The Complete Guide to Hiring Digital Marketing Services: What You Need to Know Before You Invest

Let’s be real for a second. You didn’t start your business to become a digital marketing expert. You started it because you’re passionate about what you do. Whether that’s helping clients, creating amazing products, or providing services that make a difference.

But here’s what happens: You build this incredible business, and then you realize that no one can find you online. Your website sits there like a beautiful storefront on a road nobody drives down. Your social media feels like you’re shouting into the void. And SEO? Well, that still feels like alphabet soup.

If you’re nodding along, you’re in the right place. At Wasson Management + Marketing, we work with businesses just like yours every single day. As a female-led digital marketing agency based right here in Iowa, we understand the unique challenges small business owners face, especially when you’re trying to do everything yourself.

This guide is designed to feel like a consultation you can read at your own pace. By the end, you’ll know exactly which digital marketing services make sense for your business, when it’s time to get help, and how to find a partner who actually gets what you’re trying to build.

Understanding Digital Marketing Services: What’s Actually Available?

Digital marketing isn’t a single service, it’s more like a toolkit. And just like you wouldn’t use a hammer for every home repair project, you don’t need every digital marketing service all at once. Let’s break down what’s actually out there and, more importantly, what might make sense for your business right now.

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Your Long-Term Growth Engine

Think of SEO as planting a garden. You’re not going to see tomatoes tomorrow, but if you prepare the soil, plant the right seeds, and tend to them consistently, you’ll have fresh produce for months (or even years) to come.

What SEO Actually Is: SEO is the practice of optimizing your website so it shows up higher in search engine results when people search for what you offer. When someone in Des Moines types “best bakery near me” or “Iowa marketing consultant,” you want to be one of the first results they see.

Why It Matters for Your Business:

• Visibility: Higher rankings mean more people discover your business before they find your competitors
• Credibility: Showing up on the first page of Google builds trust with potential customers
• Cost-Effective: Unlike paid ads, organic traffic doesn’t stop when you stop paying
• Long-Term Results: Good SEO compounds over time—the work you do today keeps working for you months and years later

What Good SEO Actually Involves:

• Keyword Research: Understanding exactly what your ideal customers are searching for
• On-Page Optimization: Making sure each page on your website is structured to rank well
• Technical SEO: Ensuring your website loads fast, works on mobile, and is easy for search engines to understand
• Content Strategy: Creating valuable content that answers your audience’s questions
• Link Building: Earning credibility through connections with other reputable websites
• Local SEO: Making sure you show up when people search for businesses in your area

Real Talk About SEO: SEO takes time—usually 3-6 months before you see significant results. It requires consistent effort. But here’s the thing: it’s one of the highest-ROI marketing investments you can make. When you combine content marketing and SEO, you create a system that brings in qualified leads on autopilot.

Signs You Need SEO Help:

• Your website isn’t showing up on the first page of Google for relevant searches
• Your competitors are outranking you
• You don’t have time to keep up with Google’s constant algorithm changes
• You’ve tried DIY SEO but haven’t seen results
• You’re getting traffic, but it’s not the right kind of traffic

2. Content Marketing: Building Trust Through Value

If SEO is the garden, content marketing is the harvest. It’s what you give people when they show up at your door.

What Content Marketing Actually Is: Content marketing is creating and sharing valuable information that helps your audience solve problems, make decisions, or learn something new. This includes blog posts, videos, social media content, email newsletters, guides, infographics, and more.

Why It Matters for Your Business:

• Authority: When you consistently share helpful information, you become the go-to expert in your field
• Connection: Good content feels like a conversation, not a sales pitch
• SEO Boost: Every piece of optimized content is another opportunity to rank in search results
• Customer Education: Content helps people understand why they need what you offer
• Sales Support: Your content can answer common questions before prospects even reach out

What Effective Content Marketing Looks Like:

• Strategic Planning: Creating content based on what your audience actually needs (not just what you want to talk about)
• Consistency: Showing up regularly with valuable information
• Multiple Formats: Blogs, videos, social posts, emails and meeting people where they are
• Authenticity: Content that sounds like you, not like it was written by a robot
• Purpose: Every piece of content has a goal, whether that’s education, engagement, or conversion

Real Talk About Content Marketing: Creating great content takes time and strategy. You’re competing for attention in a world where everyone is scrolling fast. The businesses that win are the ones who consistently provide real value without always asking for something in return.

