How to build a productive relationship with your agency

While your business may be ready to launch online, you may not have the experience, knowledge or skill to create an effective website that appeals to your target market and presents your goals in the best way possible online. So, once you’re ready to launch an eCommerce business, the next step for you may be to find a reliable eCommerce agency.

Today, there are thousands of eCommerce agencies available. However, not all of them will suit your specific objectives. Therefore, you have to consider several factors when choosing one. Not doing so, can lead to many valuable hours and money lost.

Choosing the wrong agency can also lead to a poor working relationship which will reduce your chances greatly to achieve your online goals. But how can you avoid this and how can you build a productive relationship with your agency?

How to choose the right eCommerce agency

An eCommerce agency is a company that partners with your business to help you achieve your goals by finding unique digital solutions. Agencies achieve this through the strategic use of innovative development and marketing services.

You can easily learn how to choose the best eCommerce development agency by using three points as you research different companies. These include:

Considering your objectives

You must find an agency that matches your unique businesses goals and aims. This can include:

Web development
The first step to take your business online is through eCommerce website development. Therefore, you require an agency that can assist with:

• Creating an effective eCommerce strategy
• Advising on the right eCommerce platform for your business
• Assisting with content, SEO and analytics
• Helping with website maintenance and product data management

Marketing
Having a great eCommerce site is not enough. Your agency should also assist you in creating a powerful marketing strategy. This can include:

• Strong site optimization
• Valuable content
• Effective and consistent branding
• Social media marketing
• Email marketing
• Paid search marketing

One of the best ways to find a company that can assist with these business goals is to look at their experience. Ask questions such as:

• Have they worked with businesses similar to yours?
• What was the outcome?
• What was the feedback from the businesses?

Reviews and portfolios can be very useful in finding out what type of experience a company has.

eCommerce Strategy
Every business has a unique eCommerce strategy structured to achieve its goals and improve its position in the market. This strategy can be seen as the roadmap your business will follow that outlines every marketing direction you’ll take. An eCommerce strategy can include the following aspects:

The sales approach
Your business can consider a single or omnichannel commerce strategy. This determines the customer experience and how your customers will shop online; whether from a mobile device, a laptop, tablet, etc.

Online marketplaces
Online marketplaces are used to connect sellers with buyers and facilitate shopping from many different sources. Your strategy can include how you will use these marketplaces to streamline the buying process for customers.

Fulfillment methods
Your business should decide how it wants to fulfill orders. This can be done through in-house order fulfillment, third-party fulfillment or drop-shipping.

Investing into various integrations
Integration is the coordination between your eCommerce site and other data systems, bringing them together for two-way flow of information. This improves operational efficiency.

Considering agency rates

You may think that as a new eCommerce business, you shouldn’t spend too much on the web development or marketing strategies of your business. But this can be detrimental to the future success of your business.

It is important to realize that choosing the correct agency is an investment. It will reduce the chances of failures and issues that need to be addressed in the future – and cost you more money.

When considering a company, you have to confirm if they understand how your business wants to serve a specific audience and their set of needs. They should also be able to take the initiative to suggest ideas, advice against potential obstacles and be willing to educate you as the client.

Considering their approach

Not all clients and agencies are meant to work together. Agencies follow their own unique approach to development and marketing. It is essential to understand this method before going with a specific company.

Some agencies follow an approach of long-term relationships, while others have a shorter, once-off method. Your goals for your new online business will determine which is best for you.

Once you are ready to choose an eCommerce consultancy, you have to start building a productive relationship. This will allow you to identify the core metrics you need to grow your eCommerce business and to increase leads, sales and revenue consistently.

How to build a productive relationship

• Do your homework: Before your agency starts any work, there is some homework you must prepare on your side:
  You should draft a high-level plan that focuses on establishing your project’s requirements and deliverables, and establish how you will track this over time. This will help you and the team to create a roadmap that will guide the project’s deadlines, progress and outcomes.

• Communication guidelines: Communication is key when it comes to working relationships. Therefore, your agency must provide you with guidelines around their communication approach with your eCommerce consultant. They have to confirm when and how they will communicate with you, who will be your point-of-contact and if support is included.

• Set expectations early on: There need to be certain boundaries in place to ensure both parties know exactly what is expected from them. This can include decisions made, changes implemented and any adjustments to budgets.

• Build a win-win relationship: Working together well will ensure a positive outcome in the future. Building a win-win relationship for both parties involves them being willing to educate and showing empathy, while you should always be clear about your goals and transparent about your concerns.

Choose an agency that matches your goals

Choosing the right agency will give you the support you need to create an eCommerce strategy and build a website that reflects your goals, attract the right audience and help you to jump ahead of your competitors. Use this guide to do the research you need to vet the right agency and to build a relationship that can continue for many years.

‍