When it comes to selecting the right creative agency for your company or even for your career, it is important to know the differences in the kinds of agencies there are to choose from. Each creative agency has its own focus and specialty. So, depending on what you are looking to achieve, one may be a better choice for you or your company over another.
There are a number of different kinds of creative agencies including advertising, web design, digital marketing, design, full-service, and more. Essentially, the main objective of an agency is to provide a specific service to their clients in relation to that client’s specific business or campaign needs. Today, we are going to break down the different kinds of creative agencies and look at the pros and cons of each.
Web Design / Interactive Design Agency
Web or interactive design agencies are usually made up of both web developers and web designers. The main difference between the two is that designers are responsible for the look and feel while developers handle usability and functionality. Web designers are also sometimes referred to as graphic designers. They use photoshop and other creative tools to create logos, colour schemes, branding, and any other design elements needed for the site. Web developers work with different coding languages such as HTML or PHP to break down a design or concept into a dynamic, interactive website.
In short, these agencies focus specifically on the design and development of all things website related. They are experts in their field and have knowledge and experience in user experience (UX) and industry standards. Typically, a business will turn to web designers when they need to refresh their current website or build a brand new one.
When you’re working with a web design agency, an important first step is to establish your company’s goals for the website. For example, if you are a small business looking to build a basic website that will not be updated often, it will likely be more cost-effective to find a freelancer. However, if you are looking to develop a large, complex e-commerce website with multiple pages, product offerings, and frequent updates, we definitely recommend going the agency route.
Digital Marketing Agency
Digital marketing agencies specialize in all developing, executing and monitoring all aspects of digital campaigns. From social media content strategies to web advertising and much more, partnering with a digital marketing agency can drastically increase and improve your brand’s online presence.
Over the past 10 years since the rise of e-commerce and social media, digital marketing strategies have become an increasingly important factor in success for most businesses. In fact, an overwhelming 83% of businesses report that digital marketing is helping them achieve their goals! It is particularly important if your company is selling things online, with over 51% of shoppers claiming they use Google during their decision making process and 54% of shoppers using social media. It is nearly a no-brainer that companies invest in some form of digital marketing and a specialized digital marketing agency can help.
Design Agency
Design agencies offer print and digital design services and typically specialize in either branding, product design or both. They usually work with external organizations to fully develop their work such as the types of agencies already discussed here or consultants. A perfect time to employ a design agency would be for a company rebrand or for a product or campaign launch. A design agency can help ensure that your launch has a cohesive look and feel both on and offline.
Many design agencies, like ad agencies, strive to develop long-term relationships with their clients. However, unlike ad agencies, it is very uncommon for a design company to solely focus their attention on one industry. A benefit of using a design agency is they have access to many creative tools which most freelancers do not. In addition, they have a great deal of expertise in a large variety of different industries and design trend knowledge.
Full-Service Advertising Agency
A full-service agency has the ability to do all of the things mentioned in the previous types of agencies, plus more. Many have in-house teams for web development, a graphic and creative design studio, as well as advertising and branding strategy specialists. In addition, they may also offer dedicated public relations services or a fully equipped video and photography studio.
As the name would suggest, full-service advertising agencies focus on marketing and advertising strategies. They can develop, recommend and deploy a broad range of advertising strategies to create campaigns tailored to their client’s needs. Most advertising agencies strive to build long-term working relationships with their clients and can either specialize in a specific industry or diversify.
Some of the key service offerings provided by full-service advertising agencies typically include advertising strategy and design, development of communication plans, facilitation of media placement and buying, and much more. Generally speaking, this means all of the planning that goes into a successful campaign.
Typically, a full-service agency is a one-stop-shop for all of an organization’s communication needs. Full-service agencies tend to be more efficient because the team offers a wide range of skills and specialties. It is also advantageous when launching a large scale multi-media campaign to use a full service agency in order to ensure brand and message consistency across multiple channels.
Are you looking for the right agency to help with your business’s next campaign? adHOME may be the agency to help you achieve your company goals. Give us a call [(519) 672-9090] or send us an email [info@adHOMEcreative.com] to find out more.