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Digital Marketing
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Business Growth
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ARTICLE #10
Table of contents
Why you should hire a digital marketing agency
Digital Marketing
Marketing Agency
Business Growth
PPC Management
ROI
Digital Marketing
Marketing Agency
Business Growth
PPC Management
ROI
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: March 8, 2024
Samson Mosilily
Senior Regional Manager
African Market, Regional Management, Growth
Samson Mosilily
Senior Regional Manager
African Market, Regional Management, Growth
Marketing is like oxygen for your business: cut it off, and growth starts to choke. Experts often suggest putting 5% to 10% of your monthly revenue into advertising, but let’s be honest—trying to juggle all of that on top of running day-to-day operations can feel like a comedy sketch gone wrong. That’s precisely where a digital marketing agency steps in: to lighten your load, sharpen your strategy, and help your brand stand out.
Small business owners frequently take a do-it-yourself approach to marketing, initially wary of the cost of hiring professionals. This may work for a while, but as your company begins to scale, you’ll notice that your time is more valuable when spent on core functions, not hour-long tutorials on search ads. A proper agency offers specialised teams who can handle everything from brand awareness to lead generation—so you can focus on keeping the rest of your organisation afloat.
Below, we’ll explore why partnering with a digital marketing agency can pay off in a big way, and how to tell when it’s time to bring in extra help.
Marketing is like oxygen for your business: cut it off, and growth starts to choke. Experts often suggest putting 5% to 10% of your monthly revenue into advertising, but let’s be honest—trying to juggle all of that on top of running day-to-day operations can feel like a comedy sketch gone wrong. That’s precisely where a digital marketing agency steps in: to lighten your load, sharpen your strategy, and help your brand stand out.
Small business owners frequently take a do-it-yourself approach to marketing, initially wary of the cost of hiring professionals. This may work for a while, but as your company begins to scale, you’ll notice that your time is more valuable when spent on core functions, not hour-long tutorials on search ads. A proper agency offers specialised teams who can handle everything from brand awareness to lead generation—so you can focus on keeping the rest of your organisation afloat.
Below, we’ll explore why partnering with a digital marketing agency can pay off in a big way, and how to tell when it’s time to bring in extra help.
1. An agency will be your growth partner
1. An agency will be your growth partner
A digital marketing agency isn’t just a vendor; it’s a group of professionals eager to support your expansion. They bring genuine feedback, nudge your ideas in new directions, and sometimes challenge your thinking to reveal fresh angles.
Since agency teams often work across multiple sectors, they’ve seen what fails and what flourishes in different contexts. By tapping that collective knowledge, you get more than mere suggestions—you gain well-tested approaches that can fast-track your results. You’ll also pick up helpful know-how just by watching their methods in action, from building referral campaigns to crafting social media buzz that actually resonates.
According to Reilly Newman, founder of Motif Brands, “When companies handle their own digital marketing, they often struggle to position and package their offerings in an effective way. Experts bring experience and perspectives to help brands identify marketing gaps and reach their audience.”
A digital marketing agency isn’t just a vendor; it’s a group of professionals eager to support your expansion. They bring genuine feedback, nudge your ideas in new directions, and sometimes challenge your thinking to reveal fresh angles.
Since agency teams often work across multiple sectors, they’ve seen what fails and what flourishes in different contexts. By tapping that collective knowledge, you get more than mere suggestions—you gain well-tested approaches that can fast-track your results. You’ll also pick up helpful know-how just by watching their methods in action, from building referral campaigns to crafting social media buzz that actually resonates.
According to Reilly Newman, founder of Motif Brands, “When companies handle their own digital marketing, they often struggle to position and package their offerings in an effective way. Experts bring experience and perspectives to help brands identify marketing gaps and reach their audience.”
2. Provide you with the latest technology
Digital marketing evolves faster than most people change their wallpaper. A global survey of 1,500 companies showed that 63% increased their digital ad spending in 2021. With new platforms and plugins appearing every other week, staying up to date can feel like an endless treadmill.
An established agency has already invested time and money into figuring out which tools deliver results. Whether you need advanced SEO software, marketing automation systems, or competitive research for pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, your agency can seamlessly integrate these resources into your strategy. Translation? You won’t have to dip into your own pocket or set aside hours for every new tool under the sun.
