With the right knowledge, you can save time and money by working with a professional that fits seamlessly into your team.

Businesses are constantly on the lookout for ways to cut costs, increase revenues, and scale more quickly. One of the most sought-after solutions that startups are turning to is outsourcing. However, with so many options out there it can be hard to know which strategy will work best for your business.

You can outsource a wide variety of activities, from social media management and email campaigns to content creation and web design. But how do you know if an agency is right for you? It’s not as simple as reading their online profile.

Here’s our guide on what you should look for when outsourcing your marketing:

Experience and Expertise in the Field
The first thing you need to look at is an agency’s experience with your industry. Does their portfolio reflect their expertise in the field you are looking to get into?

Oftentimes, agencies will boast about awards they have received or high-profile clients they have worked for. Although these things are impressive, awards mean little unless the agency knew how to effectively target, reach, and communicate with your audience.

If they have worked for a client similar to you, try to find references and talk with them directly about their experience. Did they feel the agency truly understood their brand and business? Can they point out a few case studies where the agency really made an impact on their sales, traffic, or social media following?

These case studies should paint a clear picture of how effective the agency is on your industry, and if they can meet or exceed the results you’re looking for. If not, keep shopping.

Look For a Company That Has Worked with Companies Similar in Size to Yours
You want to make sure that the agency you choose has worked with similar-sized companies in your industry. When an agency works with startups or smaller businesses, they can charge lower rates and offer a wider variety of services since their overhead does not need to be as large. However, if you work with a larger agency, you are paying for their expertise, time, and skills. This is not to say that large agencies are better than small ones. The key is to find a company that can adapt and evolves with your business needs without breaking the bank.

Flexibility and Adaptability
As an entrepreneur, you are constantly changing and evolving your business strategy. It’s important to find an agency that can be flexible with you as well.

If you are looking to outsource your social media marketing, for example, you need an agency that can be agile in their approach. If you need to scale your content marketing strategy, can your agency do it without disrupting their workflow?

This is why Talent and Resources are critical. If you work with a company that has extra resources and tools available to them, they can quickly adapt to changing market dynamics.

Reviews, Testimonials, and Recommendations
Although word-of-mouth recommendations are the best way to find an agency, it’s helpful if they have an online presence. Most good agencies will have a website, blog, or social media profiles that show case their work and experience in the industry.

Take a look at these profiles and see what they have to say about their company, but don’t forget to do a Google search as well. Many agencies have a Facebook page or Instagram account that showcases their work and allows people to leave reviews, testimonials, and recommendations for others to see.
This will help you understand what kind of reputation the company has in the industry and whether or not they have a history of success. If they have been mentioned in a few industry publications or have worked with companies that you know, take a few minutes to read what they have to say.

Agency Location
Although an agency’s location may not affect your work directly, it helps to make sure you are working with a company that has experience in your area. For example, if you are a local business in the United States targeting other US-based businesses, it’s important to find an agency based in the US as well. If you need to talk with your agency’s team via Skype or Google Hangouts, will they have smooth communication and sound like they actually live in the US? If you are a UK-based business and need to work with an agency that is on your side of the pond, what are the costs associated with that? Is it worth working with an agency located in Singapore or Australia if they can close deals for you that other agencies cannot?

Consider Your Budget
As with most things, you get what you pay for. If an agency is offering the exact same services as their competitor, but at a much lower price, it’s wise to be cautious. Sometimes the cheapest option ends up being more expensive in the long run, so choose your agency carefully. The last thing you want to do is hire an agency, only for them to disappear after the first month or not meet your expectations. Don’t jump the gun and pay more for a better agency that can get you long-term results. Also, don’t hire someone who is not experienced just to save a little money.