Signs You Need Content Marketing Help:

• You don’t know what to write about or how often to post
• You start blog posts but never finish them
• Your content doesn’t seem to attract the right audience
• You’re inconsistent because you’re too busy running your business
• You know you should be creating content but have no idea where to start

3. Social Media Management: Meeting Your Customers Where They Already Are

Your customers are on social media right now. The question is: are you showing up in a way that makes them want to work with you?

What Social Media Management Actually Is: It’s more than just posting pretty pictures. Real social media management includes strategy, content creation, community engagement, analytics, and adapting based on what’s working.

Why It Matters for Your Business:

• Brand Awareness: People need to see your name multiple times before they remember you
• Community Building: Social media lets you create genuine connections with customers
• Customer Service: Many people reach out on social media first when they have questions
• Personality: It’s where you show the human side of your business
• Traffic Driver: Every post is an opportunity to send people back to your website

What Effective Social Media Management Includes:

• Platform Selection: Focusing on the platforms where your ideal customers actually spend time
• Content Calendar: Planning ahead so you’re not scrambling for something to post
• Engagement: Actually responding to comments and messages (not just broadcasting)
• Visual Branding: Creating graphics and videos that look professional and on-brand
• Analytics: Understanding what content resonates and adjusting accordingly
• Paid Social: Boosting important content to reach beyond your current followers

Real Talk About Social Media: Social media moves fast, and algorithms are constantly changing. What worked six months ago might not work today. It’s time-consuming, and if you’re being honest, it’s probably not the best use of your time as a business owner.

Signs You Need Social Media Help:

• You post sporadically because you forget or don’t know what to say
• Your engagement is low or nonexistent
• You have no idea which platforms actually matter for your business
• You’re spending hours on social media but not seeing results
• You know you need a strategy but don’t have time to create one

Learn more about how different types of digital marketing work together to amplify your results.

4. Online Business Management (OBM): The Behind-the-Scenes Secret Weapon

This is the service most people don’t know they need until they discover it. An OBM is like having a chief operating officer for your marketing and operations, someone who makes sure everything actually gets done.

What Online Business Management Actually Is: An OBM handles the operational side of your business so you can focus on revenue-generating activities. They’re not just a virtual assistant, they’re strategic partners who understand business operations and help you scale.

Why It Matters for Your Business:

• Time Freedom: Stop spending your evenings catching up on admin work
• Strategic Implementation: Having great ideas means nothing if they never get executed
• Systems and Processes: Creating repeatable systems that make your business run smoother
• Project Management: Keeping launches, campaigns, and initiatives on track
• Accountability: Someone who ensures things don’t fall through the cracks

What an OBM Actually Does:

• Project Management: Planning, coordinating, and executing business initiatives
• Team Management: Overseeing contractors, freelancers, or employees
• Client Management: Handling onboarding, follow-ups, and communication systems
• Operations: Setting up and refining the behind-the-scenes processes
• Strategic Support: Helping you implement your vision in practical ways
• Marketing Coordination: Ensuring all your marketing efforts work together cohesively

Real Talk About OBM: If you find yourself constantly busy but never moving forward, if you have ideas that never get implemented, or if you’re the bottleneck in your own business, you probably need an OBM. They’re the difference between having a business that runs you versus running your business.

Signs You Need an OBM:

• You’re the bottleneck. Everything requires your involvement
• Projects stall halfway through because you get pulled in other directions
• You don’t have systems in place for client onboarding, proposals, or follow-ups
• You’re spending time on tasks someone else could handle
• You want to scale but don’t have the operational foundation to support growth

5. Paid Advertising (PPC): Quick Wins and Immediate Visibility

Sometimes you need results now, not six months from now. That’s where paid advertising comes in.

What PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising Actually Is: Paid ads put your business in front of your ideal customers right now. You pay each time someone clicks on your ad, hence “pay-per-click.” This includes Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and more.

Why It Matters for Your Business:

• Immediate Results: Your ads can start running (and bringing traffic) within hours
• Precise Targeting: Reach exactly the right people based on location, interests, demographics, and behaviors
• Measurable ROI: Track every dollar spent and every conversion gained
• Testing Ground: Quickly test messaging and offers to see what resonates
• Competitive Advantage: Show up even when you don’t rank organically yet

What Effective PPC Includes:

• Strategy: Choosing the right platforms and campaign types for your goals
• Audience Research: Understanding who you’re targeting and what they care about
• Ad Creation: Writing compelling copy and designing eye-catching visuals
• Landing Pages: Creating dedicated pages optimized for conversions
• Bid Management: Optimizing your bids to get the best results for your budget
• A/B Testing: Continuously testing and refining to improve performance
• Analytics: Tracking what’s working and adjusting what isn’t

Real Talk About PPC: Paid advertising can be incredibly effective, but it can also burn through your budget quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing. It works best when combined with other strategies, for example, using PPC to drive quick results while your SEO efforts build momentum in the background.

Signs You Need PPC Help:

• You need leads or sales quickly (like for a launch or promotion)
• Your organic reach isn’t enough to meet your goals
• You’ve tried running ads yourself but lost money
• You want to test new markets or offerings quickly
• You have a budget for advertising but don’t know how to spend it effectively

When Is It Actually Time to Hire Help? The Honest Signs You’re Ready

Here’s the truth: most business owners wait too long to get marketing help. They think they should be able to figure it out themselves, or they’re worried about the cost, or they’re not sure if they’re “ready” yet.

But here’s what we’ve learned from working with over 40 businesses: The best time to hire help is usually right before you think you need it.

Let’s walk through the signs that it’s time to stop DIY-ing your digital marketing:

Sign #1: You’re Spending More Time ON Your Business Than IN Your Business

If you’re spending your evenings writing blog posts, your weekends scheduling social media, and your lunch breaks trying to figure out Google Analytics, something’s got to give.

Your zone of genius is probably not digital marketing, it’s the actual thing you do for your clients or customers. Every hour you spend struggling with SEO is an hour you’re not spending growing revenue, serving clients, or developing your products.

Ask yourself: What’s your time worth? If you charge $150/hour for your services but spend 10 hours a week on marketing tasks you’re not good at, you’re effectively losing $1,500 per week in potential revenue.

Sign #2: Your Results Have Plateaued (Or Are Going Backward)

You had some initial success. Maybe you ranked for a few keywords, got some social media engagement, or had a good month or two. But now? Things have stalled. Traffic is flat. Engagement is down. And you have no idea why or how to fix it.

This is completely normal. Digital marketing requires constant adaptation. Algorithms change, competitors get smarter, and what worked last year doesn’t work this year. If your results have plateaued, it’s not because you’re not smart enough—it’s because you don’t have time to stay on top of all the changes.

Sign #3: You’re Completely Overwhelmed

You know you need a website that loads faster and should be blogging. You know you need to post on social media more consistently, be building an email list…. We know that you know, you know, you know.

But every time you sit down to actually do these things, you feel paralyzed. There’s too much to learn, too many moving pieces, too many conflicting opinions online about what you “should” be doing.

Overwhelm is a sign that you need someone who can cut through the noise, create a clear strategy, and just handle it for you.

Sign #4: You’ve Tried DIY and It’s Not Working

Maybe you’ve taken courses, watched YouTube tutorials or read every blog post about SEO you can find. You’ve tried, genuinely tried, but the results just aren’t there.

This doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’ve reached the point where you need expertise. Digital marketing is its own profession for a reason. It’s okay to be great at what you do and let someone else be great at marketing.

Sign #5: You’re Ready to Scale but Don’t Have the Foundation

You’re getting referrals. People love what you do. You’re ready to grow. But you don’t have the marketing systems in place to support that growth.

