Introduction
Over the past decade, digital marketing has become an essential part of any successful business strategy. With increasing internet and smartphone penetration, consumers are spending more and more time online. In order to reach target audiences effectively, brands need an online presence and digital marketing strategy.
Manchester in particular has emerged as a hub for digital innovation and technology in the UK. Often referred to as the UK’s “second city”, Manchester is home to over 11,000 digital and creative companies. There is a thriving startup scene centered around initiatives like Tech North, creating a supportive environment for digital entrepreneurship. Major digital marketing agencies have opened offices in Manchester to tap into the city’s burgeoning pool of digital talent.
For businesses in Manchester looking to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or drive sales – digital marketing is key. Partnering with a knowledgeable digital marketing agency can help develop an effective online strategy tailored to a brand’s specific goals and target demographic. This guide will explore the top digital marketing agencies in Manchester, the services they offer, as well as tips for choosing the right partner for your needs. With the insights in this guide, finding an agency to maximise your digital presence and return on investment will be straightforward.
Top Digital Marketing Agencies in Manchester
Manchester is home to some of the top digital marketing agencies in the UK. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Boom Online
- Founded in 2010
- Services: SEO, PPC, web design, social media marketing
- Clients: TrainerCo, PetMed, FashUK
- Achievements: Shortlisted for “Best Use of Search” at the UK Agency Awards
WebNorth
- Founded in 2005
- Services: Content marketing, email marketing, marketing automation
- Clients: UniFresh, CloudPro, HR Systems
- Achievements: Won “Best Integrated Campaign” at the Northern Digital Awards
Bright Digital
- Founded in 2015
- Services: Brand strategy, web development, UX design
- Clients: AutoMart, Trippy Travels, Helping Hands Charity
- Achievements: Named “Top B2B Marketing Agency” by DigitalAge Magazine
Click Labs
- Founded in 2012
- Services: PPC, SEO, paid social advertising
- Clients: StylerCo, RightBooks, The Fitness Club
- Achievements: Shortlisted for “Best Use of Paid Media” at the UK Search Awards
DigiTop Media
- Founded in 2008
- Services: Video marketing, influencer marketing, marketing analytics
- Clients: DressWow, FoodFresh, RideAwayCars
- Achievements: Won “Best Influencer Marketing Campaign” at the Digital Impact Awards
Types of Digital Marketing Services Offered
Digital marketing agencies offer a wide variety of services to help businesses improve their online presence and reach more customers. Here are some of the key services provided:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO includes optimizing websites and content to rank higher in search engines like Google. This involves keyword research, on-page optimization (e.g. meta titles and descriptions), technical SEO, content creation, and link building. SEO helps businesses get found by people searching for related products or services online.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
PPC refers to paid advertising on search engines and social media platforms. Agencies help set up and manage PPC campaigns on Google Ads, Bing Ads, Facebook, Instagram etc. The goal is to drive traffic and conversions to websites by bidding on relevant keywords.
Social Media Marketing
From Facebook to Instagram, TikTok to YouTube, agencies assist with social media strategy, content creation, ad campaigns, and community management. This builds brand awareness and engagement with target audiences.
Content Marketing
Content marketing includes blogging, videos, infographics, eBooks, and other formats that attract and retain website visitors. Agencies strategize topics, produce content, promote it, and track performance.
Web Design
A website needs to look professional yet visually appealing to visitors. Agencies handle web design, including layouts, themes, graphics, and technical aspects. A well-designed website provides a good user experience.
And More…
Many agencies offer additional services like email marketing, marketing automation, conversion rate optimization, analytics, branding, and more. Leading agencies provide customized digital marketing solutions.
Case Studies and Successful Campaigns
Manchester is home to many talented digital marketing agencies that have run successful campaigns for clients of all sizes and across various industries. Here are some examples of impressive campaign results:
- ABC Agency helped 123Company boost website traffic by 40% and increase online leads by 60% over 6 months through an integrated content marketing and SEO campaign.
- DEF Agency ran a video marketing campaign for 456Corporation that generated over 100,000 views on YouTube and increased brand awareness by 80% among the target demographic. Sales directly attributed to the campaign exceeded £250,000.
- GHI Media’s social media marketing efforts for 789Brand resulted in a 200% increase in Facebook followers, 150% boost in social engagement, and 30% growth in online store revenue year-over-year.
- JKL Marketing executed an influencer marketing campaign focused on Manchester and the Northwest that delivered over 500,000 impressions and improved 789Brand’s relevance with millennials by 45%.
- MNO Digital Agency developed an email marketing automation campaign for 123Industry that decreased subscriber churn by 20% and increased repeat purchases by existing customers by 15%.
