As a business owner or marketer looking to grow your business online, you’ve likely considered exploring the potential of online marketing. When done well, online marketing can offer a number of benefits, such as lowering operating costs and increasing brand awareness and sales. But if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop to help you get started, you might consider searching for a Chicago online marketing consultant.
Here, we will discuss how to find the right Chicago online marketing consultant for your needs, concerns, and goals. We’ll cover everything from the basics, like what platforms they use and experience in dealing with organic searches to more specific topics, like email marketing and banner ads.
The Basics
Before taking on a consultant, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the basics down. First and foremost, you’ll want someone who is a proven expert in online marketing. While not always necessary, having a background in digital marketing is preferred as it gives you instant credibility in an online community. A good consultant should also be able to provide you with references and testimonials from previous clients. Finally, make sure to have a comprehensive list of your needs and concerns ahead of time. This will help ensure you are not wasting your time with someone who is not a good fit for the job. The following list will cover some of the most important things to look for in a Chicago online marketing consultant:
Proven Experience
One of the biggest questions you’ll want to ask about a consultant is: Does he or she have experience in online marketing? The answer to this question should be easy enough to find. Simply take a look at the consultant’s portfolio and see what previous clients have to say about their work. Ideally, you’ll want to work with someone who has been doing this for a while and has accumulated a lot of valuable experience. The more experience you have in the field, the better. This way, you’ll be able to depend on the consultant if you should experience any problems or doubts regarding the subject matter.
Familiar With Different Platforms And Technologies
Another important factor to consider is the consultant’s familiarity with different platforms and technologies. There are a number of different platforms and technologies that one could use to market a business online. It’s crucial to have someone who is familiar with all of these and can effectively use them to their advantage. A good consultant should be able to give you a rough idea of how each of these platforms and technologies work and how they can be used to drive traffic to your website. Be sure to ask about these platforms and technologies and how much experience the consultant has with them. It’s also important to find someone who is up-to-date with all the new technologies that emerge.
Knowledgeable In Email Marketing
Emails are one of the most effective forms of marketing online. Not only does it allow you to target the right audience, but it also allows you to build and nurture relationships with potential customers. One of the best things about emails is that they are pretty easy to build and nurture. All you need is an email list and a bit of ingenuity. A good email marketing consultant will be able to give you some tips on how to build and grow your email list, as well as help you use email marketing effectively. In particular, you’ll want to be sure to ask about the following:
- How does the consultant plan on building my email list?
- What strategies and tactics does the consultant use to grow and maintain my email list?
- What percentage of my email list does he or she plan on sending regular emails to?
- What tools does he or she use to send out and track marketing emails?
- How much does it cost to send out weekly emails?
- How does the consultant plan on nurturing my email list?
- What strategies and tactics does the consultant use to grow and maintain my email list?
- Which email marketing platform does he or she prefer and why?
- What is the typical subject line for an email sent by the consultant?
- What is the typical email content?
- What is the typical email body content?
- What is the best email marketing tool the consultant recommends?
Knowledgeable In SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website’s content and architecture for better search engine rankings. In short, it’s a form of online marketing that can help your website show up in search engine results for relevant searches. In some instances, SEO can also help with conversion. A good SEO consultant will be able to give you a clear idea of how SEO rankings work, how content is searched for, and what type of content is most effective in securing organic search results. Be sure to ask about the following:
- How important is it to have a keyword-rich domain name?
- What are organic searches and why are they becoming so popular?
- How does the Google keyword tool work?
- What do I need to do to get started with SEO?
- What is the typical SEO report that the consultant provides?
- What should my next step be after getting started with SEO?
The list above covers the most important things to look for in a Chicago online marketing consultant. Of course, it depends on what you’re looking for. Are you looking for someone to set you up with a simple SEO plan? Or do you need someone who can take on the whole project and oversee your website’s SEO? There’s a lot to think about when choosing a Chicago online marketing consultant, so take your time and try out several candidates before making a decision. As with any type of professional service, be sure to get references and testimonials from previous clients. Not only will this help you find someone who is more than capable of doing the job, but it’ll also help establish trustworthiness. It’s always important to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible!