Your 3 Advertising Agency Must-Haves

It’s not quite catchy enough for ‘Family Fortunes’, but we recently asked a number of UK e-commerce business owners, “What are the 3 top things you look for in an advertising agency?” 

Any guesses? 

Well, our survey said…

☑️ Channel Expertise

☑️ Proven Success with E-commerce Growth 

☑️ Communication and Collaboration

There were a range of other answers (experience with content creation, audience segmentation, budget management, etc), but these three were the ones that came up repeatedly, and we can understand why. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, success hinges on a blend of expertise, continued learning, and a deep understanding of e-commerce dynamics. And for long-term success, trust, healthy communication, and collaboration are a client/agency MUST.

So, here we share our views on your top three, and why Nutshell could support you to crack that next advertising project.

1. Channel Expertise

Leading the team at Nutshell are Julie and Sophie, both self-confessed ads nerds with a collective experience that spans the intricacies of various online platforms. We have the qualifications (underpinned by Meta and Google Partnership badges), but also set aside time weekly to continually learn and update as the platforms evolve. We collaborate in specialist digital marketing forums, almost always have a course or programme on the go, and lean into our platform reps for up-to-date developments on each channel.

Google Ads Mastery

Whilst we all work across the platforms, a more profound understanding comes with specialising. Julie's expertise lies in harnessing the power of Google Ads. Her strategic approach involves increasing visibility and click thru rates with thorough keyword research, compelling ad copy, and a love of analytics…. but also boosting conversions and evening the playing field with strategic use of the newer AI-based Google tools - a great combination for growth-focused e-commerce.

Social Media Wizardry

Sophie, on the other hand, is our paid social secret weapon, leading the team with a deep understanding of user behaviour on platforms like Facebook and Instagram; she crafts detailed funnels which compliment bespoke user journeys, foster connection and drive conversions.

The Wider Tech Stack

Then add in the extended team expertise in Analytics, Shopify and Klaviyo for some multi-channel magic! 

2. E-commerce Excellence

Navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in the e-commerce realm requires attention to detail. From understanding the e-comm tech stack (Shopify and Klaviyo and Google Analytics are our faves) and seamlessly integrating multiple marketing channels for better reach and engagement… to advising on website conversion rate optimisation to make the most of every single click sent to the site - Nutshell boast a proven track record of e-commerce success.

Numbers don't lie, and neither do results. From niche startups to established online retailers, we have consistently delivered outstanding outcomes for our clients.

Case Study: Ancient and Brave 

In the health and wellbeing sector, Ancient + Brave’s collection of sustainably sourced high-grade collagen powders, MCT oil and blends have gained them recognition as one of the UK’s leading collagen brands.

In the first year working with Ancient + Brave, our goal was to achieve and then maintain a 20% increase on YOY sales steadily. Goals were repeatedly hit and stretched, and in the second year, more ambitious targets were realised through ads, culminating with the brand seeing 700% growth over the course of the year. This phenomenal upturn helped them secure investment for the next stage of their growth. Read the full case study here.

3. Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication has always been the core of our approach. We enjoy the relationships formed with clients and love nothing more than being seen as a trusted extension of the team. Understanding each business’s goals and challenges and incorporating values and tone into ads is really key to success.

We also understand that there is no one blueprint for success in e-commerce, and each business must plot its own journey and define what success looks like for them. Whilst we will always advise clients on where we feel we can have the greatest impact on growth, we are guided by our client's vision for how their brand develops.

Clarity in the feedback given to clients is also key. Our commitment to transparency is unwavering. With regular Zoom calls and campaign performance reports, we ensure our clients are always in the loop. Clear insights and actionable recommendations are delivered, fostering a partnership built on trust and shared success.

When it comes to choosing an agency to work with, we’ve no doubt that you’ll have a number of attributes on your wishlist, and getting an agency that understands that and aligns with your brand values can make all the difference to your online sales success. 

With a proven track record, expertise, data-driven insight, and a client-centric approach, Nutshell are ready to support new brands on their e-commerce journey. 

If 2024 is the year that you’re serious about growing your business with ads, we’d be happy to have a chat and advise on some groundwork to get you in the best shape for success. Book a call here.