Knowing the right questions to ask a digital marketing agency before hiring separates informed buyers from impulse decisions. These 10 questions reveal everything you need to know.
10 Essential Questions to Ask
1. What results have you delivered for similar businesses?
Vague answers here are a warning sign. You want specific numbers — revenue growth, lead volume, conversion rates. Because past performance is the best predictor of future results.
2. Who will work on my account?
Senior talent in the pitch room should also work on the project. Ask for names and roles. As a result, you know exactly who is responsible.
3. How do you measure success?
The answer should match your business goals — not just marketing metrics. If they only talk about impressions and clicks, they are measuring activity, not impact.
4. What does the first 90 days look like?
A clear onboarding plan shows professionalism. However, agencies that promise dramatic results in 90 days are likely overpromising.
5. How do you handle underperformance?
Every campaign has rough patches. What matters is how the agency responds. Therefore, ask about their process for identifying and fixing problems.
6. What is your contract structure?
Month-to-month signals confidence. Long lock-in contracts signal dependency. Additionally, understand cancellation terms before signing.
7. How do you stay current with industry changes?
Marketing evolves fast. Agencies that invest in training and testing deliver better results. Because an agency stuck in 2020 tactics will not deliver 2026 results.
8. Can I speak with current clients?
Willingness to share references indicates transparency. Reluctance is a red flag.
9. What do you need from us to succeed?
This question reveals partnership mindset. Agencies that understand your role in the process set better expectations. As a result, both sides succeed.
10. What makes you different from other agencies?
Listen for specifics — not platitudes. “We are passionate” means nothing. “We have delivered $50M+ in client revenue across 100+ brands” means everything.
For more evaluation criteria, see Search Engine Journal’s agency evaluation guides.
What Good Answers Sound Like
When asking about results, look for specifics — dollar amounts, percentages, and timeframes. Vague answers like “we increased engagement” tell you nothing meaningful.
When asking about process, look for clear steps and timelines. Because structured processes produce predictable outcomes.
When asking about failures, look for honesty and learning. Agencies that cannot discuss mistakes either have not done enough work or are not self-aware. Both are concerning.
How Cooprativa Answers These Questions
At Cooprativa, we answer every one of these questions with specifics. 150+ awards. 100+ brands. Senior team on every account. Ask us anything.
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