What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our website is now fully integrated and mobile responsive. We will host it on the Hubspot COS system for at least the next two years, and it’s optimized to utilize the system’s full array of tools and capabilities. This seems like a good investment, since we’ll need to change our website every three or four years.
While I don’t have quantitative metrics to share, the quality of their content writing and development is excellent. Following each meeting, they’ll compile a summary document that encapsulates how we want to frame our users, and capture this tone on the first attempt. I never have to edit, which is very rare, and they provide us with thoughtful feedback. We have yet to reject any of their suggestions.
While other organizations only delivered on one or two things after claiming the ability to complete a project, Square 2 actually delivered. Square 2 Marketing has pushed us faster than any other vendor, and it's making us more successful. We’ve had to slow the pace they’re used to from working with other clients, and we’ve still completed more in the nine months than we did in an entire year with another firm.
On a call within the first month, my director stated that he was "absolutely thrilled” with their work, which I’ve never heard him express about any vendor in the entire 12 years we’ve worked together —He does not give that level of praise lightly.
How did Square 2 Marketing perform from a project management standpoint?
I love working with them from this standpoint. We receive weekly status update by Monday morning, whether or not we had a scheduled call. Within an hour of our calls, they send summative e-mails. This documentation holds us accountable to promptly review and return materials. They keep their statements of work broad and flexible, and acknowledged any uncertainties about completing specific facets.
Communication has been fluid and responsive, and they don’t overwhelm us with superfluous contact. We hold monthly prioritization process to adjust our goals as needed. They have never told us we lacked sufficient points to complete a project, or that we’d have to wait. I no longer have to constantly say “no” to my colleagues’ ideas. Instead, they figure out what needs to be shifted from a 30- to a 60-day timeline, or what’s at stake if we pursue a “shiny” new idea. Rather than marketing against the service, we can collaboratively decide how to use the points and schedule the work. It was always our decision as to what was accomplished.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They’re definitely the best agency I've ever worked with. When we first brought them on, we were still working with a different agency, and the difference was night and day. Their value is tied to their agile marketing properties and principals, and exceeds what we pay for. In my experience with at least six other agencies, account managers are often reliant on a third party, and unequipped to promptly answer my questions. I’ve never experienced this lag in responsiveness from Square 2 Marketing, because I always have direct access to experts. The team is smart, accommodating, and has a good perspective. No agency I’ve worked with previously lives and breathes HubSpot like Square 2 Marketing.
Are there any areas they could improve?
While other agencies and service providers claim to want feedback, they often have a conflict-adverse mentality. Square 2 Marketing actually courts critique, asking tough questions and seeking brutally honest answers that will help them improve. This openness enables them to identify and overcome points of weakness things before they become debilitating
Advice for potential customers?
Patience is critical with anything in-bound related. It's a continual process. Many people expect miracle results when they begin working with SEO and inbound marketing, like a triple fold increase in visitors overnight, or metrics going off the charts in 30 days. Don't listen to fake emails that “guarantee results on first page of Google." Those people are lying. Even with the best content and agency in the world (including Square 2 Marketing), that's just not realistic. Aside from budget, it ultimately comes down to matching the content you feature to the search queries users care about.
After spending some time to understand the business and its USPs, S2M has met all their promised deliverables thus far. They collaborate smoothly with both the client and other third-parties, always carefully planning their work and demonstrating their industry knowledge.