A digital agency is a marketing agency that promotes businesses, products, or services through strategic and creative digital solutions. Its specialty comprises digital services such as SEO, PPC, social media, and content creation, poised to boost brands’ online presence and sales. 

Digital agencies implement custom technology, creative, and advertising solutions to help organizations achieve their marketing and business goals. These specialized service providers use their technical know-how to enhance digital marketing and ads, develop data-based strategies, and create digital platforms (e.g., websites and apps) and sometimes even products. 

Here’s a breakdown of their key services: 

• Campaign strategy 
  Designing targeted, data-driven marketing strategies to effectively promote brands and products online and reach intended audiences  
• Content creation 
  Producing engaging blogs, videos, infographics, and social media posts to inform, entertain, and connect with target audiences, build brand awareness, and inspire actions such as likes, shares, and conversions 
• Social media management 
  Planning, scheduling, and managing content across social platforms to engage audiences, stimulate brand interactions, and nurture customer loyalty  
• Email marketing 
  Crafting and automating personalized email campaigns to propel engagement, strengthen customer relationships, and drive sales  
• Paid advertising 
  Deploying pay-per-click (PPC) and paid campaigns across Google, Amazon, and social media platforms to maximize visibility and conversions  
• Search engine optimization (SEO) 
  Implementing on-page, off-page, and technical SEO tactics to help brands rank higher in search results and generate qualified, organic traffic 
• Data insights & analytics 
  Monitoring and analyzing campaign performance to refine strategies, maximize return on investment (ROI), and drive informed decision-making for future initiatives 
• Web development 
  Creating user-friendly, optimized websites tailored to business needs 
• Brand development 
  Building a cohesive brand identity to reflect a company’s values, differentiate its business, and foster meaningful engagement with its audience 
• Influencer marketing 
  Facilitating collaborations with influencers to expand brand reach and strengthen credibility 
• Video marketing 
  Producing high-quality video content with compelling storytelling to communicate brand messages effectively and drive actions such as clicks, shares, and sales 
• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) 
  Analyzing user behavior and implementing strategic design and functionality improvements to enhance user experiences, reduce barriers to action, and increase website conversions 
• Reputation management 
  Monitoring and managing online reviews, social media mentions, and brand sentiment to protect and elevate business' public perception, build trust, and proactively address customer feedback 

The difference between a digital agency and a digital marketing agency lies in their scope of services and focus areas. While both agencies offer digital services, a digital agency covers a broader range of digital solutions. On the other hand, a digital marketing agency specializes in online promotional strategies.    

To better understand the distinction between the two, here’s a side-by-side comparison: 

Digital agencies typically charge between $35 and $300 per hour for their services, with the exact price depending on several key factors, such as the type of service, agency location, scope of service, and company size. 

The top 50 digital agencies on DesignRush charge an average of $107 per hour. Roughly 17.1% of the agencies accept projects under $1,000, catering to startups, small businesses, and mom-and-pop shops that operate on a smaller business scale. On the other hand, 2.5% require a $50,000 minimum budget, offering premium, full-scale services tailored to established enterprises, large corporations, and high-budget projects that demand complex strategies, advanced technologies, and dedicated expertise. 

Here is an average cost breakdown for digital agency services: 

• Digital marketing: $500-$10,000 per month 
• SEO: $3,000-$8,000 per month or up to $30,000 for one-time projects 
• Content marketing: $500-$3,000 per month 
• PPC management: 15%-20% of the total ad spend 
• Social media management: $500-$10,500 per month or $30-$300 per day 
• Email marketing: $350-$5,000 per month or $0.10-$0.50 per email 
• Link building: $3,000-$10,000 per month or $50-$250 per hour 
• Video marketing: $1,000-$40,000 per project 
• Web design: $2,600-$30,000 per project 

Digital agencies can invoice in several ways:  

• Hourly rates: Businesses pay for each hour spent on their project  
• Per-project: Payments are based on the hourly rate but are billed as a fixed sum for a specific task  
• Results-based fees: Payment is dependent on achieving a particular goal or milestone  
• Monthly retainers: Entails a recurring flat fee for ongoing consultation or services 

You should hire a full-service digital agency because it can provide expert knowledge, advanced resources, and tailored strategies to position your business for growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving digital landscape. These specialized firms oversee strategy implementation across all digital touchpoints, enabling consistent branding and streamlined execution. 

Hire a digital agency because it can: 

• Target the most valuable audience with precise market research to connect with your potential customers effectively 
• Provide access to valuable industry experience, helping you avoid common pitfalls and achieve better outcomes 
• Scale your digital efforts efficiently by providing the resources and specialization needed to grow your online presence without the burden of managing everything in-house 
• Manage social media accounts and paid advertising campaigns to ensure the targeted ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram reach the right audience and maximize your ad spend 
• Deploy targeted keyword strategies and technical SEO improvements to improve organic search rankings and drive greater site traffic 
• Use automation and segmentation across email marketing campaigns to nurture leads, improve customer retention, and drive conversions 
• Make powerful first impressions by designing a website that leaves a lasting, positive impact on your audience 
• Present a unified brand image with consistent messaging across all digital platforms 
• Stay ahead of digital trends by offering continuous support and keeping your strategies updated 

Success story 

To demonstrate the tangible benefits of hiring a full-service digital agency, our expert team has selected the following case study from Clear Digital:  

• Challenge: Talent management company Viral Nation was ambitious to expand into the B2B market. To support this growth, it needed a refreshed visual identity and a new website that showcased its expanded offering while reinforcing its market leadership.  
• Solution: Clear Digital recommended a phased website launch, starting with a refreshed homepage, navigation, and an updated visual identity — a new logo, color palette, typography, and iconography. Additionally, a centralized online style guide was created for consistency across divisions, and animations were incorporated to enhance interactivity and engagement. 
• Results: The new website delivered a 26% increase in engaged sessions, a 23% reduction in bounce rate, and a 104% boost in conversions.  

You can choose the best full-service digital agency for your business by following these steps:  

1. Define your objectives, goals, and budget 
   Outline your goals, be it increased online visibility or greater sales, and determine a feasible budget you can allocate for the service.  
2. Research potential agencies  
   Look for prospective agencies across marketplaces, industry listings, and agency directories like DesignRush. Focus on providers with a proven track record.  
3. Evaluate portfolios and past work 
   Request portfolios and case studies to assess the agency’s experience in areas like creative campaigns, paid ads, and branding.  
4. Check client testimonials and reviews 
   Use client feedback to understand the agency’s impact, reliability, and level of client service. 
5. Assess their online presence 
   Review agencies' digital channels to gauge their digital marketing acumen. 
6. Identify core strengths and services 
   Choose an agency that excels in services critical to your strategy, such as SEO, social media marketing, or content creation. 
7. Evaluate their tools and technology 
   Ensure the agency uses current and advanced tools for effective campaign implementation and optimization. 
8. Shortlist top candidates 
   Narrow your options to agencies that best align with your goals and digital requirements. 
9. Request proposals and conduct interviews 
   Send requests for proposals (RFPs) to the shortlisted agencies and discuss their strategies to ensure alignment with your business objectives. 
10. Probe methodologies and tracking processes 
    Understand how the agency approaches strategy, implementation, and performance tracking to measure success. 
11. Make your decision 
    Choose the agency that presents the most compelling strategy and demonstrates the best understanding of your needs. 
12. Negotiate contract terms 
    Finalize a contract that clearly outlines deliverables, timelines, expectations, and performance indicators. 

Need help finding a good digital agency for your business? Visit our Marketplace and share your project details with us. We will review our extensive directory and connect you with five agencies that meet your criteria — free of charge. 

