A new year has officially started, and we’re now 16 years into the 21st century and the new millennium. Already, we’ve seen advertising changed forever as more and more marketing, branding, and public relations move online. In fact, most advertising experts agree that online advertising revenues will surpass TV advertising within the next 18 months.
So how can a Business 2 Business company keep moving forward in the new year? Most entrepreneurs and business owners are too busy running the day to day operations of their company to become an expert in B2B marketing. Of course, that’s why they hire a B2B ad agency or branding company. But how do you know you’re working with a company or public relations firm that will keep you ahead of the competition?
If you’re looking for a new B2B ad agency in 2016, then here’s what you need to look for in a winning marketing team:
- Proven Web Designers: The best B2B ad agency can also provide elite website designers. That’s because there’s been huge changes in web design over just the past two years, and if your company’s website is older than that, then you may need a massive overhaul. Do you know the various nuances of flat design, minimalist design, UX design, and parallax scrolling? If not, then your branding team should.
- Mobile Experience: If your B2B company isn’t mobile friendly and you’ve just had a disappointing year, then you’ve just discovered the reason why. Even if you don’t think mobile is an important part of your strategy, it’s become essential for success in the online space, with nearly one in two visitors to your website using a mobile device. Without a site optimized for mobile users, you’ll always be losing to mobile-first companies.
- Public Relations Strategies: There’s no shortage of hip new branding companies offering the latest bells and whistles, but you need a marketing team that takes new digital tools and combines them with time tested public relations strategies. Without experience in PR fundamentals, your online marketing efforts will have limited success.
- Streamlined Navigation: It might seem obvious, but many web designers and marketing companies are putting a renewed focus on driving web traffic to sales. Often, this means streamlining a website’s navigation to better convert online visitors into real life sales.
Finally, you’ll want to find an online marketing company that’s genuinely interested in your success, not in simply providing a one size fits all solution to your marketing needs. A startup will have totally different needs than a B2B company that’s been around long before the digital revolution. When choosing a B2B ad agency, look for a firm that knows how to meet your company’s unique needs.