You need a steady stream of qualified leads, not just hoping for the occasional referral. Content that positions you as the expert is a must. You need systems that work on autopilot.

Scaling without the right marketing foundation is like trying to fill a bucket with holes in it. You might get some water in there, but you’re working way too hard for the results you’re getting.

Sign #6: You Want Your Evenings and Weekends Back

This one’s simple: You started your business for freedom and flexibility. But right now, you’re working more hours than you ever did in a corporate job, and a big chunk of that time is spent on marketing tasks you don’t enjoy.

If you want to reclaim your time without sacrificing your business growth, that’s a perfectly valid reason to hire help.

How to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Partner: What to Look For

Okay, so you’ve decided you’re ready to hire help. Now comes the hard part: finding the right fit.

Not all marketing agencies are created equal. Some are great at strategy but terrible at execution. Some are great at getting you results but awful at communication. And others promise the moon and deliver… well, a lot less than the moon.

Here’s how to find a partner who’s actually going to help your business grow:

Treat This Like Hiring a Key Employee (Because That’s What It Is)

You wouldn’t hire an employee without interviewing them, asking questions, and checking references. The same goes for hiring a marketing agency.

Questions to Ask:

• What’s your experience working with businesses like mine?
• Can you share case studies or examples of results you’ve achieved?
• What does success look like for clients in my industry?
• How do you measure results, and how often will I see reports?
• What happens if something isn’t working—how do you adapt?

Red Flags:

• Agencies that promise “first page of Google in 30 days” (that’s not how SEO works)
• Vague answers about their process or strategy
• Unable or unwilling to provide references or case studies
• Pressure tactics to sign a contract immediately
• Lock-in contracts that make it hard to leave if it’s not working

Understand Their Process and Communication Style

You need to know exactly how this partnership will work day-to-day.

Key Things to Clarify:

• Communication: How often will we talk? Weekly calls? Monthly reports? Email updates?
• Point of Contact: Will you have a dedicated account manager, or will you be passed around?
• Timeline: What’s realistic to expect, and when should you start seeing results?
• Your Involvement: How much input do they need from you, and how much of your time will this require?
• Reporting: What metrics will they track, and how will you know if it’s working?

The agency that’s right for you should have clear, transparent processes and should make you feel informed, not confused.

Make Sure There’s a Cultural Fit

This matters more than you might think. You’re going to be working closely with this team, trusting them with your brand’s voice and reputation.

Consider:

• Do they seem to genuinely understand and care about your business?
• Do their values align with yours?
• Are they easy to talk to, or do they talk over your head with jargon?
• Do you feel like a priority, or just another account?
• Do they listen to your input, or do they act like they know everything?

At Wasson Management + Marketing, we’re a female-led team based in Iowa who truly understands what it’s like to build something from the ground up. We know what it’s like to wear all the hats, to worry about cash flow, to want to grow but not at the expense of your values or your sanity.

Get Clear on Budget and ROI

Let’s talk money. Digital marketing is an investment, and like any investment, you want to know what kind of return you can expect.

Questions to Ask:

• What’s included in the monthly fee? (Don’t assume, ask for specifics)
• Are there any additional costs? (Like ad spend, tools, or one-time setup fees)
• What kind of ROI have your clients typically seen?
• How long does it usually take to see a return on investment?
• What happens if we need to pause or adjust the scope of work?

Budget Considerations: Be realistic about what you can afford, but also understand that effective digital marketing requires a real investment. If your budget is extremely limited, consider starting with one service (like SEO or content marketing) and adding more as you see results.

That said, there are options like GrowthIQ if you’re not quite ready for a full-service agency but still need strategic guidance and resources to implement marketing yourself.

Look for Transparency and Education

The best marketing partners don’t keep you in the dark—they educate you along the way. You should leave every meeting understanding a little bit more about how digital marketing works.

Good agencies:

• Explain their strategies in plain language
• Show you exactly where your money is going
• Celebrate wins with you and honestly discuss what’s not working
• Teach you what’s happening so you’re empowered, not dependent

Why Wasson Management + Marketing Might Be the Right Fit for You

Here’s what makes us different. We’re not going to promise overnight success or throw fancy jargon at you to sound smart. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and help you build a digital marketing system that actually works for your business.