Digital marketing evolves faster than most people change their wallpaper. A global survey of 1,500 companies showed that 63% increased their digital ad spending in 2021. With new platforms and plugins appearing every other week, staying up to date can feel like an endless treadmill.
An established agency has already invested time and money into figuring out which tools deliver results. Whether you need advanced SEO software, marketing automation systems, or competitive research for pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, your agency can seamlessly integrate these resources into your strategy. Translation? You won’t have to dip into your own pocket or set aside hours for every new tool under the sun.
3. Assist you in reaching more channels
Sometimes you post daily on social media but don’t see a single lead walk through your (virtual) door. Or maybe you’ve tried email campaigns only to watch open rates flatline. An experienced digital marketing agency can pinpoint overlooked opportunities and show you how to energise your current channels, ensuring every effort counts toward real results.
Social media marketing: Tired of shouting into the void? Specialists can craft posts, manage paid ads, and grow your follower base with a systematic plan.
SEO-friendly content: By digging into the right keywords and building a logical content structure, they boost your odds of attracting visitors who are actually interested in what you offer.
Email campaigns: Upgrading your email strategy with segmentation and personalisation can convert curious onlookers into paying customers.
In short, if you’ve been scattering your efforts without tangible outcomes, it might be time to work with a group that knows how to turn random experiments into measurable wins.
Sometimes you post daily on social media but don’t see a single lead walk through your (virtual) door. Or maybe you’ve tried email campaigns only to watch open rates flatline. An experienced digital marketing agency can pinpoint overlooked opportunities and show you how to energise your current channels, ensuring every effort counts toward real results.
Social media marketing: Tired of shouting into the void? Specialists can craft posts, manage paid ads, and grow your follower base with a systematic plan.
SEO-friendly content: By digging into the right keywords and building a logical content structure, they boost your odds of attracting visitors who are actually interested in what you offer.
Email campaigns: Upgrading your email strategy with segmentation and personalisation can convert curious onlookers into paying customers.
In short, if you’ve been scattering your efforts without tangible outcomes, it might be time to work with a group that knows how to turn random experiments into measurable wins.
4. Help you get the best ROI
A top reason to hire an agency is its knack for delivering tangible outcomes without draining your resources. They’re experts in negotiating ad rates and allocating budgets in ways that lead to better returns. They can also help you set realistic targets—known as key performance indicators (KPIs)—and give you consistent updates (monthly or quarterly) on how campaigns are performing.
Seeing these progress reports is like getting a regular check-up for your marketing: you find out which areas are robust and which ones need fine-tuning. If your SEO is firing on all cylinders but your PPC is lagging, you’ll know exactly where to make adjustments and how to tweak the numbers for a stronger performance overall.
A top reason to hire an agency is its knack for delivering tangible outcomes without draining your resources. They’re experts in negotiating ad rates and allocating budgets in ways that lead to better returns. They can also help you set realistic targets—known as key performance indicators (KPIs)—and give you consistent updates (monthly or quarterly) on how campaigns are performing.
Seeing these progress reports is like getting a regular check-up for your marketing: you find out which areas are robust and which ones need fine-tuning. If your SEO is firing on all cylinders but your PPC is lagging, you’ll know exactly where to make adjustments and how to tweak the numbers for a stronger performance overall.
5. Keep you updated with new ideas
Being an authority in your field doesn’t guarantee you’re on top of every twist in digital marketing. Platforms and trends move faster than your favourite series’ plot twists. Bringing an agency on board means you tap into a steady flow of fresh perspectives—ranging from website tweaks and new email strategies to inventive approaches for improving sales interactions. These ongoing updates can amplify your engagement without piling more on your plate.
For instance, a web development pro might analyse user interactions to see where site visitors are dropping off. Then they can adjust your interface or user flow to steer visitors towards a purchase. Similarly, an email marketing specialist can introduce automation workflows that segment your audience, ensuring each message lands exactly where it’s most likely to spark a response.
Being an authority in your field doesn’t guarantee you’re on top of every twist in digital marketing. Platforms and trends move faster than your favourite series’ plot twists. Bringing an agency on board means you tap into a steady flow of fresh perspectives—ranging from website tweaks and new email strategies to inventive approaches for improving sales interactions. These ongoing updates can amplify your engagement without piling more on your plate.
