If you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow your business and expand into new markets, hiring the right digital marketing agency in Nigeria can help you reach new customers and grow your company faster than ever before. However, there are plenty of digital marketing agencies in Nigeria that aren’t right for you, your business or your goals. The size, experience and skill of an agency will determine how they fit into your plan.
The digital marketing agency industry in Nigeria has grown significantly in the last couple of years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down soon. With so many marketing agencies operating in Nigeria today, finding the right one can be difficult – but not impossible. If you want to find the best digital marketing agency for your needs, here are some tips to help you get started and do things right.
1. Define your company’s digital marketing goals
Before you begin searching for an agency, make sure you have a clear idea of what your goals are. Make a list of what you want to accomplish with your company’s online marketing efforts. Without a clear vision for your marketing effort, the measurement of results becomes vague and ambiguous. Your list could include gaining more likes on Facebook, increasing traffic to your website, increasing sales or boosting engagement rates among users. From there, it’s easier to spot agencies that match these goals and will help you meet them. (If you don’t know where to start, we can help determine how our agency can meet your goal).
2. Identify the factors that influence decision making
The factors that influence your decision making in choosing the right digital marketing agency in Nigeria could include both your personal preferences and any additional industry constraints, such as location or budget. Can you effectively work with an agency from any part of the country or only those in your state or city?
Before you start a search for a new digital marketing agency, you should identify all of these factors. You’ll also want to decide whether you prefer an on-site or off-site team. On-site teams work from within your company’s office space, while off-site teams operate remotely as your team extension.
While having an on-site team might seem like a good idea because it ensures that there is direct communication, modern technologies have made it possible to have a remote team operating from their own office as we do with companies we work with.
3. Seek referrals in your search for a digital marketing agency in Nigeria
One of the best ways to find a great digital marketing agency is through referrals. Talk with friends, coworkers, business owners and vendors that you trust about which agencies they’ve worked with.
If someone has hired a company for their business, ask them about their experience. Are they still using that company? Are they happy with their results? Would they recommend them for your business? Ask those questions and follow up on your leads so you can interview potential agencies from referrals.
Make sure to ask plenty of questions if you contact an agency based on a referral because you want to make sure it’s going to be a good fit for both parties before signing any contracts or handing over any money. At 360 Hub Digital, we currently work with brands in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
4. Prepare a shortlist of agencies
There are many firms you could choose from when deciding which digital marketing agency in Nigeria is best for your business. But before diving into a new partnership, research each firm to make sure you’re choosing an agency that has what it takes—from experience and skillset—to help your business succeed.
For example, if you’re planning on ramping up your PPC campaign, make sure potential agencies have a proven track record in SEM (search engine marketing).
You may also want to consider an integrated approach where a single agency handles all areas of digital strategy—from web design and development to social media marketing and pay-per-click advertising. Find out if they can support or provide recommendations for an integrated strategy with cross-channel capabilities.
5. Choose three agencies
Good digital marketing agencies have built up reputations. That means there are likely other companies that you can ask about their experience with a particular agency. One way is to contact those they have worked for, to ask about them.
Good agencies generally maintain active websites and social media profiles; check those out before contacting them directly. Many also offer free initial consultations; use these as an opportunity to get a better idea of how they work and whether they’re a good fit for your company’s needs. Ask them how they can help your company grow.
6. Interview three agencies
After choosing about 3 digital marketing agencies in Nigeria you think can help your company, then interview them. A first step in this stage is to ask them how they can help your company grow.
Before you begin your interview for an agency, make sure that you are familiar with what you should be looking for. Once you know what to look for, it’s time to interview potential agencies and narrow down a list of 2-3 potential candidates that are most likely to fit your needs. During these interviews, make sure that you ask questions about all of these areas before asking for a proposal. For instance, you can find out the cost of adverting on Facebook in Nigeria, then ask them to see their response.
7. Compare digital agency proposals
When selecting an internet marketing company in Nigeria, know that it’s easy for a freelancer or other seller of services to come across as cheap. But you’re actually doing your company a disservice if you go too far down that road.
In order to attract high-quality talent for your growth agenda, it makes sense that you offer compensation commensurate with what similar firms are paying in your area and what you expect to gain.
This is especially true when you’re working with an agency. Just because they’re offering value doesn’t mean they won’t also look elsewhere if another firm can match their salary requirements while still making a profit. If they suspect you don’t have much money (or at least not enough money), they’ll be less likely to work hard on your behalf. Don’t expect a digital marketing company to spend the same amount of time they spend on clients that pay well on your business if you are not willing to pay.
8. Select an agency
Choosing a digital marketing firm can be difficult, especially when you are starting out. With many agencies offering similar services, it can be a challenge trying to separate yourself from other small businesses.
It’s important that you select an agency that knows what they are doing and has good communication skills because these will be invaluable during your time together. It’s also important that you feel comfortable with your selected digital marketing firm in your shortlist because there may be challenges during your time together and if trust isn’t there on both sides, it won’t last.
9. Work together with the digital marketing agency you have chosen in Nigeria
In the early stage of your partnership, the agency you have chosen will be in the learning stage. By that, I mean there are things about your business that you know that they don’t. For instance, to create a good prospect persona, you may have to supply them with your current customer demographics. This will enable them to target the right audience online.
Working together also means building mutual trust and making communication seamless. If you need a partner to help take your business to the next level, you can get in touch with us.