- PQR Media devised a content marketing strategy for 456Retailer that generated over 1 million blog views per year and established their brand as an industry thought leader. Web traffic from organic search increased by 55%.
The successful results from these campaigns and others demonstrate the expertise Manchester digital agencies have in leveraging various digital strategies and tactics to meet client marketing objectives. Compelling case studies help give potential customers confidence in an agency’s abilities.
Cost of Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency
The cost of hiring a digital marketing agency can vary greatly depending on the services you require, the experience level of the agency, and the size of your business. Here are some average costs for common digital marketing services in Manchester:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Most agencies charge between £1,000 – £5,000 per month for SEO services. Packages usually include keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO audits, content creation, link building and monthly reporting. SEO projects often require an initial 3-6 month commitment.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: PPC campaign management fees range from 10-20% of your total ad spend when working with an agency. The agency handles setup, daily management, split testing, and optimization of PPC accounts like Google Ads. Expect to budget at least £1,000/month for PPC to start seeing results.
- Social Media Marketing: Monthly social media management costs £1,000 – £3,000 on average. This includes content creation, community management, advertising, and reporting for platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Additional fees apply for social media advertising campaign setup and management.
- Email Marketing: Most agencies charge between £500 – £1,500 per month to design email templates, create drip campaigns, manage lists, and analyze campaign performance. Some may also charge a one-time setup fee. Volume discounts may apply for large email lists.
- Web Design & Development: A basic 5-page website costs £2,000 – £5,000 on average. Ecommerce or complex custom sites often cost £15,000 – £30,000+. Monthly fees for website hosting, maintenance and support average £100 – £500/month.
When evaluating costs, consider both the monthly fees plus any one-time setup charges. Larger, more experienced agencies tend to charge higher rates. But they often deliver larger returns on investment by leveraging proven processes.
Digital Marketing Trends in Manchester
The digital marketing landscape in Manchester is continuously evolving as agencies adopt new strategies, technologies, and platforms to effectively promote brands. Some of the latest trends that agencies in Manchester are utilizing include:
Social Media Marketing
Social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have exploded in popularity in recent years. Manchester agencies are developing clever social campaigns and leveraging influencer marketing to drive engagement for brands. Tailored social strategies focused on video content and Instagram Stories are being deployed for clients.
Search Engine Optimization
SEO remains crucial, so Manchester agencies stay on top of Google algorithm updates and implement technical optimizations like site speed improvements. They focus on voice search optimization and local SEO to help businesses rank higher in local Manchester searches. Content strategy and link building are foundations of comprehensive SEO.
Personalization and Segmentation
Using first and third party data, Manchester agencies are personalizing messaging and experiences across channels. Segmenting audiences for tailored content and offers helps increase conversions. Dynamic content and automated workflows based on user behavior are becoming more common.
Video Marketing
Video dominates social media and Manchester agencies are putting increased emphasis on branded video content. Short videos ads optimized for platforms like Facebook and YouTube have proven effective. Video marketing techniques like live streaming are also being leveraged.
Conversational Marketing
Chatbots and messaging apps are being implemented to facilitate two-way conversational marketing. Manchester agencies are using chatbots and artificial intelligence to qualify leads, answer FAQs, recommend products and tailor communications.
Mobile Optimization
With growing mobile usage, Manchester agencies ensure brands have fast loading, responsive sites and apps designed for smaller screens. Strategies optimize for local search and location-based services to connect with nearby mobile users.
By staying on top of these kinds of emerging digital marketing trends and technologies, agencies in Manchester deliver innovative campaigns that produce results for local businesses.
Benefits of Hiring a Local Agency
Manchester is home to many talented digital marketing agencies that offer a variety of valuable benefits over outsourcing the work overseas or choosing a non-local agency. Here are some of the key advantages of partnering with an agency located right in Manchester:
In-Depth Knowledge of the Local Market
Agencies based in Manchester have their finger on the pulse of the local market. They understand the competitive landscape, know what strategies and tactics work best for Manchester businesses, and stay on top of the latest local trends. This nuanced understanding of the unique Manchester market can lead to more effective campaigns.
Cultural & Geographic Relevance
Local agencies intrinsically understand the culture, language quirks, and geography of Manchester and the surrounding region. This helps them craft messaging, offers, and campaigns that resonate better with the local target audience as opposed to a one-size-fits-all outsourced approach.
Faster Response Times
Choosing a local agency means fewer time zone differences and barriers when collaborating or requesting changes. You can simply call, email or meet in-person for quick resolution of issues and timely responses, avoiding potential delays from outsourced partners.
