By now, you probably know all of the reasons why you should hire an Amazon agency. When looking for an amazon marketing agency, brands should know what to look for. Choosing an agency is an important decision, therefore, brands should understand and prepare for the process of sorting through the options.
Not all agencies are the same. Some only specialize in certain industries, product types, and services, while others assist all industries with all aspects of selling on Amazon. This blog will help you determine what you’re looking for and determine which agency or consultant will best suit your needs.
Consider your needs
Like all big projects, you must first prepare from the beginning. Your first step is to make a list of the specific needs of your company. Consider your short and long term goals as they relate to Amazon. Do you want to increase your margins by a certain amount, improve ad performance, or increase the number of sales? The number of potential Amazon goals are countless. When Creating these goals, make sure to use key performance indicators (KPIs) to make the goals more concrete.
After deciding what your goals are, try to determine which services will help you reach your goals. It’s okay if you aren’t sure, that’s what agencies are for. Some of the most popular Amazon consultant services include running Amazon advertising campaigns, optimizing listings, and protecting brands against unauthorized sellers and counterfeits. Each service may align with a different goal, but they all have the same general effect on your business: increase sales.
Research their capabilities
After you’ve determined what you’re looking for, it’s time to find some agencies. There are hundreds of agencies and consultants out there but only a few may meet your requirements. This is because different agencies may have different skills, capabilities, and credentials. Some specialize in only a few aspects of eCommerce, like Amazon advertising agencies or inventory planning agencies, while others act as one-stop-shops with many different services. Not only that, but some only cater to niche industries, like industrial or fitness. Researching your options is vital to narrow down your list of agencies.
Learning about agencies by asking them questions and checking out their websites is important. But something equally as important is taking a look at their whitepapers, previous clients, and their listings. Find out who their previous and current clients are and note how well they are doing on Amazon. If you notice their clients aren’t doing well, then move onto the next agency. Also, pay attention to the industries their clients are in. If they are in the same industry as you, then they may have extra valuable insights. When it comes to agencies, you need to see their actual work, not just what they say about their work. We created a spreadsheet you may find useful below.
Ask them the right questions
There is only so much research you can do online. You’ll need to ask your potential agencies specific questions to understand the pros and cons of each of them. Prepare for these important conversations by coming up with questions that align with your business goals. For example, some agencies will do the work for you, while others will do the work and train you on how to it. This is an important consideration because some brands plan on developing their own in-house Amazon team.
Asking questions regarding this topic may be a wise choice before choosing your Amazon marketing agency. Some more valuable questions may revolve around strengths & weaknesses, the size of the agency, and service specialties. But possibly the most important thing for you to know is how much experience the agency has with your needs. The downloadable document above has some thought-provoking questions you should consider asking.
Using a spreadsheet will help you keep track of your options. We created a free spreadsheet to help you keep track of what agencies you’re considering. The document also has some important questions you should consider asking the agencies on your list.
Fill out the short form below to download our Amazon Agency Guide!
Next steps
Working with an agency may be the right choice if you expect more online sales or you’re short-staffed. Consider Retail Bloom your first option, we have years of experience and our staff has completed multiple Amazon accreditation courses. We’re a one-stop-shop for brands interested in expanding their reach on Amazon. Contact us today to learn more.
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