The 6 Best Digital Marketing Companies of 2020

Digital marketing covers everything from SEO and content marketing to email campaigns, social media strategy, and video marketing too. 

With new digital marketing companies popping up left and right offering a bit of everything (and truly speaking to no one), it’s no surprise you’re having a hard time finding the right one. 

The best thing to do is narrow down your options by bypassing those digital marketing companies trying to do too many things at once. 

Why? Because true highly-niched experts are the best way to get the results you want (and deserve) for your business. 

But, it’s not always easy to find those experts when you need them. 

So, I put together a list of the top digital marketing companies who genuinely excel at what they do to help you find the right fit for your business depending on what you need. 

Then, we’re going to talk about what makes them great and what to expect when working with them. 

Let’s get started!

The 6 top digital marketing companies in the world

Digital marketing can be done from anywhere in the world. 

So, it doesn’t matter if you’re living in New York and want to work with a company in Houston. Or living in London interested in an advertising specialist in Australia. 

All this freedom does make it difficult to narrow down your choices. 

But this list is a great place to start. 

1. Neil Patel Digital — Best for content marketing and SEO

Let’s face it — consistent content creation and effective content marketing are the banes of a lot of business’s existence. 

Pair that with constantly evolving search engine algorithms and you have a recipe for burnout and frustration (on top of your every-day to-do’s). 

Thankfully there’s an easier way than staying on top of it on your own. 

Neil Patel Digital was built by marketers — not bankers — interested in disrupting the way brands (and their target audience) think about the content they create, publish, and promote. 

We’ve helped businesses like Facebook, Intuit, and Google, as well as small to medium-sized businesses, disrupt their industries with our holistic and authentic approach to content creation and search engine optimization

From research to execution to promotion and ongoing optimization, we know a thing or two (or twenty) about helping your brand create the best content for the right people… and putting it in front of them as well.

Your business deserves to be heard and there’s no one more dedicated to making that happen than our team of professional experts equipped with my world-class digital marketing strategies.

Plus, with seven offices around the world, our team is here for you when you need us. 

2. Cubicle Ninjas — Best for brand design and app/website development

You can have the best ideas and products in the world but without a brand that portrays your story and core values, you’re going to have a hard time connecting with your audience

But cohesive brand design goes beyond the basics of graphic design best practices and Googling for free information until your eyes gloss over. 

That’s where an experienced specialist comes in and saves the day. 

Cubicle Ninjas uses a strategic combination of design and technology to develop innovative, inspiring, and one-of-a-kind branding design paired with the mobile apps and websites brands need to stand out in our online world. 

They’ve designed high-end customer experiences for companies like Red Bull, Microsoft, IBM, and Hilton but they also work with smaller boutique brands as well. 

Cubicle Ninjas believe the best brands encompass visual, written, and interactive elements to create a cohesive customer experience through every stage of their journey from casual visitors to loyal repeat customers. 

Their client-proven process works for businesses and projects of all sizes interested in developing a brand and creative assets that help them tell their story. 

3. Storm Brain — Best for advertising and social media marketing

Social media seemingly changes by the second. 

It feels impossible to keep up with new platforms, updated policies, and ever-changing social media marketing techniques on top of running your business. 

But thankfully, you don’t have to. 

Storm Brain is a digital marketing company specializing in effective advertising campaigns and social media marketing that helps brands of all sizes generate more leads, build brand ambassadors, and make more money with a strong focus on ROI. 

They’ve worked with some big names like Zillow, Ford, and Citi Bank but they also work with smaller brands in a wide variety of industries. 

Storm Brain focuses on planning, creating, and executing both paid and organic social media campaigns that help your audience connect with your brand across social media channels. 

However, they specialize in Facebook and paid social media advertising

Their four-step strategic approach centers around your target audience and capitalizes on paid media, owned media, and earned media to ensure your brand is in front of the right people. 

4. Mad Mind — Best for eCommerce development and product branding

As a product-based business, you have different marketing roadblocks than service-based or blogging-based businesses. 

And there are a lot of other branding elements coming into play as well.