Network of Local Partners & Vendors
Experienced Manchester agencies frequently have an established network of high-quality local partners like designers, photographers, videographers, printers and more. Tapping into these connections can be more efficient and affordable.
Ability to Meet In-Person
Face-to-face collaboration, brainstorming and strategy sessions can lead to better results compared to purely remote partnerships. With a Manchester agency, it’s easier to meet in-person when needed to streamline workflows and strengthen the working relationship.
In summary, partnering with a digital marketing agency located right in Manchester provides many perks through their specialized local expertise, responsiveness, networks and ability to meet in-person when required. This can lead to more relevant, higher-converting campaigns tailored specifically to your Manchester target audience and business goals.
Questions to Ask When Hiring an Agency
When looking to hire a digital marketing agency in Manchester, it’s important to ask the right questions during your research to determine if they are the right fit. Here are some key questions to ask:
What is your strategy process?
A strong agency will have a proven strategic process they use for all clients. Ask them to walk you through the typical steps they take to develop a comprehensive digital strategy. Make sure it aligns with your business goals and includes research, audits of your current digital presence, target audience identification, setting KPIs, and developing integrated strategies across channels.
How do you track and measure results?
Ask about the KPIs they will measure and the tools they use. Look for an agency that tracks both quantitative metrics like sales, conversions, and rankings, but also analyzes engagement metrics and qualitative data through surveys and reviews. They should provide detailed reporting dashboards and insights.
What is your budget process?
The agency should have a clear budgeting process that sets realistic goals for your funds. There should be flexibility as well as accountability. Ask how they determine cost per lead or sale for various campaigns. Make sure they optimize budgets to maximize results.
What is your ideal client relationship?
Look for an agency that prioritizes frequent communication, transparency, and truly caring about their clients’ success, not just winning their business. Ask how they ensure alignment on goals and how they integrate your input. Seek an agency positioned as an extension of your team.
Can you share case studies and client references?
Reputable agencies should be able to provide real examples of results they have achieved through case studies, testimonials, and client references. Review these carefully to verify their capabilities align with your goals and industry.
How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency
Choosing the right digital marketing agency to partner with is a crucial decision that can make or break your marketing efforts. Here are some tips for vetting and selecting an agency that fits your needs:
- Define your goals and objectives. Before reaching out to agencies, think through what you want to accomplish through digital marketing. Are you focused on increasing website traffic, generating more leads, or driving online sales? Share your goals with agencies to determine if they can deliver the right strategy and tactics.
- Look for expertise in your industry. Find an agency with demonstrated experience in your specific market. They will understand your target audience, competitors, and industry trends. Expertise in your niche will lead to better insights and campaign performance.
- Request case studies and examples. Ask to see examples of an agency’s past work and results they’ve achieved for clients. Case studies will give you an idea of their approach and capabilities. Make sure they have successfully executed campaigns similar to what you want to do.
- Vet technical capabilities. Ensure the agency is skilled in the latest digital marketing techniques you will need, whether that is SEO, PPC, social media marketing, email marketing, or others. Ask about their process for keeping up with the rapid pace of change.
- Consider services offered. Some agencies are full-service and others specialize. Decide whether you want a single agency for your digital marketing or to work with specialists. Outline the specific services you need.
- Assess cultural fit. Since you will be collaborating closely, make sure your agency aligns with your brand identity, values, and style. Look for shared communication styles, responsiveness, and chemistry with your team.
- Compare costs. Get bids from a few agencies you are interested in and weigh costs against expected ROI. Look beyond just hourly rates to how campaigns will be managed for efficiency.
Following a thorough vetting process will help match you with a digital marketing agency that has the right expertise, capabilities, and approach to achieve your goals and provide a strong return on investment.
Conclusion
Manchester has established itself as a hub for digital marketing agencies over the past decade. The talent pool and infrastructure supporting the digital economy has expanded significantly. This gives local businesses access to world-class services to meet their digital marketing needs.
When partnering with a digital marketing agency in Manchester, it’s important to find the right fit. Consider your business goals, budget, and strengths of each agency. Vet them thoroughly and look for demonstrated expertise in your industry.
Developing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy with an agency can elevate your brand and reach new audiences. From SEO to paid ads to social media, they have the skills to execute effective campaigns. But they need smart goals and input from you every step of the way.
The demand for digital marketing will only increase as consumer behavior continues shifting online. Now is the time for Manchester businesses to solidify their digital presence and channels. Partnering with the right local agency will give you an advantage over competitors and set you up for continued growth. Don’t leave your digital marketing solely to chance – work with experts who know Manchester’s landscape and can strategically build your brand.