Five Things To Consider Before You Choose A Social Media Marketing Agency.

Before we dive into the key factors in choosing a social media marketing agency, let’s address a bigger question:

Should you hire an agency at all, or build an in-house team?

The Power (and Challenge) of Social Media Marketing.

Social media is the dominant marketing channel of our time. It influences buying decisions, builds brands, and drives sales. Over 77% of people use social media daily to discover businesses, products, and services.

That’s massive. And it’s still evolving, fast.

With platforms and algorithms constantly shifting, staying ahead requires ongoing strategy, content creation, ad optimisation, and trend monitoring. You can either:

• Build an in-house team, which means hiring 2–3 people at a cost of hundreds of thousands per year (plus training, tools, and strategy development).
• Hire an agency, with access to an entire team of experts for a fraction of the cost—as little as a few hundred dollars per week.

But choosing the right agency isn’t just about price. It’s about results. Here’s what to look for;

1. Define Your Goals First

Before reaching out to agencies, be clear on what you want to achieve. Whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, customer engagement, or sales, your business goals should shape your social media strategy.

• Businesses with a well-defined content strategy see 30% more conversions than those without.
• Knowing your goals helps you track ROI and understand what success looks like.

An agency that doesn’t ask about your goals? Red flag.

2. Do They Have Experience in Your Industry?

Social media marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your audience, brand voice, and objectives matter.

Ask:

• Have they worked with businesses similar to yours?
• Can they show measurable results from past campaigns?

If they can’t prove past success, why take the risk?

3. Are They Just Outsourcing Everything?

Many agencies white-label their services, meaning they outsource work to third parties (often overseas) or simply use an AI tool. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but transparency matters, as does creative quality.

• If an agency uses offshore resources, are the cost savings passed on to you?
• Also, is this activity going to elevate your brand online? (ie: is the creative execution good enough to make a difference?)

Content, in particular, works best when it’s local, personalised, and authentic. Ask:

• Who creates the content?
• Do they understand your brand and audience?
• How do they ensure quality control?

If an agency is just a middleman, how can they guarantee results?

4. Social Media Strategy Should Be a Core Service

Social media marketing isn’t just about posting pretty pictures. A real agency offers:

• Social media strategy
• Paid ad management
• Community engagement
• Performance tracking and reporting

If strategy isn’t a core service, walk away.

5. Check Real Reviews (Not Just Star Ratings)

A five-star Google rating doesn’t always tell the full story. Look deeper:

• Read the actual reviews. Are they detailed or just generic “Great service!” comments?
• Check multiple platforms—Google, Facebook, LinkedIn.
• Look for real customer stories, not just testimonials without names or faces.

Fake reviews are common. Genuine feedback comes from real people with real results.

Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely

Your social media marketing partner will shape how your business is seen online. Choose an agency that’s:

• Experienced in your industry
• Transparent about their team and processes
• Focused on strategy and results
• Backed by real, verifiable reviews

Don’t rush the decision. Do your research. Pick an agency that delivers.