Thankfully, Mad Mind is here to help. 

They’re a creative digital marketing studio for both large and small eCommerce brands looking to develop cohesive branding from their website design down to the smallest details of their product packaging. 

Brands like Lyft and Sony Music trust Mad Mind to help them create an impactful brand, attract the right people, and turn them into lifelong paying customers.

Furthermore, they’ve been featured on Shark Tank, The Los Angeles Times, and Vogue. 

From WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify development to custom websites and thoughtful eCommerce branding, their team of “marketing geniuses” delivers powerful results and dynamic marketing strategies you can leverage for years to come. 

5. Pop Video — Best for video and visual content marketing

Video and visual content marketing are booming right now. 

But it’s no secret planning, creating, and producing videos feels overwhelming and downright difficult, to say the least. 

The good news is… you don’t have to do it all yourself. 

Pop Video specializes in doing the heavy lifting (read: video creation, execution, repurposing, editing, etc.) for you. 

They know your audience expects more than one-off videos and other types of visual content. And they also believe your business deserves better, as well. They don’t call themselves a “lean, mean, content-generating machine” for nothing. 

Pop Video has partnered with hundreds of brands including Phillips 66, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Mattress Firm to revolutionize the way their audiences consume and interact with digital content. 

However, they don’t just produce great videos. 

They help you create a library of visual assets by repurposing content as well so you can walk away with all the visual content marketing material you need. 

6. Action Rocket — Best for email marketing and design

There’s a reason 93% of B2B brands use email to distribute the content they create — it works

But starting your email list and growing it into a database of raving fans and customers isn’t easy. Most businesses know this and do everything they can to avoid it like the plague. 

Good thing you have another option. 

Action Rocket is an email marketing studio leveraging strategic approaches, creative thinking, and in-depth customer journeys to develop results-driven email marketing campaigns

Furthermore, they’ve worked with some huge names you may have heard of like QVC, Unicef, and American Express. 

However, they also work with businesses of all sizes anywhere in the world. 

Action Rocket offers courses, workshops, and training as well as world-class email campaign creation services so you can start leveraging one of the most effective forms of digital marketing for your business. 

7 characteristics that make a great digital marketing company

Now you know my top recommendations. 

So, let’s talk about what makes these digital marketing companies great and what to look for if none of the companies above match what you’re after. These are the key steps in how to pick the right digital marketing agency.

1. A great website and digital marketing strategy

Smart digital marketers understand the importance of having a well-designed website and an effective digital marketing strategy. 

So, it makes sense to expect your digital marketing company to have both, especially if they offer web design or custom development services.

Take a look around their website, sign up for the email list, and peek at their social media profiles to make sure they’re practicing what they preach. 

And if they’re not… move on to a digital marketing company that is.

2. An impressive portfolio

Agencies use their portfolio to show off their best work. 

So, look through their published portfolio pieces to see examples of the types of work they produce for their clients. 

This also gives you an idea of the types of clients they frequently work with. 

Pay close attention to the style and quality of what they do and make sure it closely aligns with what you hope to get out of working with them. 

Furthermore, look at the list of clients they have to see if you recognize any of the names. 

If anything seems off or doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, move on to a digital marketing company that feels like a better fit for you and your business. 

3. Aligned company culture and core values

It’s important to work with companies that value the same things and have a strong company culture you can appreciate to get the results you hope to achieve (without wanting to pull your hair out). 

Do you prefer a creative and collaborative atmosphere or a more rigid and structured approach? 

Look at the words, phrases, and photos they use on their website to get an idea of how they work and make sure it’s a good match to what you’re looking for. 

Some digital marketing companies use humor and playfulness while others are more serious. 

So, decide what type of experience you want to have and find a company that matches that. 

Example: Would you use the word “disruptive” to describe your brand and vision?

4. A diverse team with appropriate specializations

It’s important to hire a digital marketing company with the right team that can deliver the results you’re hoping for. 

If you’re looking for high-end brand design services, make sure they have an experienced team of designers to take on your project. 

Or maybe you’re interested in a custom-coded website. 