We Actually Understand Small Business

We’re not a huge agency with hundreds of clients. Since launching, we’ve worked with over 40 businesses, and each one gets personalized attention. We know what it’s like to worry about making payroll, to juggle client work with business development, to feel like you’re always one step behind.

As a local Iowa team, we understand the unique dynamics of the Midwest market. We know how businesses operate here, how customers think here, and what it takes to stand out in communities where word-of-mouth still matters.

We’re Transparent About Everything

You’ll never wonder what we’re doing or why. We explain our strategies in real terms, show you exactly where your investment is going, and celebrate wins together while being honest about challenges.

No confusing jargon. No vague promises. Just straight talk about what’s working and what we need to adjust.

We Focus on Systems That Support Growth

It’s not enough to just do marketing tasks—you need systems that support sustainable growth. That’s why we combine digital marketing with online business management, ensuring you have both the visibility and the operational foundation to scale.

We help you build:

• Content systems that make publishing consistent and easy
• Client onboarding processes that wow people from day one
• Marketing workflows that run smoothly even when you’re focused elsewhere
• Reporting systems that show you exactly what’s working

We Care About Delivering Results, Not Just Activity

Anyone can post on social media or publish blog posts. What matters is whether those activities are actually moving your business forward.

We focus on metrics that matter:

• Are you getting more qualified leads?
• Is your website traffic increasing?
• Are you ranking for keywords that bring in customers?
• Is your engagement turning into actual business?

And when something’s not working, we tell you and we pivot. We’re not here to just check boxes—we’re here to grow your business.

Your Next Steps: Making the Decision That’s Right for You

By now, you should have a clearer picture of what digital marketing services are available, when you might need help, and what to look for in a partner.

Here’s what we recommend as your next steps:

Option 1: You’re Ready to Talk About Working Together

If you’re nodding along thinking “yes, this is exactly what I need,” let’s have a conversation.

Schedule a free consultation with our team. This isn’t a high-pressure sales call—it’s a genuine conversation about your business, your challenges, and whether we’re the right fit to help you.

We’ll ask questions about:

• What you’ve tried so far and what results you’ve seen
• What your business goals are for the next 6-12 months
• What’s keeping you up at night about your marketing
• What success would look like if we worked together

And we’ll be honest with you. If we don’t think we’re the right fit, we’ll tell you. If we think you need something different than what we offer, we’ll say that too.

Option 2: You’re Not Quite Ready for Full-Service Support

We get it. Maybe you’re earlier in your business journey, or maybe your budget is tight right now. That doesn’t mean you should go without support.

Check out GrowthIQ, our resource designed for business owners who want to manage their own marketing but need strategic guidance, templates, and systems to make it easier.

GrowthIQ gives you:

• Step-by-step marketing strategies you can implement yourself
• Templates and tools that save you time
• Clear guidance on what to focus on first
• The confidence to make smart marketing decisions
• Resources you can use at your own pace

It’s perfect for DIY-ers who just need a roadmap and the right resources.

Option 3: You’re Still Gathering Information

That’s totally fine. Keep reading, keep learning, and bookmark this guide so you can come back to it.

In the meantime, we’d love to stay connected. Explore more helpful resources on our blog about combining content marketing and SEO and understanding different types of digital marketing that might benefit your business.

The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Growing a business is hard enough without trying to become a digital marketing expert on top of everything else. You’re already juggling client work, operations, finances, and probably a dozen other responsibilities.

The businesses that thrive aren’t the ones where the owner does everything—they’re the ones where the owner focuses on what they do best and brings in experts for the rest.

Digital marketing is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make in your business. The right partner doesn’t just take tasks off your plate—they become a strategic partner in your growth.

Whether you work with us or someone else, we hope this guide has given you clarity on what you actually need and how to make a smart decision for your business.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s talk about how we can help you grow. Your business deserves to be seen by the people who need what you offer most. Let’s make that happen.