Digital agencies beyond 2020: How to survive and thrive in the future

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It’s time to think competitively

From its beginnings, the digital agency space has always been competitive, a characteristic that has been ramped up in recent years with the rapid globalisation of the industry. In order to stay relevant, agencies are feeling the pressure more than ever to remain ahead of the curve and the latest emerging technology.

In the aftermath of Covid-19 however, the experts at Wix predict a shift in outlook, with more businesses preferring to work with agencies closer to home. This

time of uncertainty has led to a sense of insecurity, driving businesses to seek solace in the familiar. For agencies, it is wise to expend their energies on fostering strong relationships with these local businesses; this move not only creates a dependable client base but helps to boost the agency’s trust and credibility score. By changing tack and sourcing more local clients, agencies have an obvious advantage over their competitors.

Additionally, more and more businesses on the client side are opting for a DIY approach, taking aspects of marketing in-house to save on expense and dev time. The eBook advises agencies to consistently prove its unique value to clients; whether this is through providing a specialist service, or the expertise and resources to educate clients. Whether you provide specialist services or you’re a one-stop-shop, making the distinction is crucial. Of all the emerging technology, zero code web development seems set to have the biggest potential impact on the industry, with agencies finding they can free up valuable time and resources when they don’t have to code everything from scratch.

Getting to know yourself

During a time of change, taking the time to craft a strong and recognisable brand identity and product offering will pay off in the long run.

With more competition than ever before and the rapid uptake of new tools and technologies, many digital agencies are getting lost in the background. However, those agencies that define their exact offering and are able to position themselves accurately in a client’s journey are faring far better than others.

Are you a specialist service or a one-stop shop for all client needs? Knowing the answer to this will help your agency to position its offering most effectively, to the clients that need your services most. It creates a top-level transparency between client and digital agency, setting an expectation for between both parties that is easily achieved.

Identifying growth opportunities

While first contact between a digital agency and a client will be based on finding a solution to a particular need, this initial conversation opens up a multitude of opportunities for both parties.

In line with a growing trend among businesses to see all their platforms and marketing channels interwoven and recognisably on brand, it’s important that agencies make sure they are able to offer an integrated suite of professional services. According to a survey conducted by Wix in 2018, services that drive profit include high-end design (49%) and additional marketing services (34%). Being able to offer these surplus services saves clients from having to shop around, while boosting your agency’s profit margins.

Still unsure what services your agency should be offering in the future? Go straight to the source. Allowing your product offering to be influenced and developed by what your clients treat as a priority makes good business sense. In results taken from the same survey, services like website design and SEO are predicted to rise in popularity while email marketing is set to plummet. It is important that agencies keep their finger on the pulse, constantly remaining aware of what clients really need.

Level up

The speed at which the digital agency space develops is due in no small part to how rapidly new technologies are developed and released into the market. Desperate to remain ahead of the curve, businesses are keen to adopt these new marketing strategies and agencies that show an awareness of how to leverage them effectively, will benefit.

Services set to drive business for agencies include zero-code web development (36%), voice-activated systems and VAR (both 21%) and AI (14%).

Wix is the world’s ultimate platform for agencies, chosen by over 160 million professionals worldwide. To gain more invaluable insight into how digital agencies will thrive beyond 2020, access the eBook here.