Handling digital marketing in-house seems like a cost-saving tactic for many Singapore businesses. But stretching your team too thin can result in mediocre results and wasted time.
How do you know when it’s the right time to hand over the reins to an expert digital marketing agency? After consulting with dozens of businesses across industries, I’ve observed 10 common signs indicating you’ll benefit from outsourced support.
You Don’t Have the Expertise In-House
Digital marketing encompasses many complex disciplines – SEO, PPC, social media marketing, conversion rate optimisation, email marketing, and more. Very few businesses have deeply skilled specialists in each area to fully optimise their online presence. Outsourcing fills expertise gaps.
If your current team lacks advanced skills in key areas, bringing on an agency provides seasoned professionals dedicated to driving results for your business. Their expertise takes performance to the next level.
Campaigns Lack Strategy & Consistency
Effective digital marketing requires an overarching strategy with cohesive campaigns across channels. Tactics should work together to achieve your goals versus operating in silos.
When current efforts feel disjointed or tactical, it may signal the need for an outside perspective. An agency helps develop an integrated strategy tying everything together. Their coordinated approach boosts impact.
Converting Traffic into Leads is a Struggle
You may drive traffic to your site, but face challenges converting visitors into leads and customers. Conversion rate optimization is an art and science that demands specialisation.
Leveraging an agency’s expertise in landing page design, lead gen forms, and sales funnels provides the skills to turn traffic into tangible results. Aligning your customer journey with business goals takes finesse.
Lack of Visibility for Long-Tail Keywords
Focusing only on high-volume keywords is a common SEO mistake. Long-tail keywords with lower search volume collectively drive significant traffic. However, optimising for them requires time and effort.
If your content only targets head terms, partnering with an SEO agency provides bandwidth to extend reach with tightly focused, long-tail keywords. Their expertise expands visibility.
Google Algorithm Updates Cause Declines
Google’s algorithms shift constantly, sometimes causing rapid declines in rankings and traffic if you aren’t prepared. Having resources to monitor and quickly adapt is key.
Outsourcing to an agency with dedicated resources for algorithm monitoring provides a safety net. Their technical knowledge helps minimise losses and regain rankings.
Difficulty Creating Quality Content
Regular, engaging content is the fuel for digital marketing success. But producing enough high-quality content strains most in-house teams.
Bringing on an agency with professional writers who understand optimising content for conversions and SEO is a smart solution. Make sure they understand your voice and industry.
Accumulating Technical Website Issues
As your website evolves, it’s common for technical problems like site speed, broken links, indexing errors, etc. to pile up. However, most businesses lack the technical SEO expertise to address them.
Ad Spend Exceeds Expected Returns
Pouring more budget into paid ads without results suggests poor campaign optimization. Professional management realigns spending to profitable outcomes.
By outsourcing ads to an agency, you gain PPC experts to refine targeting, creative, and bidding strategies for maximising your ROI. Their analytical approach improves efficiency.
Falling Behind the Competition
If competitors seem to be pulling ahead in organic and paid search results, it may be time for outside help to close gaps and gain an edge.
A data-driven agency analyses the market landscape and your competitors’ strategies to inform better positioning. They’ll develop plans to outperform rivals.
Lack of Analytics Tracking & Insights
Are you flying blind without proper analytics implementation to measure marketing performance? Clean, well-analysed data is vital for growth.
An agency not only tracks key metrics across platforms. It also provides strategic insights and recommendations based on the numbers. Reporting brings visibility.
Key Capabilities to Look For in a Digital Marketing Agency
Once you decide to enlist an agency, how do you select the right partner? The scope of skills needed to execute integrated digital marketing makes choosing tricky.
To find an agency equipped to meet your needs, look for these core capabilities:
In-Depth SEO Expertise – A strong understanding of both on-page and technical SEO is crucial. Seek proven experience optimising content, site architecture, page speed, local listings, and backlinks to improve organic rankings. Knowledge of Google’s shifting algorithms is also key.
PPC Prowess – Managing paid search and shopping campaigns across Google, Bing, Facebook, Instagram, and other networks requires analytical and creative chops. Look for expertise in bid management, campaign optimization, and performance analysis.
Experienced Content Marketers – Regular high-quality content that engages your audience and attracts organic traffic is essential. The team should include professional writers who know SEO, outreach, promotion, and analytics.
Website Design/Development Capabilities – A solid technical foundation enhances all marketing. Proficiency with web design, development, hosting, speed optimization, and tracking ensures your site converts.
Marketing Automation Skills – Automating workflows using ESPs like MailChimp, CRMs like HubSpot, social scheduling tools, chatbots, and more streamlined processes. Seek this expertise.
Data Analysis & Reporting – The ability to track KPIs, analyse performance trends, and deliver actionable insights via dashboards and reports is invaluable. Understand your ROI.
Proven Results – Most importantly, evaluate past work. Ask for case studies, before-and-after data, testimonials, and examples that demonstrate their impact. Success with similar clients indicates future success.
When these core digital marketing capabilities and more come together under one roof, you get powerful, cohesive strategies that deliver measurable growth. A skilled agency partner brings it all.
Know When to Seek an Extra Set of Hands
In today’s dynamic digital landscape, even savvy in-house marketers need support. If any of these 10 scenarios sound familiar, an outsourced digital marketing agency brings a fresh perspective to start generating better results.
Here at OOm, we’ve helped companies across Singapore regain their competitive edge online. Our holistic strategies, technical expertise, and award-winning service deliver outcomes that maximise your marketing dollars.
Ready to elevate your digital marketing? Let’s chat about your goals and how we can help take you to the next level. With a solid partner, anything is possible. Contact us to get started!