Check out that company’s team on their about page (if they have everyone listed there) or on LinkedIn to make sure they have an experienced designer and a coder or developer on staff. 

5. Timely and effective communication

Strong communication is one of the most important parts of a fruitful and beneficial partnership between a company and its digital marketing company. 

So, it’s important to consider their communication skills and overall customer service before hiring them. 

You can do this by evaluating the responses you get and how long it takes for them to respond to your messages and questions before giving them any money. 

This doesn’t always work but if they take weeks to respond to a simple question, consider moving on to someone else. 

6. Realistic promises and proven results

Before scheduling a consultation or reaching out for more information, look through their website to make sure their promises are realistic. 

Furthermore, look to see if you can find any data-driven case studies they have regarding the type of results they regularly produce for their clients. 

If they’re promising unrealistic things and making outlandish claims on their website, that’s a huge red flag. 

Why? Because this means they probably don’t understand how the industry works and they don’t have any actual client results to share. 

7. Real-world client testimonials

93% of consumers turn to customer reviews and testimonials when deciding to buy something. They do this because it helps justify the expense and ensure they’re going to get what they pay for. 

So, you should do the same. 

Keep an eye out for detailed and honest customer reviews or testimonials to give you an insight into what working with the company is like. 

If you can’t find any, they probably haven’t worked with many clients and they may be inexperienced. 

Which… is fine if you’re on a budget. But it’s not fine if you’re looking for the best possible solution for your business. 

What to expect from a great digital marketing company

Now you know what to look for, so let’s talk about what to expect when working or partnering with a digital marketing company.

The details of each phase look different for every business out there. But, the fundamentals remain the same regardless of the company you choose to work with. 

Phase 1: discovery and research

The best digital marketing companies want to learn everything there is to know about your business from top to bottom. 

This usually happens through a series of phone calls/zoom chats and detailed questionnaires so they can get to know you and what you’re looking for. They’ll also do a deep dive into your target market, audience, and competition. 

Phase 2: developing a plan of action

Once they know who you are and what you’re looking for, they’ll work with you to develop a detailed timeline and plan of attack to get the job done well and on time. 

Phase 3: executing the plan of attack

Once everyone agrees on the plan, it’s time to start executing. 

Your digital marketing company will work through the process of creating and finalizing everything you both agreed to during phase 2. 

This includes building infrastructure, creatives, ongoing strategies, and anything else you need to achieve the results you’re after. Again, this looks different for different types of projects and the company you’re working with. 

Depending on the complexity of your project, this could take anywhere from a few days to several months (or even a few years depending on the type of partnership). 

Phase 4: results and offboarding

After everything is complete, good digital marketing companies will walk you through the results and outcomes you achieved by working together. 

From there, you’ll discuss the next steps and how to move forward on your own (or what happens next if your partnership isn’t over).

Digital marketing = long-term relationships and results

Investing in digital marketing is a huge step in the right direction for your business. But, these strategies don’t return results overnight and they generally tend to ramp up over time. 

So, expect a long-term relationship with your digital marketing company.

The longer you work with them, the more fine-tuned they are to your needs, and the quicker they can get to work producing even better long-term results for you and your business. 

So, whether you choose one of my top recommendations or scout out your own, use the tips and best practices we talked about to make a smart, educated decision… like the future of your business depends on it. 

Because it does!

Have you worked with any digital marketing companies recently? How did it go and did you get the results you hoped for?

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How to Choose The Right Digital Marketing Agency

Deciding to hire a digital marketing agency is easy.  The hard part is deciding which digital marketing agency to hire.  In today’s world, anyone with an internet connection can create a website and start offering services as an entrepreneur. The barriers to entry are slim to none.  Which… is what makes choosing the right digital …

The post How to Choose The Right Digital Marketing Agency appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

How to Choose The Right Digital Marketing Agency

Deciding to hire a digital marketing agency is easy. 

The hard part is deciding which digital marketing agency to hire. 

In today’s world, anyone with an internet connection can create a website and start offering services as an entrepreneur. The barriers to entry are slim to none. 

