1. Does the online ad consultancy understand the needs of your target market?
2. Do they understand the specific goals of your marketing campaign?
3. Can the online advertising consulting firm work within your budget restrictions?
4. Have your expectations been clearly defined?
5. Do they exhibit a genuine interest in promoting your business?
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create a web presence with an online advertising consultant

Your website is your virtual store front, so you want to present a professional and appealing package to your potential customers. Content is king on the Internet; an Internet advertising consultant can help you develop content that clearly identifies what you can do for your customers. Online advertising consultants can also provide guidance on search engine submission, content management, ranking reports and keyword research.

I recommend: CyberMark International, Inc., is a leader in search engine optimization for marketing your website. This online ad consulting firm offers marketing packages with a combination of tools to keep you competitive. HTP Company has expertise in website design and search engine marketing. They will track your website visitors from search engines and advertising campaigns so you know exactly which methods are providing the greatest results.

Utilize low-cost email marketing with the help of an online advertising specialist

Internet advertising consultants can turn email marketing into a powerful communication and advertising tool. It is a cost-effective way to stay connected to your customers and maintain your relationship. Since your return on investment for email marketing can be easily tracked with click-throughs and read-receipts, it is one of the most effective online marketing methods in use.

I recommend: Marketingology, an online advertising consultancy, will help you develop an email marketing campaign that includes list management, content development and real-time tracking of results. Capella Interactive has an email marketing platform that maintains a profile of each prospect. You can evaluate response rates and conversions by campaign or by categories.

Consult your online advertising consultant on blogs

Online advertising consulting firms have seen blogs, or web logs, evolve into a popular form of Internet marketing. The advent of social media marketing allows businesses to open a dialogue with their customers to build and maintain relationships while driving traffic to the company website. The interactive environment makes it possible to collect information on user interests and gain insight into their needs.

I recommend: Spring Creek Group can track blog posts, analyze their impact on your business and participate in the conversations to focus the marketing campaign. TopRank Online Marketing offers 3 fundamental campaign phases—strategy, marketing your blog and analytics to gauge performance.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When shopping for an online ad consultant, consult the Better Business Bureau to verify the agency's legitimacy and record of complaints.