Digital Marketing FAQ – What to do When a Marketing Company Salesperson Visits You
When a marketing company approaches you, they will likely highlight every flaw in your current strategy and promise to transform your results. But how can you separate empty promises from genuine opportunities that truly benefit your business?
Table of Contents
In this guide, we expose the critical questions you must ask and the warning signs to watch for when dealing with marketing companies. The second part of this series will examine the contract pitfalls that could tie your hands and harm your business.
1. Who is Visiting Your Company?
Is this person a seasoned digital marketing expert or just a salesperson chasing a commission?
Many large digital marketing firms deploy sales teams that are driven by quotas, not expertise. These salespeople often lack the deep understanding needed to provide you with meaningful advice or to properly explain the data they present.
You need to speak with a true digital marketing expert—someone who will invest time in learning about your products and goals over multiple meetings, rather than rushing to close a deal.
To further understand the difference between a genuine marketing partner and a superficial service provider, check out these articles:
- The Two Types of Marketing Companies
- What’s the Difference Between a Web Design Company and a Marketing Company?
2. Is the Contract Tailored to Your Company?
Are you handed a generic contract, or does the company invest time in understanding your specific needs?
A one-size-fits-all contract presented during or after a single meeting should be a red flag. Effective digital marketing requires a deep understanding of your business, including your products, goals, and the competitive landscape. Only then can a company develop a strategy that’s genuinely tailored to your success.
Your business is unique, and you deserve a custom solution—not a cookie-cutter approach. Insist on a detailed discussion based on thorough research before any contracts are drafted.
In part two of this series, we’ll uncover specific traps hidden in contracts, like charges for essential items such as HTTPS certificates—fees that should not appear as separate line items.
3. Is There a New Content Plan for Your Website?
Does the contract include a plan for fresh, high-quality content, or are they just reselling your existing material?
Google’s algorithm values content above all else. If a company suggests that your website’s design is the issue but plans to reuse your old content, be wary. This approach ignores the fact that it’s the quality of content that drives search engine rankings, not just aesthetics.
High-quality, human-written content is non-negotiable. Don’t settle for anything less. Meet with their content writers, review samples of their work, and ensure that all content for English-language websites is created by native English speakers. Translated content won’t cut it if you’re aiming to attract international clients.
For more on why content is critical to your website’s success, read this article:
4. Will They Work with Your Competitors?
Does the company agree not to serve your competitors, or are they double-dipping in your industry?
In Taiwan, it’s alarmingly common for digital marketing firms to work with multiple companies within the same industry. This is a major conflict of interest. How can they claim to promote your business when they’re also working for your competitors?
When companies work for multiple clients in the same sector, the highest bidders get the best keywords, and you might find yourself paying more just to keep up. Worse, your confidential data might end up in your competitor’s hands.
At Globalsense, we refuse to work with your competitors. We believe in transparent, ethical business practices that protect your interests.
Learn more about the risks of working with the same marketing firm as your competitors:
5. What Will Happen If You Do Not Continue to Use Their Services?
Will you own your website, or will they hold it hostage?
Your contract must clearly state that you own all the assets you pay for—code, design, photos, and videos. Some companies design websites in ways that only they can maintain, trapping you into their services and making it costly to leave. This is a serious business risk.
Demand transparency and ensure you maintain control over your website and its assets. Avoid companies that try to tie you down with restrictive practices.
6. What Do Existing Customers Think of Them?
Have you taken the time to independently verify their reputation?
Don’t rely on the references provided by the salesperson—they’re likely pre-screened and biased. Instead, take the initiative. Visit the websites they’ve worked on, and contact those businesses directly. Ask them about their experiences with the company.
Google reviews can be helpful, but be cautious of fake reviews. Industry associations can also be a valuable resource—reach out to fellow members to gather honest feedback.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right digital marketing partner is a critical decision, especially if digital marketing isn’t your area of expertise. Don’t rush. Do your research, ask tough questions, and be skeptical of easy answers.
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