For instance, a web development pro might analyse user interactions to see where site visitors are dropping off. Then they can adjust your interface or user flow to steer visitors towards a purchase. Similarly, an email marketing specialist can introduce automation workflows that segment your audience, ensuring each message lands exactly where it’s most likely to spark a response.
6. Allow you to experiment
Experimentation can be nerve-racking (and expensive) when you’re on your own. One benefit of partnering with an agency is having a safety net of experienced individuals who’ve tested strategies in countless contexts. If you’re curious about rolling out a new social platform or testing short-form video ads, it’s far less risky with an agency that already knows the pitfalls and best approaches.
If you decide that a certain channel or strategy isn’t panning out, your agency can pivot quickly, sparing you from funnelling too much time or money into a dead-end campaign. This level of flexibility and quick response can be vital for a small or midsize business that can’t afford to sink resources into trial and error.
Experimentation can be nerve-racking (and expensive) when you’re on your own. One benefit of partnering with an agency is having a safety net of experienced individuals who’ve tested strategies in countless contexts. If you’re curious about rolling out a new social platform or testing short-form video ads, it’s far less risky with an agency that already knows the pitfalls and best approaches.
If you decide that a certain channel or strategy isn’t panning out, your agency can pivot quickly, sparing you from funnelling too much time or money into a dead-end campaign. This level of flexibility and quick response can be vital for a small or midsize business that can’t afford to sink resources into trial and error.
7. It can be your one-stop shop
A full-service digital marketing agency covers every base under one roof. At FOR® Agency, for example, you’d find people who can plan your campaign, create compelling content, optimise SEO, manage paid advertising, and tackle web development. That way, you’re not juggling multiple freelancers or staff members and dealing with the headache of stitching everyone’s contributions into one coherent plan. It’s like trading a chaotic group chat for a focused, single-team conversation—far simpler to manage and much less stress.
Every day, consumers are bombarded with advertisements. Capturing their attention means you need to be strategic, not merely loud. By coordinating everything from ad design to social media posts to audience analytics, agencies streamline the process. They’ll pin down your target demographic and figure out how to get your message across effectively—whether it’s through an eye-catching Instagram reel or a well-placed Google search ad.
A full-service digital marketing agency covers every base under one roof. At FOR® Agency, for example, you’d find people who can plan your campaign, create compelling content, optimise SEO, manage paid advertising, and tackle web development. That way, you’re not juggling multiple freelancers or staff members and dealing with the headache of stitching everyone’s contributions into one coherent plan. It’s like trading a chaotic group chat for a focused, single-team conversation—far simpler to manage and much less stress.
Every day, consumers are bombarded with advertisements. Capturing their attention means you need to be strategic, not merely loud. By coordinating everything from ad design to social media posts to audience analytics, agencies streamline the process. They’ll pin down your target demographic and figure out how to get your message across effectively—whether it’s through an eye-catching Instagram reel or a well-placed Google search ad.
8. Help make sense of data and tracking
Let’s face it: collecting data is one thing; knowing what to do with it is another. Digital marketing agencies bring the right analytics tools and the expertise to interpret them accurately. Rather than sifting through columns of statistics alone, you’ll receive concise, actionable summaries.
Campaign conversion rates: Which ads or emails brought in actual customers?
Website behaviour: How many people visited your site, and where did they drop off?
Social media performance: Who’s engaging with your posts, and is that traffic leading anywhere valuable?
With this overview, you can make confident choices about which strategies to keep, which to scale, and which ones to scrap. Plus, agencies typically have someone on hand who can quickly navigate changes in data-collection regulations or platform rules, saving you hours of self-study.
Let’s face it: collecting data is one thing; knowing what to do with it is another. Digital marketing agencies bring the right analytics tools and the expertise to interpret them accurately. Rather than sifting through columns of statistics alone, you’ll receive concise, actionable summaries.
Campaign conversion rates: Which ads or emails brought in actual customers?
Website behaviour: How many people visited your site, and where did they drop off?
Social media performance: Who’s engaging with your posts, and is that traffic leading anywhere valuable?
With this overview, you can make confident choices about which strategies to keep, which to scale, and which ones to scrap. Plus, agencies typically have someone on hand who can quickly navigate changes in data-collection regulations or platform rules, saving you hours of self-study.