The key success metrics used by digital agencies include the following: 

• Website traffic growth 
  The percentage increase in website visits over a specific period 
• Conversion rate 
  The percentage of website visitors who complete desired actions 
• Return on investment (ROI) 
  Measures the profitability of a marketing campaign by comparing the revenue generated to the cost of executing the campaign 
• Lead generation volume 
  The total number of new leads acquired through digital agency efforts within a set timeframe 
• Social media engagement
  Tracks metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and follower growth 
• SEO performance 
  Monitors improvements in keyword rankings, organic traffic, and domain authority 
• Click-through rate (CTR) 
  The percentage of users who click on ads, emails, or links 
• Cost per acquisition (CPA) 
  The average cost to acquire a new customer 
• Bounce rate
  The percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page 

You can find the best digital agency on DesignRush that fits your budget by using our directory filters. Shortlist the agencies by choosing from those that can cater to projects from $1,000 to above $50,000 based on your budget. 

Browse through our agency directory to view agency profiles by location, area of expertise, client reviews, industries catered to, team size, pricing, and hourly rates. This allows you to comprehensively compare digital agencies and select the ideal fit for your project. 

When hiring a full-service digital agency, watch out for these red flags:  

1. Unclear service agreements 
   Be cautious of agencies that fail to provide detailed service agreements. Vague terms can lead to misaligned expectations and disputes over deliverables. 
2. No proven track record 
   Steer clear of agencies without case studies, testimonials, or references that demonstrate measurable success. A lack of a track record may indicate inexperience. 
3. Poor communication 
   Agencies that are slow to respond or fail to keep you informed on project progress may indicate subpar communication practices, which can lead to misunderstandings and missed deadlines. 
4. Unclear pricing structure
   Watch out for agencies with unclear pricing or undisclosed fees. Transparent pricing ensures you stay within budget and avoid unexpected expenses and conflicts. 
5. Overpromising results 
   Beware of agencies guaranteeing unrealistic results like overnight traffic growth or instant ROI. Genuine success requires time, strategy, and ongoing efforts. 
6. Inflexible contracts 
   Avoid agencies with rigid contracts that don’t allow for scaling or adjustments. A good agency should offer adaptable terms to meet evolving business needs. 
7. High employee turnover 
   High turnover within the agency can signal instability or internal issues, which may impact the consistency and quality of service provided to your business. 

Before hiring a digital agency, you should the following questions to gauge its suitability for your project:   

Its Relevant Background 

1. Can you provide client reviews or testimonials from our industry? 
2. Do you have experience working with brands similar to ours? 
3. How do you stay current with digital trends and updates? 

Its Services and Processes 

1. What digital services do you offer? 
2. How many projects are you currently handling, and how do you manage multiple clients? 
3. Do you outsource any of your work, and if so, what types of projects and to whom? 
4. Can you detail your content development strategy, particularly for SEO and reader engagement?  
5. What types of advertisements do you specialize in, and what platforms do you primarily use? 
6. What is your approach to link building in SEO? 
7. How do you manage project collaboration and communication with clients? 

Related to Your Project 

1. Based on our brand, which social media channels would you recommend, and why?  
2. What metrics or KPIs will you use to measure our digital campaign's success?  
3. What is the expected timeline to see tangible results from our initiatives?  
4. Can you provide a clear breakdown of costs for our project? Are there any potential extra fees?  
5. What makes your agency the ideal partner for our project? 

The best digital agencies in the U.S. are: 

1. Digital Silk   
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (38 reviews)  
   • 4.6 stars on Google (12 reviews)  
   • Top clients: IBM, AT&T, Sony, Microsoft  
2. SmartSites 
   • 5.0 stars on DesignRush (51 reviews)  
   • 4.9 stars on Google (683 reviews)  
   • Top clients: Newark Academy, NJ Institute of Technology, PGA Village Golf Resort Classic, Audi 
3. Intero Digital 
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (25 reviews)  
   • 4.8 stars on Google (226 reviews)  
   • Top clients: Jaguar, Ace Hardware, University of Colorado, Land Rover 
4. Lounge Lizard 
   • 4.8 stars on DesignRush (10 reviews)  
   • 4.6 stars on Google (20 reviews)  
   • Top clients: Ford, Canon, Pringles, Disney Marvel 
5. Comrade Digital Marketing 
   • 4.3 stars on DesignRush (1 review)  
   • 4.8 stars on Google (88 reviews)  
   • Top clients: American Tent, Barr & Young Attorneys, Europa Eyewear, Velvetech