Is an online marketing agency the right fit for you?

As you’re looking to grow your business and expand your marketing, you might be considering hiring a third-party agency to help you. Whether your in-house team is limited or you’re looking for a specific online marketing agency

, there are extensive benefits to partnering with an agency — but only if your business is ready for it. 

At Padula Media, we help clients improve their digital marketing in Pennsylvania and beyond. Focusing on web design, SEO, and digital branding, we take an innovative and collaborative approach to our clients in Philadelphia, Chester County, Montgomery County and Plymouth Meeting.

Here are 5 things to consider as you research whether an internet marketing company or agency is the right fit for you, and your business at its current stage. 

 

Investment

As you begin to research if hiring an online marketing agency is right for you, the first thing to consider is the financial investment that is required. While hiring a third party to assist with marketing is usually much more affordable than building and hiring an in-house team, there are still risks involved and costs associated. If your business is agency-ready, you’ll likely already have key marketing strategies in place — like a robust organic audience that will keep the business afloat while you invest in growing your paid strategies to generate new business. If the business is rocky and your finances are unstable, it might not be the best time to expand your marketing strategies. 

Aside from a monthly retainer, there can be costs for goods and services associated with marketing strategies like improving your website infrastructure, mailing promotional material, or filming a commercial. These costs are often outside of an agency fee and are centered around marketing materials associated with campaigns. Consider these costs when budgeting for this next step in your business.

 

Time and Transparency

Just like any good relationship, the working partnership between a client and a marketing agency takes time and effort. You want to build a relationship with your account team that is centered around communication, transparency, and trust-building. This sets both you, and your agency, up for success. Make sure you find an agency that you click with — one you can trust to grow your business with —since transparency is the backbone of a good client relationship. From providing branding guidelines to being responsive to emails, the more information an agency has from you the more likely they are to succeed, as the partnership is a two-way street. Be willing to ask questions of your account manager to ensure you understand why a strategy is recommended or why something failed.

If you’re considering hiring an online marketing agency, it’s important to prioritize the time out of your workflow that is needed to not only initially kick off the relationship but also to continue nurturing it as the partnership grows. Similar to the time needed to onboard a new team member, invest in the time needed to get your account manager up to speed on your organization. Consider your agency partner as a member of your in-house team.

Setting aside the necessary time will ensure both your relationship and your marketing, reach their full potential.  

 

Type of agency

When you’re beginning to research what kind of online marketing agency is the right fit for you, it’s important to understand the different levels of service and offerings that different types of agencies offer. Not all agencies are built equal, so take some time to research which will be the best for your goals.

An inbound marketing agency will focus on strategies to drive traffic and leads to your business. This type of strategy is mainly focused on driving visitors to your site through their own organic research and can include strategies like online reputation monitoring, SEO services or curated landing pages to generate leads through website design.

A full-service marketing agency might be the best fit for you if you have limited to no in-house marketing support. Instead of hiring an internal team, a full-service marketing agency can help you with early-stage marketing like brand conceptualization, design, and strategic planning.

If you have a solid foundation of your brand and business, a digital marketing agency could help you grow your business and increase your online presence through tactics like content marketing, paid social advertising, video production, pay-per-click advertising, and more. Digital marketing agencies can help grow your already existing organic audience so you can reach more customers and improve leads.

 

Goals

While it might seem obvious, understanding your business’s goals before hiring a digital marketing agency will help you, and the agency, determine what kind of support is needed. If you’re not able to articulate your goals and what you’re looking to accomplish, it will be difficult for a third party to know what services they should offer. Take the necessary time to audit where your marketing currently is, and what you’re looking to accomplish as you enter into a partnership with an agency. Set internal KPIs (key performance indicators) that are specific, measurable, and data-focused. This way, when you hire a marketing agency, you’ll have a clear vision for what success looks like for both you and your account manager. 

While setting your goals, make sure you specify who will be held accountable for what. Creating a clear delineation between what you, as a customer, are responsible for, and what your agency is responsible for when it comes to your marketing. By doing this, you can outline that everyone is working towards the same goal and not overlapping or neglecting duties.

 

Ability to Scale and Perform

Lastly, and maybe the most important, is to make sure that your business is set up to grow! Will you be able to serve your new clients? Do you have the bandwidth to grow your business? Are there operational issues that might prevent you from success? You should ask yourself, “If my marketing agency delivers on their end of the agreement, will I still be able to deliver for my customers?” 

If you have concerns about your ability to scale, make sure you’re transparent with your agency. They might be able to help you work around these issues by implementing specific strategies. By communicating openly and honestly about these potential issues, your agency will have a clear picture of what the concerns are and how their work plays a role. 

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Screen Shot 2022 02 10 at 9.33.46 AM

When you’re ready, an internet marketing company can help you take your business to new heights. The partnership between client and agency should be one centered around mutual respect, collaboration, and innovation that will empower you to reach your goals and grow your business. Is now the right time for you to hire a web design company in Philadelphia? If so, contact us at Padula Media to see how we can help you meet your 2022 marketing goals. As a leading internet marketing company in Philadelphia, Chester County, and beyond, Padula Media offers best-in-class digital marketing, SEO services, web design, and more.

Jordan

TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Jordan received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M and started his first business after graduating. He has started and exited businesses in various industries including education, SaaS, marketing, eCom, SEO, and AI. Outside of work he likes to cook, game, and take leisurely walks around the lake.

Alex

WRITER

Alex Shute is an SEO Strategist and SEO Content Writer renowned for integrating organic search into broader marketing strategies, aiding businesses and professionals in boosting their organic revenue. Passionate about SEO and Content Writing, Alex stays abreast of industry trends and conducts thorough site analyses to enhance SEO metrics and identify improvement areas.