9. Spend your budget wisely
Covering salaries, benefits, and software for an in-house marketing team can quickly eat into your bottom line. An agency, however, consolidates a range of specialisms under one roof, meaning you only pay for the expertise you need, when you need it. No unnecessary overhead and no pricey tool subscriptions that go underutilised like SEO trackers, competitive analysis software, and advanced PPC management tools. An agency often has these platforms ready to go, meaning you effectively share the cost with other clients rather than shouldering it alone. They also know how to squeeze the most out of these tools and increase conversion—no more paying for shiny add-ons you don’t actually use.
Covering salaries, benefits, and software for an in-house marketing team can quickly eat into your bottom line. An agency, however, consolidates a range of specialisms under one roof, meaning you only pay for the expertise you need, when you need it. No unnecessary overhead and no pricey tool subscriptions that go underutilised like SEO trackers, competitive analysis software, and advanced PPC management tools. An agency often has these platforms ready to go, meaning you effectively share the cost with other clients rather than shouldering it alone. They also know how to squeeze the most out of these tools and increase conversion—no more paying for shiny add-ons you don’t actually use.
10. Save your time
Many business founders already wear multiple hats: head of operations, product development, sales, and sometimes even customer service. Adding “marketing guru” to that list is a recipe for burnout. Handing off your online campaigns to an agency frees up your schedule for the tasks you genuinely enjoy or excel at.
PPC: Instead of keeping track of daily bids and keywords, let the specialists handle it.
Graphic design: Instead of fumbling through tutorials to create half-decent visuals, rely on professionals for polished, consistent branding.
An agency handles these specialised tasks every day, so they move faster and with more confidence than someone who’s juggling 10 other roles.
Many business founders already wear multiple hats: head of operations, product development, sales, and sometimes even customer service. Adding “marketing guru” to that list is a recipe for burnout. Handing off your online campaigns to an agency frees up your schedule for the tasks you genuinely enjoy or excel at.
PPC: Instead of keeping track of daily bids and keywords, let the specialists handle it.
Graphic design: Instead of fumbling through tutorials to create half-decent visuals, rely on professionals for polished, consistent branding.
An agency handles these specialised tasks every day, so they move faster and with more confidence than someone who’s juggling 10 other roles.
When is the right time to hire a digital marketing agency?
Knowing the benefits is one thing. Pinpointing the moment to bring in outside expertise is another. If any of the following scenarios sound familiar, it might be time for a helping hand.
Struggling to attract the right audience
If potential customers have never heard of you—and your leads and sales are barely trickling in—an agency can shine a light on your brand. Through targeted ads, strategic social posts, and search-friendly content, they’ll ensure the right people finally catch sight of your offerings.
Lack of expertise
Nobody’s an expert at everything. You might be brilliant at product design or customer service but feel out of your depth with analytics or copywriting. Outsourcing is a normal part of business (think HR or logistics), so it makes sense to do the same with marketing. Agencies help you define your audience, tighten your message, and stay consistent across channels.
Inconsistent branding
Got a random tagline on your website and a different vibe on social media? That can confuse potential customers. Marketing specialists will straighten out your brand presentation, ensuring people instantly recognise you, whether they’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, or your homepage.
Limited budget
A tight budget might tempt you to handle marketing yourself, but that approach can backfire. If your campaigns aren’t effective, you could burn through money with little return. Agencies can work within your cost constraints, focusing on the methods that give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Swamped by marketing demands
Even if you craft great taglines, you still have a business to run. When your to-do list starts looking like a scroll that’s a mile long, it’s probably wise to pass some tasks along. A capable agency can juggle the daily details—like implementing a marketing strategy, scheduling posts or refining ads—so you can get back to the big-picture responsibilities only you can handle.
Knowing the benefits is one thing. Pinpointing the moment to bring in outside expertise is another. If any of the following scenarios sound familiar, it might be time for a helping hand.
Struggling to attract the right audience
If potential customers have never heard of you—and your leads and sales are barely trickling in—an agency can shine a light on your brand. Through targeted ads, strategic social posts, and search-friendly content, they’ll ensure the right people finally catch sight of your offerings.
Lack of expertise
Nobody’s an expert at everything. You might be brilliant at product design or customer service but feel out of your depth with analytics or copywriting. Outsourcing is a normal part of business (think HR or logistics), so it makes sense to do the same with marketing. Agencies help you define your audience, tighten your message, and stay consistent across channels.
