Advanced Analytics or Activation: Where to Start?

They say data is the new oil. Companies want to invest in tools to activate that data and gain powerful insights that give the business a view into how and where to gain return on investments. But is it better to start with the former or the latter? Ac…

They say data is the new oil. Companies want to invest in tools to activate that data and gain powerful insights that give the business a view into how and where to gain return on investments. But is it better to start with the former or the latter? Activation or insights? There are two prominent toolkits in this space:

1. Customer data platforms (such as Adobe’s RT-CDP) for activation

2. Customer journey analytics (CJA) for insights

Surprising Digital Maturity Adoption Trends for B2B Marketing

When searching for leading examples of one-to-one marketing, experience personalization, and customer engagement channels, few would start with B2B companies. In many key areas, B2B organizations have lagged more than other business models and industri…

When searching for leading examples of one-to-one marketing, experience personalization, and customer engagement channels, few would start with B2B companies. In many key areas, B2B organizations have lagged more than other business models and industries with digital transformation maturity.

The Data Framework Needed to Power Real-time Decisioning

This is part of a series of blog posts about the Merkle Connected CX Cloud, and how this solution addresses the key use cases and most critical challenges our clients face in achieving a robust ROI from their CX technologies, practices, and strategies….

This is part of a series of blog posts about the Merkle Connected CX Cloud, and how this solution addresses the key use cases and most critical challenges our clients face in achieving a robust ROI from their CX technologies, practices, and strategies. Read part one here.

The 3 Most Effective Marketing Strategies For Ecommerce Businesses

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Ecommerce is a now a $10.56 TRILLION pie, but in order to get a slice, you need traffic. Here are the 3 b…

Having trouble viewing the text? You can always read the original article here: The 3 Most Effective Marketing Strategies For Ecommerce Businesses

Ecommerce is a now a $10.56 TRILLION pie, but in order to get a slice, you need traffic. Here are the 3 best ecommerce marketing strategies. It’s big. It’s getting bigger. And it’s why we’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years talking about ecommerce optimization. For many new and even established businesses, […]

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Last Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas for Ecommerce

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Trying to capture your share of holiday shoppers but think it’s too late? Get inspired with these last minute Holiday mark…

Having trouble viewing the text? You can always read the original article here: Last Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas for Ecommerce

Trying to capture your share of holiday shoppers but think it’s too late? Get inspired with these last minute Holiday marketing ideas for ecommerce. Attention is scarce and many brands are trying to vye for it. Most big brands start thinking about their holiday marketing ideas in March. Yes, you read it right. But if […]

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To the Bat Cave! Your Own Secret Conversion Marketing Laboratory

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Interested in setting up your own conversion marketing laboratory? Run your own secret science experiments?…

Having trouble viewing the text? You can always read the original article here: To the Bat Cave! Your Own Secret Conversion Marketing Laboratory

Interested in setting up your own conversion marketing laboratory? Run your own secret science experiments? Brian Massey, the Conversion Scientist, will tell you how. Sometimes it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission Warning: this information will make you a more successful marketer, but may also put your immediate job in jeopardy. To be a true […]

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The 20 Most Recommended AB Testing Tools By Leading CRO Experts (2021 Update)

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Which ab testing testing tools are preferred by fulltime CRO experts? These are the tools they…

Having trouble viewing the text? You can always read the original article here: The 20 Most Recommended AB Testing Tools By Leading CRO Experts (2021 Update)

Which ab testing testing tools are preferred by fulltime CRO experts? These are the tools they use to deliver results to their clients.

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Can AI Marketing Tools Increase Your Website’s Conversion Rates?

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Discover how AI marketing tools truly work and find the answer to the question: Can they really increase yo…

Having trouble viewing the text? You can always read the original article here: Can AI Marketing Tools Increase Your Website’s Conversion Rates?

Discover how AI marketing tools truly work and find the answer to the question: Can they really increase your website’s conversion rates? We may marvel that such things can be done, but we also recognize that these things require a great deal of data and the skills of some serious brainiacs to get a machine […]

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How to Choose the Best eCommerce Digital Agency: 6 Factors to Look For

Find out what makes the best eCommerce agencies stand out and what you should look for in your next digital marketing professional.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2019. It has been updated for accuracy and to reflect modern standards.