Ethan

WRITER

Ethan is an experienced Content and Copywriter. He graduated from Clemson Univeristy with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. After graduating he moved to Europe to teach Englsh in Hungary and Spain before returning home to get back to his marketing roots. When he isn’t working, Ethan loves to travel, play soccer, play guitar and spend time with friends and family.

Shannon McLaughlin

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Shannon graduated from Shippensburg University with a major in Communication/ Journalism and emphasis in Public Relations. Outside of work she enjoys running, Philly sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Kyle Toomey

PHOTOGRAPHER

Kyle is our Content Creator. Photography, Videography & Drone. “Creating Content is what I love to do and to be able to do it as a career makes it all the better.” Kyle recently got married and enjoys spending his time with his wife Traveling, watching Philadelphia sports and playing Baseball/Softball.

Owen Pesnell

VIDEOGRAPHER

Owen is passionate about helping clients communicate through video. From the conception of a project all the way through to final delivery, Owen’s focus is on creating video content that is true to your brand and resonates with your target audience. Outside of work, you’ll likely find him walking the Schuylkill River Trail.

Megan

CONTENT CREATOR

Megan is a content creator with a passion for telling stories through intentional design. She holds her bachelor’s degree in Communicative Arts, with emphasis on Public Relations, from Wisconsin Lutheran College. Throughout her career, Megan has worked with dozens of businesses to revamp their marketing materials and strengthen their social strategy. When she is not designing social media graphics and debating the use of the oxford comma, Megan is with her family and friends (and still probably drinking coffee).

Ethan

WRITER

Ethan is an experienced Content and Copywriter. He graduated from Clemson Univeristy with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. After graduating he moved to Europe to teach Englsh in Hungary and Spain before returning home to get back to his marketing roots. When he isn’t working, Ethan loves to travel, play soccer, play guitar and spend time with friends and family.

Lili

WRITER

Lili is an experienced SEO writer passionate about creating engaging content. When she’s not working, Lili enjoys spending time outdoors, reading books or bingeing shows, and caring for her two fur babies. An avid learner, she also works hard to stay up-to-date on the latest strategies and techniques associated with marketing and SEO.

Cameron

LEAD WRITER

Cameron is a writer and digital marketing expert dedicated to helping small businesses grow through valuable content and digital strategies. With years of experience, she has aided numerous businesses in expanding their reach and establishing themselves as industry leaders. A Virginia Tech graduate, Cameron has worked as a reporter for the Roanoke Times and spent seven years on Compass real estate’s marketing team, working with the nation’s top real estate agents to grow their business. She enjoys building lasting relationships with clients and using powerful content to help them achieve their goals.

Maribeth Woodford

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Maribeth Woodford is a seasoned professional with a rich background in business development, franchise sales, and marketing. Her entrepreneurial journey is highlighted by her successful stint as the owner of a yoga studio for eight years, demonstrating her deep understanding of market trends and customer engagement. This experience underlines her expertise in not only running a business but also in effectively marketing it to a target audience. Her skills in marketing have been instrumental in her ability to help businesses grow, showcasing her knack for creating strategies that resonate with diverse consumer bases. Maribeth’s authenticity shines through in her marketing approach, allowing her to connect with customers and clients on a genuine level. In her personal life, Maribeth is a dedicated mother to two college-aged children and enjoys the lively company of her GoldenDoodle, Munson. Her love for travel and yoga is a reflection of her dynamic personality and continuous quest for knowledge. Overall, Maribeth Woodford’s blend of professional acumen in business development, marketing, and franchise sales, combined with her passions, paints the picture of a well-rounded, driven, and compassionate individual.

Laura

PHOTOGRAPHER

A former biologist, Laura first picked up a camera to photograph the microscopic world of insects. She now enjoys all genres of photography including real estate, events, portraits, and her favorite: family documentary. When she’s not behind the lens Laura can be found with her husband and their five kids camping at the beach or off on some other (mis)adventure.

Maddy

BRANDING AND DESIGN

Maddy is a strategic storytelling expert with a diverse background in digital marketing, videography, and graphic design. She received her B.S. in Interactive Digital Media with minors in Graphic Arts and Film Studies from Immaculata University. Outside of building brands, Maddy is also a trained dancer and teacher, Ben & Jerry’s addict, and dog lover.

Nicole Kavetski

Senior Marketing Manager

Nicole received her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from West Chester University and has made her way into the Digital Marketing field as Padula Media’s Senior Marketing Manager. Outside of work, she likes to travel, cook, and attend concerts with her friends.

Sachin

FULL-STACK DEVELOPER

Sachin is a highly skilled full-stack developer. He completed his graduation in website development.

After completing his studies, He started his professional journey as a web developer and worked in an IT organization for three years.

Apart from his professional endeavours, He is also a fitness enthusiast and likes to spend his free time in the gym.

Kari Schneider

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & FINANCE

Kari is a longtime entrepreneur and networker. She has a 25+ year background in sales and marketing in the telecommunications industry, real estate, solar and business consulting. She loves balancing books and creating order out of chaos.

Steven Singer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Steven, our Director of Operations, is focused on strategy, growth, and the future of Padula Media. He has a background in the real estate industry stemming from sales to operations and management. With Padula Media, Steven will be helping our sales, marketing, and operations teams to give our clients a 5-star experience in achieving their goals.

Thomas Padula

FOUNDER & CEO

Thomas is a creative marketer and leader with determination and enthusiasm for every project and every client. He remains passionate about growing businesses by creating personalized solutions to draw traffic and build an online presence. Thomas has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Chester County under the age of 40.

Fred

MASCOT

Fred Chunky Padula is Padula Media’s mascot.