Long ago, marketing was all about banners and posters dotting the city. TV commercials and flyers added to the marketing drive to become known and spread the word. However, with the expansion of the internet, the definition of marketing has significantly altered to welcome electronic efforts of spreading the word.
About 76% of the individuals also think that marketing has drastically changed. They agree that it has changed the most in the past two years than it has over in the past fifty years. Over 3.5 billion searches are conducted on Google every day, explaining the wide use of the Internet.
It only makes sense that your business taps into an increased audience via the online sphere. On top of that, mobile marketing is on the rise as well with eMarketer anticipating 72% of the digital ads to be run on mobile devices by 2019.
There’s no denying that the face of marketing has significantly changed. The real question is how you can harness its potential to your advantage? The answer simple – seek professional help by hiring a local web marketing company.
Working with local web marketing services comes with merits as well as drawbacks. So without further ado, let’s discuss some of the ayes and nays of working with the local e-marketing team:
Advantages of hiring a local web marketing company:
A local internet marketing company offers several merits including in-person discussion of creative briefs, ample local market knowledge, and solid grip on local SEO tactics. Let’s dive into these advantages:
- Affords in-person meetings
Working with a local company gives you the benefit of having local meetings with the team, allowing you to go through the marketing campaigns and plans thoroughly. A Forbes Insights Study ranks face-to-face meetings over virtual conversations.
The study reveals that 87% of the business executives think that the benefits of in-person meeting outweigh the costs of technological meeting alternatives. Strong communication promotes better planning for your marketing endeavors, therefore, adding to the advantages of working with a local company.
- Extensive knowledge of the market
If you visit a country where you have never been before, you first move is to get in touch with a local tour guide. The reasoning is pretty simple. The local guide knows the nooks and crannies of the place, its customs, its specialties, and so on.
This applies to marketing as well. A local company is familiar with the ins and outs of the market. To tap into a market, you need to first know it well, which is why market research is crucial and a local web marketing company can be beneficial to work with.
- Strong grip on local SEO
BrightLocal outlines that 86% of the folks rely on the internet to find a local business. Moreover, 29% of the consumers look up local businesses at least once a week. This makes it crystal clear that you need to invest in local search engine optimization (SEO) for your business.
There is no one who better understands local SEO then a local web marketing company. Paired with their in-depth knowledge of the local market, such professionals can substantially help promote your venture. They can also help you target geo-locations by employing localized content to improve your company’s online ranking.
Disadvantages of hiring a local web marketing company
A few drawbacks also accompany local e-marketing firms. These include the availability of only local talent, the possibility of finite experience in your niche market, and hefty expenses. Mentioned below are each of these demerits:
- Limited talent pool
Working with a local e-marketing venture means that you are limiting your marketing efforts by working with local people only. Talent and creativity know no borders or visa restrictions. These two components are essential players when it comes to marketing.
Let’s take Red Bull as an example here. The brand does an excellent job with its global marketing so much so that numerous Americans assume that it is a local company. However, Red Bull is Austrian by origin. Essentially, it’s their marketing message brought forth by creative people from several countries working with Red Bull.
- May have limited experience in your niche
Depending on your location, it is possible that the local e-marketing company that you are working with does not offer services in your niche. For your business to succeed, it is crucial that you target the audience.
In doing so, you may have to narrow down the local marketing to reach your ideal clients. However, if a company that promises to bring your product or service to the notice of your clients knows nothing or only has meager information cannot help you much. This reduces the return on investment (ROI) that you expect. In contrast, a global web marketing company that offers services in your niche can help you better.
- High costs of hiring a local marketing company
It is also possible the local companies turn out to be costly owing to the high tax rates and other governmental charges within your state. For those who are on a shoestring budget, hiring such professionals can be out of the question.
Those who can invest, expect tangible results. In that case, it all boils down to how good the local marketing company is, how talented its team members are, and whether they provide services in your niche industry.
Take home message
Working with other people can be challenging, especially, if you fail to find the right talent that you are looking for or you end up working with people who aren’t as passionate about your business’s growth as you are.
Therefore, take your time when searching for the best marketing company to work with, weigh all the positives and negatives, and call the shots only when you are fully satisfied.