ratio between traffic and sales.
Meaning, if there’s a disconnect between how much traffic your sites are getting and how many sales you’re making, they’ll identify what it is and fix it.
Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies
Now that you’re familiar with what a digital marketing agency is and what they do, it’s time to learn which ones are the best!
These are the top 10 digital marketing agencies based on their years in business, notable campaigns, and the digital marketing services they offer.
Again, despite their impressive accomplishments and high acclaim, not every agency will be a good fit for you and your specific needs.
But, this list features the crème de la crème!
Let’s take a closer look…
1. SEO Discovery
- Years in Business: 16+
- Notable Campaigns: 14.9M impressions and 101K clicks for excellent publicity.com
- Services Offered: SEO, content marketing, PPC
2. WebFX
- Years in Business: 20+
- Notable Campaigns: Multi-million-dollar sales increase for All Pro Trailer Superstore
- Services Offered: SEO, content marketing, social media, email marketing
3. Ignite Visibility
- Years in Business: 15+
- Notable Campaigns: 300% increase in traffic for Fix Auto USA
- Services Offered: SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing
4. SmartSites
- Years in Business: 10+
- Notable Campaigns: Boosted organic and paid traffic for Mercedes Benz of Huntington
- Services Offered: SEO, website design, PPC
5. Thrive Internet Marketing
- Years in Business: 12+
- Notable Campaigns: 664% increase in organic traffic for the Farah Law Firm
- Services Offered: SEO, content marketing, PPC, social media
6. Piper Digital Marketing
- Years in Business: 8+
- Notable Campaigns: 46% increase in organic search clicks, and 41% increase in organic search impressions for CLIF Bar
- Services Offered: SEO, PPC, content marketing
7. Conklin Media
- Years in Business: 5+
- Notable Campaigns: Generated 700% increase in monthly sales for Eli Mason
- Services Offered: Social media, content marketing
8. Intero Digital
- Years in Business: 7+
- Notable Campaigns: 86.65% increase in organic revenue for Mizuno
- Services Offered: SEO, PPC, content marketing
9. Funnel Boost Media
- Years in Business: 6+
- Notable Campaigns: Drastically increased SERP ranking for WMD Works
- Services Offered: SEO, e-commerce, PPC
10. Coast Digital
- Years in Business: 3+
- Notable Campaigns: 405% increase in Facebook ROI within 12 months for Barstool Sports
- Services Offered: SEO, social media, content marketing
As you probably noticed, there isn’t a lot of uniformity on this list. The years in business and services offered vary greatly.
But what they all have in common is the proven ability to deliver HUGE results for their potential clients.
Which might be you one day.
Grow Your Business with a Digital Marketing Agency
With the right digital marketing agency by your side, the possibilities for business growth are nearly limitless.
From increasing ROI and generating more leads, to elevating brand awareness and improving customer experience, these agencies hold the key to your success in the digital arena.
Remember, choosing the perfect agency starts with understanding your goals, setting a budget, and finding one that understands your vision for your business.
And as you’ve seen, there’s no shortage of powerful agencies out there!
So, what are you waiting for?
Take the leap and watch your business soar with the help of a digital marketing agency!