Which… is what makes choosing the right digital marketing agency so tricky. 

However, I know a few things that can help simplify the decision-making process. In this article, I cover what to look for, things to avoid, how to make the most of your digital marketing agency, and my top recommendations. 

But first, let’s start at the beginning. 

Know your goals and desired outcomes

Every business is different, as is every digital marketing agency. 

Digital marketing agencies usually specialize in one or two areas. And while many of them are “full-service,” they typically prefer projects within their specialty.

So the first step in choosing the right digital marketing agency is understanding your goals and what you hope to achieve by working with one. 

It may be easier to break this down into deliverables, the goal of those deliverables, and the outcome you hope to achieve. Knowing these things helps you communicate what you wish to get out of the project. 

And when an agency knows what you’re looking for, they know whether they can actually help you without wasting anyone’s time. 

Here are some examples to get your wheels turning. 

Example #1:

Pretend you want to hire an agency to help you develop a content marketing system. You ultimately want a blog that continuously runs on autopilot with no work required by you. 

  • Deliverable: a fully-managed content marketing plan, strategy, and system
  • Goal: attract more of the right visitors to your website with high-quality content
  • End result: a blog 100% managed by someone else

From there, you can start looking for companies that fit the bill because you know exactly what you’re looking for and how to communicate your desired outcomes.

Example #2:

Maybe you’re interested in creating a series of marketing videos you can use on social media and your website, but you don’t know how to do it or where to start. 

You also want someone to coach you through the process. 

  • Deliverable: a series of on-brand marketing videos and matching visual assets
  • Goal: communicate your new offer in a fun and engaging way for your audience
  • End result: a finished product and the know-how required to do it on your own

Now, you can actively look for digital marketing agencies that are willing to coach you through it. Coaching is more hands-on, so not all video marketing agencies can do this. 

But because you know what you want, you can find the right fit for you. 

Imagine the disappointment of hiring someone and realizing they can’t or won’t give you what you were really looking for. 

This is why it’s essential to pinpoint your goals and desired outcomes before doing anything else. 

7 characteristics that make a great digital marketing agency

Now you know what your goals and desired outcomes are. So, it’s time to talk about what makes excellent digital marketing agencies… great. 

So, look for these characteristics as you go through the process of deciding who you want to work with. They’ll help you vet out top-notch service providers from those who say they’re the best without proof to back it up. 

Let’s dive in!

1. A sizable portfolio and/or list of past clients

Smart digital marketing agencies are proud of who they work with and the work they do. Furthermore, they typically display their partnerships for the world to see. 

You don’t necessarily have to know who their past clients are (bonus points if you do). But if you can’t find a list of previous clients or examples of their work, that may mean they haven’t worked with anyone. 

Which… is fine if you’re on a budget. But not okay if you’re looking for the best of the best. 

That said, some types of services aren’t easy to display, like content marketing and SEO. So, agencies specializing in those areas may not be able to showcase their work in a portfolio. 

However, a client list is a good indication of their experience. 

Neil Patel Digital Social Proof

Note: with services like graphic design or website development, you should see a well-put-together showcase of the type of work they do. If you can’t find any examples, move on to a service provider with a portfolio that matches your expectations.

2. Experienced and specialized team members

Regardless of the type of services you’re after, it’s essential to make sure the agency you hire has the right team-members to suit your project. 

For example, you wouldn’t hire someone to design a logo if they don’t have a graphic designer. 

Look through their about page to see if they list their team members there. 

And if not, LinkedIn is also a great place to look. Start by searching for the agency. 

Then click “People” to see a list of everyone who works there. 

Note: this typically won’t show you any freelancers or contractors they work with, so it’s not always 100% indicative of who’s on their team. 

Furthermore, some of their team members may not be on Linkedin at all. 

But this is an excellent place to start. You can always ask questions during your consultation if you aren’t sure. 

3. Social proof and a strong industry reputation

Social proof, like testimonials and previous client reviews, can give you deep insight into what working with that agency is like.

Furthermore, smart marketers understand the importance of displaying social proof on their website. So, if you can’t find any, they may not have any previous clients, or they may not understand the industry as well as you’d like them to. 