Most people would gauge the success of any agency by its size, client list, and revenue.

But, if you really want to find the best eCommerce digital agency for your brand, you need to dig a little deeper.

As the founder of an award-winning agency that has helped hundreds of clients over the last 15 years, I know a bit about what “success” means — and it’s not about an agency’s bottom line. Instead, it’s about building an agency that people love to work for, with a list of clients who share our values, passion, and collaboration style.

Today, I’m going to share a few of the factors that have made Inflow a success in this “non-traditional” manner of speaking. In doing so, I hope to give you a more comprehensive list of characteristics to look for in your next eCommerce digital marketing agency, so you can find a partnership that brings your brand success in that more traditional sense — revenue and brand growth.

What Makes a “Top” eCommerce Marketing Agency?

In my early days as a CEO, my goal was to create a $10 million eCommerce marketing agency. But, as I gained more experience and got to know our clients better, I realized that this kind of high-velocity agency growth threatened two key ingredients in sustainable success: client satisfaction and team happiness.

Agencies that grow “for the sake of growth” are often tempted to work with clients that aren’t an ideal fit. In turn, they’re forced to stretch staff workloads or hire impulsively to keep up with client demands.

It’s a recipe for disaster. Both staff and clients will become dissatisfied with their experience, creating turnover that no one could call a “success.”

So, Inflow took a different approach, which we call the Inflow Harmonic Triangle

In short, we believe three aspects more accurately define the best eCommerce agencies today:

  1. Results: Competency and achieving consistently great results for clients
  2. Warmth: Great client experiences and mutually beneficial relationships
  3. Team Care: A work environment that offers clear career paths, impactful benefits, and above-average compensation

By prioritizing harmony between stakeholders, an agency can create natural, sustainable growth that satisfies both clients and team members. It’s the best experience for all parties and ensures longer-term partnerships that really allow for the experimentation (and resulting growth) eCommerce stores desire.

The video below is hosted on YouTube. If you need assistance with viewing the video, please contact [email protected].

6 Factors to Look For When Choosing the Best eCommerce Agency for Your Brand

So, how can your online business ensure you choose one of the best eCommerce web agencies out there?

As you conduct your research, keep those three aspects mentioned above in mind. While a certain amount of your decision may be made from your gut feeling, you can see those characteristics in action by looking for the following:

1. They’re selective about clients.

Many startup agencies are desperate to get clients, and they aren’t picky about where they get them. But, as mentioned above, this can lead to strain on team members and unsatisfactory results for your brand.

Instead, look for agencies that research and vet their prospective clients during the sales process. Choose those professionals who seek a mutually beneficial relationship with your business — who also take the time to understand your goals and whether or not their agency is a good fit for your brand. 

For example, at Inflow, we serve a small slice of eCommerce websites — those who are mid-sized or larger, primarily sell their products online, and are looking for a long-term agency partnership. Most importantly, we only work with brands we believe in, which means we have turned down prospective clients who didn’t match our values.

When an agency is selective about its clients, you can trust that you’ll receive high-quality work from a team of experts who isn’t overladen with heavy workloads.

Remember: Waitlists aren’t bad! Instead, they’re a sign that an agency won’t sacrifice your work for the sake of bringing on a new client. While the wait can be frustrating when you’re looking for a new agency, it’s usually well worth it for the right fit.

The more selective an active client list is, the more time your strategists can dedicate to your accounts — and the better results you’ll receive.

Red Flag: Those who are solely focused on becoming bigger don’t leave much space for becoming better. Avoid agencies who rush you through the sales process and seem desperate to grow their client base. 

2. They specialize, not generalize.

Many online marketing companies try to become full-service agencies, covering everything under the marketing umbrella. It’s not uncommon to see an agency pitching search engine optimization (SEO) with pay-per-click marketing (PPC), graphic design, email marketing, conversion rate optimization, paid social media marketing, web development, and more.

But remember: Jack of all trades, master of none. 

