​What You Do & Don't Want in a Digital Marketing Provider

QUALITY VS BUDGET VS TIME

Digital Marketing is a broad term of multiple specialties and requires a wealth of knowledge and experience. Most qualified marketers charge between $50-$100 an hour or more. For a website alone, sources suggest putting aside at least $6,500 if you expect quality work. SEO services have higher hourly rates and can range from $3,000 to $30,000 depending on scope.

However, a cursory look online will show you marketing services available at $99 or $150 or other really low rates. How is that possible? Lower rates usually mean sacrificing sacrificing quality and time. As you can see from the diagram to the right, projects focus on different priorities, like budget, but only at the sacrifice of other priorities, like time and quality.

According to Project Management Principles, the path to value comes from sacrificing some from each area, ending up in the middle, represented here by all the colors touching.

DECEPTIONS

Some marketing is offered at lower rates as a lure to attract you, but hidden fees mean you will pay more by the end to get what you expected at the lower rate. You’ll find especially cheap options on freelancer websites like Fivrr & Upwork; however, if you look deeper into what they are offering, the cheap rates are only possible with a constant flow of upsells and piece-mealing work.

For example, you might find web design for $99; however, on closer inspection, edits or functionality to make the website work requires more purchases and payments.

Regardless of the provider you choose, please dig deeper into their offerings. Ensure they meet your requirements for time, quality and budget. Compare services and prices to others and ask questions of myself and other providers to clarify any uncertainties. Don’t take the advertising at face value. Look deeper at the specifics, testimonials and at the results from previous work. Finally, be aware of cookie cutter strategies that might work for others but not for you.