Creative advertising agencies have the expertise and a wide range of resources to develop strategies to increase your business’s brand visibility. An advertising agency can handle the marketing for your business, allowing you to focus on other areas of your business.

According to EMARKETER, an advertising agency specializes in creating and executing client advertising campaigns. This involves developing strategies to reach target audiences through various media channels and creating advertisements for those channels.

There are many different types of advertising agencies, and not all offer the same services. Some agencies specialize in specific services, like digital advertising or traditional media. In contrast, others may be full service and provide everything from creative design work and social media advertising to pay-per-click (PPC) marketing, content creation, and more. When talking with agencies you’re interested in hiring, ask what they offer and consider whether that aligns with your business’s advertising goals.

Before you decide to hire an advertising agency, consider your needs and your budget. What advertising services do you need to hire for, and which services are unnecessary? Then, determine how much you’re willing to spend on these services.

Keep in mind that you may be unfamiliar with some advertising and media channels. Be open-minded and determine how much wiggle room your budget has if the agency recommends an advertising strategy you didn’t consider before.

If you’re unsure whether to hire an agency or a full-time advertising employee, consider the costs of both scenarios. Depending on the employee wages and benefits your business offers, hiring a full-time employee may cost more or less than hiring an agency.

To find an advertising agency that best fits your business’s needs, Forbes recommends interviewing candidates and inviting them to pitch their services. If you’re debating between multiple agencies to hire, consider doing an RFP (a request for proposal) to ask advertising agencies to answer the logistical questions (cost, services offered, industry expertise) and pitch their creative ideas for your needs. This will help your business see which agency is the best fit.

You can also ask the agency about their current and previous clients. Asking to see the agency’s previous work for clients can help you gauge whether the agency offers services and results that align with your type of business and your brand strategy goals. In addition, you should ask if the agency is currently working with any of your competitors.

Each ad agency charges its clients differently for its services. Ask the agency you plan to work with about how you will need to pay for their services, whether it’s a flat fee, an hourly rate, or based on other metrics like campaign performance.

When hiring an advertising agency, remember to look for the BBB Seal—it’s The Sign of a Better Business^SM and means you’re working with a BBB Accredited business. Accredited Businesses adhere to the BBB’s Standards for Trust.

For business tips on marketing and advertising, visit BBB’s Business Content HQ. Learn about the different business resources offered by BBB and see what BBB Accreditation can do for your business.