You’ll get much better results by working with an agency that specializes in a few areas. They can provide a higher quality of service with advanced techniques and knowledge, thanks to their dedication to a few service lines. Compare that to a “full service” agency, which will either outsource additional services to contractors or attempt to offer them at a lower standard.

At Inflow, we don’t just specialize in eCommerce; we also focus on a few core areas. This gives us a narrower focus for optimizing our lead generation and allows us to develop a deeper understanding of each service line we offer.

For those services we don’t offer, we partner with other specialized companies to make introductions for our clients that will best serve their needs. 

Red Flag: Avoid agencies who promise a wide range of unrelated digital marketing services (like paid search, web design, mobile app development, content marketing, etc.) and cannot articulate the overarching strategy connecting them all.

3. They work with your budget and goals.

Every eCommerce company (including yours!) is unique. A marketing agency should respect that and build a custom strategy around your industry, products, audiences, goals, and resources — not force you into a cookie-cutter plan.

Unfortunately, many run-of-the-mill digital agencies will upsell you on services that won’t deliver. (It’s another way they put their bottom line over yours.)

The best eCommerce agencies, on the other hand, will only sell you on the services that will deliver the best results for your business. They’ll revisit those other marketing channels when it makes sense to, not when they’re in need of more client revenue.

Here at Inflow, we use an agile approach for all of our clients, meaning we flex our strategy and deliverables as needed to meet our client’s goals. We recognize that business goals change over time — and we believe a client’s strategy should reflect that, not remain static.

As such, look for an agency that will customize its eCommerce marketing services and pricing structure based on what delivers the best results for your brand.

Red Flag: Avoid agencies that offer a “standard pricing sheet” with their typical services. Look for agencies that diagnose your problems and build digital marketing strategies around your goals.

4. They set realistic expectations.

The best eCommerce marketing agencies can do a lot — but they’re not miracle workers. Your chosen agency should be able to rationally and realistically discuss what they can (and can’t) achieve for your brand, given your budget and your timelines.

Part of this onus is on your team (Have you properly researched the ROI of hiring an agency? Do you understand how certain advertising platforms work?), but your agency shouldn’t be afraid to educate you, either. 

Transparency and honesty from the start is the sign of a good future relationship that delivers maximum satisfaction for each party.

For example, our sales team has conversed with prospects who seemed like an ideal fit — until we got to the questions of goals, where they requested a 20-times increase in organic traffic within 12 months! When we told them that was unrealistic (even impossible), the prospect stood firm, leaving us to amicably part ways.

In short, look for an agency that isn’t afraid to address your goals in a straightforward way, even if it’s not what you want to hear.

Red Flag: Avoid agencies that overpromise and underdeliver. Ask for a strategy that realistically outlines how certain goals will be achieved.

5. They’re personable and excited to work with you.

Many eCommerce brands underestimate the personality aspect of a marketing professional. But, when you choose an agency based solely on results, you can end up with a working relationship that hinders your growth.

The best eCommerce marketing agencies employ teams who are passionate about what they do — and passionate about working with you. When you work with a team that is equally invested in your business, they’ll deliver more innovative strategies that drive real results for your business.

Here at Inflow, our strategists enjoy coming to work every single day. They look forward to brainstorming new marketing campaigns for our clients, and they’re never satisfied with the bare minimum. (In fact, it’s one of our core values.)

And our clients agree, too:

Jon Safran.

“We don’t want to be just another customer to you; we want you to understand how important this is to us and how passionate we are about it — and we’re looking for partners that share that same desire and urgency. And I think we found that in Inflow.” Jon Safran, CEO at KEH

Case studies and detailed proposals can only go so far. Trust your gut during your research process, and ask yourself: Do I get a good vibe from this agency?

Red Flag: Watch for agency contacts who are disengaged with their work, uninterested in getting to know your business, or otherwise distant in their communications. Avoid agencies that are slow to respond or ask too few questions during the sales process.

6. They care for their employees.

Where does the aforementioned passion come from? A welcome work environment that offers plenty of benefits and opportunities for employees.

