A New Year. A New Decade. A New Digital Marketing Agency?

While we can't predict the future, one thing's for sure: Digital marketing is more important than ever before. Research suggests that digital media spend will jump to 24 percent in 2020 — up from 15 percent in January 2019. Marketers will spend more money on video, display, search, and other verticals next year.

Working with a marketing agency is paramount if you want to achieve your digital marketing goals in the next year (and the next decade). The problem is, not all marketing agencies are the same. Many agencies are stuck in the past. Some of them are still stuck in 2010.

Here's why you need a new digital marketing agency to celebrate the new decade.

How to Choose a Digital Marketing Agency in 2020

As we close the decade, not all marketing agencies are looking forward. Some of them are still using the same old marketing methods from two, five, even 10 years ago. These companies still stuff content with keywords, for example. (Many agencies are completely unaware that Google's search algorithms change frequently and penalize sites that aren't optimized properly.) They rely on old software. They don't keep up with the latest marketing trends and technologies.

Working with these marketing agencies might seem like a good idea, but they could jeopardize the reputation of your company. Instead, you should be looking for an  and strategically using modern techniques to optimize your pages, increase online visibility, and move prospects through your marketing funnels.

Here are some of the big technologies that provide you with real value at the end of this decade. Choose an agency that uses these techniques:

AI

More companies are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to engage with customers and improve marketing outcomes. Once upon a time, this technology appeared on the pages of science fiction novels but, today, it's a reality, and marketers are using it to their advantage.

Did you know that top-performing companies are more than twice as likely to use AI for marketing than other companies?

Marketing Automation

Some marketing agencies are still using manual marketing methods to target prospects, but this can be a long and laborious process — and one that's prone to human error.  is a technique that automates many of the processes associated with marketing.

"Many marketing departments automate repetitive tasks such as email marketing, social media posting, and even ad campaigns — not just for the sake of efficiency, but so they can provide a more personalized experience for their customers," says HubSpot. "The technology of marketing automation makes these tasks easier."

Predictive Marketing

Predictive analytics lets you make accurate predictions about future marketing outcomes based on historical data and other information. It's one of the most effective digital marketing techniques right now, and it will help you outrank your rivals.

Research shows that companies that use predictive analytics improve customer effort scores, increase customer profit margins, and engage better with prospects.

Modern Web Design

Web design is constantly evolving. Websites from 2010 look really dated now, and even sites from just a couple of years ago look primitive — that's how fast web design develops.

Web design is one of the most important aspects of your digital marketing strategy because your website is often the first thing customers see. You need to invest in this technology if you want to generate more customers, leads, and sales.

Mobile Search

More of your consumers are searching for products and services like yours on their smartphones and tablets. If you haven't optimized your webpages for mobile yet, you could be losing out on cold, hard sales.

Research shows that more than half of all smartphone users have discovered a new product or company while searching on their smartphone, while 46 percent of Americans check their phones before they get out of bed in the morning.

High-Level Data Analysis

The latest analytics provide you with deep insights into your customers so you can fine-tune future marketing campaigns. The best metrics generate unparalleled customer intelligence so you can make smarter marketing decisions and grow your business.

Choose an agency that utilizes the latest key performance indicators and other high-level data analysis.

Voice Search

As of 2019, 65 percent of 25-49 year-olds speak to voice-enabled devices like smart speakers at least once a day. As a result, these technologies provide you with plenty of marketing opportunities. Incorporating voice search into your digital marketing campaigns could provide you with a significant return on your marketing spend. ou

Why Now is a Good Time to Switch Marketing Agencies

It will soon be a new year and a new decade, so this is a good a time as any to review your digital marketing strategies. Working with a new agency could be a great idea if you want to grow your business well into the next 10 years.

At the very least, 2020 is a good year to audit your current marketing agency and make sure they are using the latest technologies and trends. If they aren't, you might not be able to compete with your rivals.

So many agencies become complacent. They work with clients, generate good results, and then stick to these methods in order to duplicate their success. The problem is, these agencies eventually fail to stay in touch with the latest trends and designs.

Takeaway

The tools and technologies above are necessary to compete in today's ever-competitive business climate. As we move closer to 2020, it's imperative that you incorporate these methods into your digital marketing strategies.

Reviewing your current digital marketing agency in the new year — and working with another one if you're not satisfied — will help you grow your business for years to come.

Looking for a digital marketing and web design agency that will keep your company relevant in 2020 and beyond? Click here to find out more!