Are you aiming to expand your brand and attract more customers? An experienced marketing consultant could be what you need. A skilled digital marketing expert can offer crucial insights on reaching target audiences and boosting profits. However, marketing consultants are common; a quick search will show thousands of offers flooding the results page.
For this reason, choosing the perfect consultant won’t be easy. But don’t worry. This article will cover eight easy steps to help small businesses partner with the perfect marketing consultant for their needs.
Table of Contents
Who is a digital marketing consultant?
How to find the best digital marketing consultant (8 easy steps)
2 tips to help businesses choose the right marketing consultant
In conclusion
Who is a digital marketing consultant?
Sometimes, businesses want to make better plans and improve their online marketing strategy. That’s where marketing consultants come in. They are experts at increasing a business’s leads and conversions, helping drive growth and boost revenue. Here are other things brands can benefit from hiring a digital marketing consultant:
- A marketing consultant can review their client’s online presence, including their website and social media.
- They can create digital marketing campaigns tailored to their clients’ goals.
- A skilled marketing consultant can also conduct A/B testing to improve designs and content.
- They will also track and analyze campaign performance using tools like Google Analytics.
Note: Some consultants focus on specific areas (like SEO) to help businesses succeed in the most important areas.
How to find the best digital marketing consultant (8 easy steps)
1. First, know the services required
Never look for marketing consultants without first doing some homework. Businesses must know what services they need, such as content marketing, PPC management, or SEO. This way, they’ll know what to expect from a consultant regarding results.
2. Check if prospective consultants have those services
After small businesses understand what they want and have prepared their team, they should create a list of digital marketing consultants. The ones they will add to that list will depend on the services they need.
For instance, freelancers often focus on a few areas and juggle many clients, leading to average results. That’s why many businesses (large and small) prefer full-service digital marketing firms. They offer a wider range of services, including PPC, email, SEO, and social media marketing.
These firms will also give businesses a dedicated account manager. After building this list, companies can compare their pricing to ensure they get the best offers.
3. Compare prices to find the best offer
Pricing is another crucial factor when searching for a marketing consultant. While sticking to a budget is essential, cheap services often don’t provide good returns. The challenge is that many consultants don’t list their prices online, making it harder to compare options.
Instead, businesses must fill out contact forms and wait for responses, which can take days or require scheduling calls. However, consultants who publish their prices upfront show confidence in their rates and services. It also saves a lot of time, allowing businesses to quickly see if the rates fit the budget and understand what’s included in the consultant’s services.
4. Do some research on their tech
One thing many businesses overlook when choosing a marketing consultant is the technology they use. While most consultants rely on Google Analytics, some use advanced tools to give their clients’ marketing strategies an edge.
For instance, WebFX developed MarketingCloudFX, which offers profound insights into leads and customer interactions. It also predicts SEO keywords and includes automation tools for email marketing, helping boost results.
A consultant who develops their in-house tech demonstrates their expertise and dedication to delivering better outcomes. This kind of innovation can give any marketing strategy a huge advantage.
5. Go through their portfolios
When searching for marketing consultants, businesses must check their prospects’ portfolios. Many consultants showcase case studies on their websites, allowing brands to see their work in action. However, companies must consider two things when checking portfolios:
- Specialty: Do they focus on the business’s industry or service? For example, a consultant specializing in SEO for industrial companies might not offer any positives for a retail business.
- Results: Look for measurable success, such as leads or sales. Consultants who prioritize these metrics show they understand what drives growth.
Additionally, businesses should check if the consultants list their clients’ names. This will help them cross-reference previous clients’ feedback in testimonials. Remember, a solid portfolio is an excellent indicator of a consultant’s ability to deliver results. So, if businesses find it resonates with their needs, they can add the consultants to their shortlist.
6. Check the reviews and client testimonials
After checking portfolios, businesses should check the marketing consultant’s reviews and testimonials, especially those from third-party websites. These offer a quick glimpse into the consultant’s pros and cons, letting businesses see how well their portfolios hold up.
Reading reviews can provide valuable insights on factors such as:
- Customer service
- Service quality
- Pricing
- Turnaround times
These insights can help businesses simplify their decisions. For instance, if small brands need consultants who consistently meet tight deadlines, they can quickly rule out those with reviews mentioning missed deadlines. Additionally, reviews will help businesses find the right fit based on what matters most.
7. See if they have any credentials
Portfolios and reviews or testimonials are significant, but they won’t mean much if the consultant doesn’t have the proper credentials. Here’s what businesses should check before working with a consultant:
- Years of experience
- Awards
- Certifications
These credentials can show the consultant’s expertise and the quality of their work. In some cases, specific certifications are a must-have. For example, if businesses want to run ads on Google, you’ll want to work with a Google Ads Certified consultant.
This certification proves they know how to use the platform and create ads that get results. Awards and certifications indicate a consultant’s skills and commitment to delivering high-quality services.
8. Talk to them
After reviewing the list of potential consultants, it’s time to reach out to the most promising ones. Don’t skip this step; it’ll help businesses understand if everything they have seen so far is accurate. Here are some essential questions to ask:
- What’s your experience in my industry?
- What strategies would work well for my business?
- How will you make my business stand out?
- How much experience do you have as a consultant?
- How would you fix a poor-performing campaign?
- Do you involve your clients in the process?
2 tips to help businesses choose the right marketing consultant
1. Consider if they have practical experience
What’s a marketing consultant without real experience? Anyone can use buzzwords to look like an expert, but do they know how to put in the work? That’s why businesses must check if they have practical experience, ensuring their consultant understands their needs and delivers results where it matters (profits).
2. Don’t ignore their website copy
Copy and content are the heart of any website. No design trick can replace a well-written sales copy that turns visitors into customers. That’s why the preferred consultant must be skilled at creating persuasive sales pages. Businesses should review their target consultant’s website to see if their copy speaks to their needs, highlights benefits, and makes them want to take action.
In conclusion
Hiring a marketing consultant can be an excellent move for any business. However, finding the right fit takes work. Companies will have to research different consultants and consider their budgets. Additionally, they must ask about their experience and communication style to ensure they are making an informed choice.
Remember to closely monitor progress and regularly crosscheck results to ensure that the consultant generates the best results. With these steps and tips, businesses can partner with a consultant who understands their needs and drives effective strategies.
