What Do Digital Agencies Really Do?

Do you ever wonder what digital marketing agencies actually do? At Black and Yellow Agency, we explain what it means to work with an agency, what services are involved, and whether hiring one for your business is worth.

Hire an Agency or use an In-House team?

There are a few things to consider here: When your business reaches a point where marketing needs exceed your team’s capabilities, it’s time to decide, do you expand in-house capabilites or outsource to an agency? Building an in-house team can be costly and time-consuming and your knowledge only goes as far as the knowledge of your team. You’ll need expertise in areas like SEO, social media, content marketing, and PPC ads, which usually means hiring multiple roles, which adds up.

Agencies, however, provide a whole team of specialists right out of the gate. Instead of training new hires, you get access to top talent and seasoned pros who understand your industry and keep up with the latest digital marketing trends.

The short answer is yes. Suppose you want a strategic, high-quality marketing plan without the trial-and-error of building an internal team from scratch. Agencies bring experienced staff, strategic insights, and tools that save time and reduce costly mistakes, like poorly-targeted ads or inefficient website designs. Sometimes agencies outsource certain roles in the chain to their trusted freelance network, but still this means that a tried and tested resource is fit for the job.

Digital agencies often cover the whole spectrum of marketing needs:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Boost your site’s ranking on search engines, driving organic traffic.
• PPC (Pay-Per-Click Ads): Paid ads targeting specific audiences across Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Content Marketing: Blogs, articles, social media posts, and other content that builds your brand and engages customers.
• Web Design & Development: User-friendly websites designed for conversions and speed.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Tools and insights to measure campaign success and optimize performance.

Most digital agencies provide a range of services to cover all aspects of your online presence, including:

• Strategy Development: Tailored marketing plans with goals aligned to your business.
• Social Media Management: Growing your online presence and engaging with followers.
• Branding & Design: Creating cohesive brand identities, visuals, and messaging.
• Technical Support: Solving website glitches, running updates, and ensuring security.

Remote Teams vs. In-House Teams

Many digital agencies work as remote teams, allowing for flexibility and often lower costs. This setup can be a bonus if you’re looking for a lean operation without office overheads. Of course it takes skill to run an operation like this.

Some agencies work on retainers, providing ongoing monthly services for a consistent fee, while others charge per job. Retainers are ideal if you need long-term support and regular content updates. Per-job charges suit one-off projects, like a new website or a specific campaign.

Some digital agencies offer commission-based payment, especially for e-commerce. This setup can be beneficial for performance-driven campaigns, ensuring the agency is motivated to deliver results that boost sales.