Inconsistent branding
Got a random tagline on your website and a different vibe on social media? That can confuse potential customers. Marketing specialists will straighten out your brand presentation, ensuring people instantly recognise you, whether they’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, or your homepage.
Limited budget
A tight budget might tempt you to handle marketing yourself, but that approach can backfire. If your campaigns aren’t effective, you could burn through money with little return. Agencies can work within your cost constraints, focusing on the methods that give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Swamped by marketing demands
Even if you craft great taglines, you still have a business to run. When your to-do list starts looking like a scroll that’s a mile long, it’s probably wise to pass some tasks along. A capable agency can juggle the daily details—like implementing a marketing strategy, scheduling posts or refining ads—so you can get back to the big-picture responsibilities only you can handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a digital marketing agency?
Partnering with a digital marketing agency means they customise their approach to match your goals. They research your target market, design messages that stick, and track performance—think clicks, conversions, and overall return on investment. Essentially, you cut out the guesswork and see exactly which efforts are paying off, so you can put your budget behind what truly moves the needle.
How to know if a marketing agency is good?
A few things to consider:
Relevant industry experience: Have they worked with brands like yours before?
Company culture: Do their work habits align with your style?
Timeline and budget: Will they deliver on time without blowing your budget?
Proposals and ideas: Are they suggesting practical, well-researched plans?
Toolset and resources: Do they have the right software and expertise?
Brand understanding: Do they make an effort to grasp your product or service?
Methodology: Are their processes transparent and easy to follow?
Proven track record: Look at testimonials, case studies, or references.
Is it worth hiring a digital marketing agency?
Yes. An agency saves you from having to generate and optimise every piece of content yourself, which can free you to focus on the broader goals of your business. Professionals bring experience in various channels—social, email, PPC, SEO—so you won’t be reinventing the wheel each time you try something new.
Final thoughts
A digital marketing agency is like your backstage crew: they’re the ones finessing your SEO, juggling social ads, and making sure each campaign sings—while you stay focused on steering the ship. It can also be easier on your wallet than employing a full in-house team, especially once you add up the hefty fees for advanced marketing tools and analytics platforms.
Then again, digital success is more a marathon than a quick sprint. Be wary of any promises to catapult you to stardom overnight—true growth usually takes time, and that’s no bad thing. If you feel your brand could use a boost from folks who blend creative spark with practical know-how, consider bringing on a dedicated partner. You might just find that steady, thoughtful progress ultimately gets you further than any flashy shortcut ever could.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a digital marketing agency?
Partnering with a digital marketing agency means they customise their approach to match your goals. They research your target market, design messages that stick, and track performance—think clicks, conversions, and overall return on investment. Essentially, you cut out the guesswork and see exactly which efforts are paying off, so you can put your budget behind what truly moves the needle.
How to know if a marketing agency is good?
A few things to consider:
Relevant industry experience: Have they worked with brands like yours before?
Company culture: Do their work habits align with your style?
Timeline and budget: Will they deliver on time without blowing your budget?
Proposals and ideas: Are they suggesting practical, well-researched plans?
Toolset and resources: Do they have the right software and expertise?
Brand understanding: Do they make an effort to grasp your product or service?
Methodology: Are their processes transparent and easy to follow?
Proven track record: Look at testimonials, case studies, or references.
Is it worth hiring a digital marketing agency?
Yes. An agency saves you from having to generate and optimise every piece of content yourself, which can free you to focus on the broader goals of your business. Professionals bring experience in various channels—social, email, PPC, SEO—so you won’t be reinventing the wheel each time you try something new.
Final thoughts
A digital marketing agency is like your backstage crew: they’re the ones finessing your SEO, juggling social ads, and making sure each campaign sings—while you stay focused on steering the ship. It can also be easier on your wallet than employing a full in-house team, especially once you add up the hefty fees for advanced marketing tools and analytics platforms.
Then again, digital success is more a marathon than a quick sprint. Be wary of any promises to catapult you to stardom overnight—true growth usually takes time, and that’s no bad thing. If you feel your brand could use a boost from folks who blend creative spark with practical know-how, consider bringing on a dedicated partner. You might just find that steady, thoughtful progress ultimately gets you further than any flashy shortcut ever could.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
FOR® Industries
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
hel@for.co
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®