An agency’s support for its staff is more than just tangentially related to your brand’s success. The better your agency can retain its staff, the less disruption it will suffer. With less disruption, they can focus on performing cutting-edge work, pushing the boundaries of eCommerce digital marketing, and achieving world-class results for clients.

For example, at Inflow, we provide an extensive benefits package for our team members — including a career development fund, mental and physical health support, and competitive salaries. We know that the longer an employee stays with us, the better results they can produce for our clients.

So, we make the effort to retain them, as all top eCommerce agencies should.

Red Flag: Avoid agencies who don’t actively invest in their in-house talent. Ask agencies about their employee benefits and retention rates, and don’t be afraid to do some sleuthing on their careers pages.

Finding the Best Agency for Your Needs

It’s my aim to build Inflow into one of the best eCommerce agencies out there, but I know the work is never done. After all, we don’t get to decide when we’ve hit that standard — our clients do.

So, as you’re investigating your agency options, keep the six factors above in mind. While they’re only a starting point for finding the best internet marketing agency for your brand, they can help you narrow down the thousands of options to identify the one that will deliver the full-service eCommerce solutions you deserve.

We know that option may not always be Inflow, which is why our sales team refers every prospect to the professional best suited for their needs — even when it’s a potential loss for our team. 

There are hundreds of top eCommerce agencies out there, and any one of them could be the best match for your online store. You just need to do the research.

Start with the multitude of advertising agency directories to narrow down your options:

And, if you think Inflow could be the right fit for your eCommerce business, request a free proposal anytime to learn more about our custom, results-driven strategies. We can’t wait to hear from you.

The video below is hosted on YouTube. If you need assistance with viewing the video, please contact [email protected].

Data & Business Impact with Feras Alhlou

A few months ago I had the opportunity to chat with my friend and work partner Feras Alhlou, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at E-Nor & Co-Author of Google Analytics Breakthrough. Feras and I have known each other for almost 10 years, and it is…

Google Analytics Stuido

A few months ago I had the opportunity to chat with my friend and work partner Feras Alhlou, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at E-Nor & Co-Author of Google Analytics Breakthrough. Feras and I have known each other for almost 10 years, and it is always great to hear more about the work that he and his first-class team are doing.

Here are the questions we discussed, checkout the answers in the video below. I have also added some of my favorite highlights from the interview after the video.

  1. [01:05] What's the process that you use to make sense out of data?
  2. [02:41]During this process, what do you actually do when you start working with data?
  3. [04:07]When analyzing data, how can we make sure that we are looking at the context to understand what is happening around us?
  4. [07:24]How can Data Studio and better data visualizations help companies make more data-driven decisions?

We believe analytics is a business process. We start with an audit, both from the business side and the technical side - we want to engage the stakeholders to understand how to measure what matters most to the business. Once we have the data in place, we go to the reporting layer - how do we report on this data? Then, we start to be able to analyze the data and find some actionable insights. Last, we can move to testing and personalization - that's when you really can have an impact on the business. Read more about E-Nor's Optimization Framework

There's a whole lot of data these days, right? Life used to be simple for marketers: one device, a few channels - now there's data everywhere, mobile, social, web, and of course backend data. I think one of the first things we need to do is to understand the context around that data, focusing on the following:

  • The integrity of the data: is it clean, was it collected properly, is it raw or aggregated? Understand the data collection, how the data was put together.
  • Having a set of meta data, information about the data: if you're looking at Google Analytics metrics, knowing more about the user. For example, if you have a subscription based model: Is it a premium user? Is it a standard user? Having that additional data gives a whole lot of context, to the person who's consuming that data.

I would definitely advice to have a data road map. Start with what you own, web and mobile analytics data. Then, start augmenting reports with basic social data, maybe you can get a little bit into the qualitative aspect with that. And last but not least, a great product that was recently introduced by Google as the Surveys product. There are surveys we can do on our own properties to understand the voice of the customer. But also use it to do market research - it used to be expensive and cumbersome to do it, but now you can easily run a Google survey and do a lot targeting.

And here is Feras and me having fun in the Google Analytics studio!

Daniel Waisberg and Feras Alhlou

image 
Daniel Waisberg and Feras Alhlou