How SMEs Can Outsource Digital Marketing to Save Time and Money

Posted on 9th November 2023

---

For an SME with limited resources and manpower, digital marketing is a constant challenge. It can lead to employees stretching themselves thin and juggling multiple responsibilities. This, in turn, can lead to the last thing any SME needs: job turnover!

However, there is a way to avoid the excess stress and strain on your company (and its employees). Outsource your digital marketing! Outsourcing lets SMEs compete with the big dogs of the digital marketing world without working employees into the ground. Still, many SMEs are deterred by myths and misconceptions about the potential drawbacks.

In this blog, we’ll dispel some of these myths and explore this game-changing solution for SMEs’ digital marketing. We will uncover how, with outsourcing, SMEs can not only save time and money but also improve marketing for their businesses. 

What is Digital Marketing Outsourcing?

Put simply, outsourcing your digital marketing means hiring external experts or agencies to handle online marketing tasks. 

This can include tasks like:

• Website development
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media management
• Content creation
• Email marketing
• Online advertising

Outsourcing these responsibilities means SMEs can benefit from the expertise of specialists. They can also save money and free up time for your staff to work on core business functions, reducing employee burnout. This, in turn, can reduce the level of job turnover while saving money. 

There are drawbacks, too. Outsourcing marketing means relinquishing control to an extent. There’s also the administrative burden that comes with managing various third-party teams. 

Pros of outsourcing digital marketing

1. Expertise and Tools: Digital marketing agencies typically have specialized knowledge and experience. Often, they also have access to advanced tools and technologies.
2. Cost-Efficiency: Outsourcing can be more cost-effective. Instead of maintaining an in-house team, you just pay for the services as and when you need them. This can also reduce the workload (and cost) of your HR team unless you have enterprise HR software that can handle it all for you.
3. Time Savings: Outsourcing menial marketing tasks lets SMEs focus on their core business operations. 
4. Scalability: It’s easy to scale marketing efforts up or down based on your business’s needs.
5. Risk Mitigation: By relying on an external team of professionals, you can reduce the risk of disruptions.
6. Measurable Results:  Digital marketing agencies provide detailed analytics, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

 

Cons of outsourcing digital marketing

1. Loss of Control: Outsourcing means relinquishing some control over your marketing efforts. 
2. Communication Challenges: Effective communication with an external team can sometimes be challenging, especially for SMEs employing remote staff who need to ensure data privacy at all times while facilitating easy channels of communication.
3. Cost Concerns: While outsourcing can save money, it may still be costly for some SMEs, depending on the services required.
4. Risk of Choosing the Wrong Partner: Picking the wrong agency or professionals can result in subpar results or a mismatch with your business objectives.

 

How to Outsource Digital Marketing

Once you’ve decided to outsource your digital marketing, here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right outsourcing partner for your business.

1. Assess your needs and goals

Before diving into outsourcing, SMEs should have a clear understanding of their digital marketing requirements and goals. What specific services do you need? What goal are you hoping to achieve? And by what metrics will you measure your success?

Outlining your objectives will help you select the right outsourcing partner. It’s also crucial to clearly define your goals with your partner. Be sure to set precise expectations on KPIs.

 

2. Choose the right partner

Selecting the right digital marketing agency or professionals is crucial. Look for providers or individuals with a track record of success, relevant industry experience, and expertise in your specific niche. Ask for references, case studies, or testimonials to assess their credibility. The right partner will understand your business and tailor services to your goals.

 

Budget wisely

Outsourcing digital marketing can be cost-effective, but it’s essential to set a clear budget. Determine how much you can allocate to digital marketing services while maintaining profitability. Remember that high-quality work often comes at a price, so be cautious of extremely low-cost options that may compromise results.

 

1. Content is king

Content is a cornerstone of digital marketing. Ensure that your partner has a strong content strategy in place, including utilizing social media analytics. Content not only attracts and retains your audience but also boosts your search engine rankings.

 

2. Effective communication

Maintaining open and effective communication with your outsourcing partner is crucial. Regular updates will ensure that your marketing efforts remain aligned with your goals. 

Discuss strategies, challenges, and changes in the market to adapt your campaigns accordingly. You can easily keep all parties in touch via an internet telephone solution or online work collaboration platform.

Additionally, consider using tools like Microsoft Teams to facilitate communication and collaboration. This platform can help your team coordinate efforts and even record Microsoft Teams meetings for future reference.

 

3. data and analytics

Digital marketing offers a wealth of data and analytics tools to track performance. Regularly review these metrics to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. Identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategies based on data-driven marketing insights.

 

4. Stay agile and adaptive

The digital landscape evolves rapidly, with new technologies and trends emerging regularly. Your outsourcing partner should be agile and adaptable to these changes. Collaborate to implement innovative strategies and stay ahead of the competition.

 

5. Consistency is key

Consistency in branding and messaging is essential across all digital marketing channels. Ensure that your outsourcing partner maintains a cohesive and unified brand image.

 

6. Regularly evaluate ROI

Regularly assess the return on investment for your digital marketing efforts. If certain strategies aren’t delivering, don’t be afraid to change tact.

 

7. Maintain control

While outsourcing offers many benefits, maintain control over your digital marketing strategy. Work closely with your partner to ensure that your brand’s voice and values are accurately represented.

Outsourcing Digital Marketing Is a Game Changer for SMEs

In conclusion, outsourcing digital marketing is a strategic move for SMEs. It enables them to save time and money while boosting their online presence. Although challenges exist, the benefits of outsourcing far outweigh them. Remember to set clear objectives, carefully select partners, and keep open lines of communication. By following these tips, SMEs can harness the power of outsourcing to thrive in the digital world.