Besides positive reviews, negative or neutral reviews can also shine a light on areas that agency struggles with to get a clear understanding of their work. 

Lastly, you can search for in-depth reviews on Google to see what others in the industry (and their past clients) say about their experiences with the agency. 

4. Similar core values and company culture

Take a moment to revisit your company’s core values and culture.

Why? Because it’s crucial to work with a digital marketing agency that values the same things and operates in a similar environment. 

Doing so ensures they mesh and work well with your team. Ultimately, an agency is an extension of your business. Choosing an agency with the right values and culture is just as important as considering the quality of their work. 

The last thing you want is the stress of working with a group of people who don’t value the same things or operate in the same way. 

Look at the words and phrases an agency uses to describe what they do. Does this align with your core values and the results you expect to see? 

If not, move on to an agency that feels like a better fit. 

5. A well-designed website

Your website is like a cozy entryway that makes the right people feel welcome. 

The best digital marketers know how essential a well-designed website is. So, if they’re not executing internal projects well, why would you expect them to deliver something better for yours? 

This is especially true if they offer website development or design services. 

So, look through their website and listen to your instincts. 

If it doesn’t feel right or appears low-quality, you’re better off moving on to an agency that values good design and delivering exceptional user experiences

6. They don’t make outlandish promises

The type of results an agency promises on their website is a strong indication of how well they understand the industry. 

For example, anyone claiming to fast track your way to the number one spot on Google doesn’t know that SEO is both a long-term and short-term marketing strategy. Or that it requires continuous work to maintain. 

So, that’s probably not someone you should hire to help optimize your website. 

Pay close attention to the claims and promises they make. 

Make sure they align with what you know about the industry. And remember outlandish or seemingly impossible promises are a huge red flag. 

Stick to digital marketing agencies that offer transparency and realistic promises. 

7. And they’re easy to get in touch with

The best digital marketing agencies make it as easy as possible for potential clients to get in touch with them. 

Navigating their website shouldn’t feel like a maze,

In a perfect world, their contact information isn’t more than one click away regardless of what page you’re on. And they provide a clear call to action, so you know what to do next.

Furthermore, your first step should be painfully clear. Do they want you to schedule a consultation? Maybe you’re supposed to fill out a contact form for more information or a custom quote. 

If it isn’t obvious or you’re struggling to figure out how things work, consider choosing a digital marketing agency that simplifies the process. 

How to work with a digital marketing agency

There are quite a few things you can do as a client to maximize your results and get the most out of your strategic partnership with a digital marketing agency. 

Doing these things helps set the stage for effective and successful collaboration through every phase of the project.

Prepare your team and do your homework

It’s essential to have everyone on the same page. So, have a meeting with your team and let them know the extent of your new project or partnership with plenty of time to get ready for it. 

If you owe the agency anything, be sure to spend time on it and do it well. They need to learn the ins and outs of your business, and this is your chance to put it all out on the table. 

This sets the precedence for the rest of the project, so don’t rush to get it done. 

Understand the scope, process, and timeline

Before the project starts, make sure every person with a stake in it agrees on the scope and timeline before moving forward. This is just as much your job as it is your agency’s. 

Furthermore, most digital marketing projects go through these four phases:

  1. Discovery and research
  2. Project planning
  3. Execution
  4. Review, results, and offboarding

Layout the details of each step with your team and agency so everything is crystal clear before the project begins. 

Don’t expect a hands-off experience

The best digital marketing projects are highly collaborative. 

Furthermore, your input, thoughts, and ideas help move the project forward in the right direction to match your desired outcomes. 

Some agencies and projects are more collaborative than others. So make sure you understand what they need from you throughout the entire project. 

It may help to have a dedicated point of contact and a team or team member ready to manage the project. Having someone readily available helps ensure you’re not holding things up on your end. 

Be ready to forfeit control

It’s important to remember that the agency you hired is excellent at what it does, and you hired them for a reason — their expertise. 

This means giving them complete control over certain aspects of the project to let them do what they do best. It’s also important to listen to what they say. 

