SMB’s needs from an SEO agency – Andy S Video Interview

Hi and welcome to this week SEO video, today I’m joined by Creare’s sales director Andy Smith.

Andy - Hello

Today ‘s blog is all about understanding what small medium businesses need from an digital marketing agency and what questions any business should be asking a potential online marketing company. So with that in mind I’m going to be asking Andy some challenging questions surrounding strategy and perceived value.

Andy - Let’s get cracking.

Okay first question, what do you small medium businesses look for when choosing a agency?

Andy – , Almost 70% of small medium businesses believe online digital marketing is crucial to their business plans. we’ve been researching this recently and understand small to medium business’s choose their agency based on the following criteria.

Expertise, Scalability, Partnership & Customer service.

Okay can you expand on each of these points?..

Andy – Ok so expertise is obvious in some ways, A lot of clients get caught thinking they are dealing with experts in marketing, design and SEO. If the agency is outsourcing elements of the campaign to other companies, the strategy can easily get disjointed and compromised.

How do you feel the dynamics of the small to medium businesses and agency should work as the relationship develops?

Andy – This is where scalability is critical, all businesses want to grow in some way and need an agency that has the infrastructure and ambition to support them as they grow.

This is also where the partnership develops, most small to medium businesses accept they are not experts in marketing, but they do understand their business. Our consultants listen and understand the clients needs before they advise – therefore creating a partnership not a dictatorship!

How important is customer service then in all of these items?

Andy – 90% of small to medium businesses in the UK cite customer service as an important factor and 21% switched due to poor customer service. For us it’s about honesty and regular communication throughout the working relationship.

With so many SEO and PPC companies out there, What are the warning signs to look out for when choosing a digital marketing agency?

Andy – For us you have to have a clear focus on return on investment and agree the strategy together. The days of black hat SEO, PPC cons are gladly over. We also need to ensure that the keyword strategy works hand in hand with great website design.

Thanks Andy, some excellent points discussed, so in summary For SMB’s today whether you are changing agencies or using an agency for the first time. Always do you research, make sure they understand your business and can demonstrate how they will partner and support you both now and in the future.

Today’s key take aways are: Expertise, Scalability, Partnership & Customer service.

Thanks for watching.