If they have a reason for doing things a certain way, remind yourself they’re the experts. 

You don’t necessarily have to agree, but it’s worth keeping an open mind. 

Ask questions

If you’ve never worked with a digital marketing agency before, you will see and experience a lot of new things. 

And it’s completely normal if you don’t understand everything that’s happening. 

The best thing to do is ask questions.

Maybe you don’t know why they chose this color over that one. Or there’s a piece of data you don’t get. Perhaps someone said something that doesn’t make sense to you. 

There’s nothing wrong with not knowing. However, asking about the things you’re unsure of is an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn more. It also helps clear up any uncertainties. 

How to find the right digital marketing agency for you

There are countless “full-service” agencies offering every type of service you can imagine under one roof. Which… sounds great, but I don’t recommend hiring them. 

Why? It makes more sense when you think about other industries. 

Example #1: Would you rather hire a general contractor or a custom porch specialist to build a custom-fit back deck for your house? The specialist, right? 

Example #2: Who do you see when you have specific medical issues that need attention? A specialist for that particular problem. Or you get referred to one by your general care physician. 

The best digital marketing agencies excel at one or two things with their other services being add-ons or secondary options. 

So, choose a niched digital marketing agency specializing in the types of services you’re looking for to get the best results and the most bang for your buck. 

The 6 top digital marketing agencies

Now you know what to look for and how to choose the right digital marketing agency for your next project. To help you get started, these are my top agency recommendations for different types of projects.

1. Neil Patel Digital — Best for SEO and content marketing

Neil Patel Digital is a holistic digital marketing agency specializing in content marketing and SEO for brands interested in disrupting their industry. 

Our goal is to change the way brands think about the content they produce. 

And we also care about helping that content get the attention it deserves

Our team of highly-skilled content marketers and SEO experts are equipped with my tried-and-tested digital marketing strategies to help your business deliver the right types of content… at the right time. 

Neil Patel Digital Hero

2. Storm Brain — Best for social media marketing and advertising

Storm Brain specializes in helping brands of all sizes generate more leads and leverage social media through organic and paid campaigns. 

They go the extra mile by looking at clients through the lens of an audience member to help craft and deliver long-term experiences that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. 

3. Action Rocket — Best for email marketing campaigns

From workshops and online courses to full-scale email campaign creation services, Action Rocket is a go-to expert for all things email marketing

Their team specializes in email strategy, design, and coding so you don’t have to worry about planning your campaigns or designing them. 

Plus, you can rest easy knowing your email code aligns with today’s best practices. 

4. Pop Video — Best for visual content marketing

Pop Video is a visual content marketing agency specializing in video and visual content marketing as well as matching visual assets for digital brands of all sizes. 

They understand the importance of deep collaboration between clients and their team, which is why they call themselves video partners… not video producers

At Pop Video, they consider themselves an extension of your team that works in parallel to supply iterative content for every step of the customer journey. 

5. Mad Mind — Best for eCommerce brand design

Online stores and eCommerce businesses deal with different challenges. So, you need a digital marketing agency who things differently to help you overcome those roadblocks. 

The Mad Mind team understands the importance of visual brand and product development from the look of your website and social media profiles to the intricate details of product packaging. 

6. Cubicle Ninjas — Best for branding and website/app development

In a perfect world, your website is your #1 salesman. But it’s no secret we aren’t all be web developers with a keen eye for design. 

But that’s why we hire experts, right?

Cubicle Ninjas is a digital marketing agency specializing in custom app and website development. They use modern design, humor, creative thinking, and the latest technologies to create excellent customer experiences

The best digital marketing agency is an extension of your team

Every project, big or small, deserves the attention of a true industry expert. However, choosing the right digital marketing agency often feels overwhelming. 

With tens of thousands of agencies to choose from, that’s no surprise.

But now you know what to look for, what to avoid, and how to prepare your team. Use the tips and characteristics we talked about next time you’re on the hunt for a niched digital marketing agency ready to bring your ideas to life. 

What do you consider before hiring a digital marketing agency? 

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