Six marketing executives have launched a business that promises to keep online agencies and developers accountable by making independent, quality digital audits accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Independent Digital Audit (IDA) pledges to save firms thousands of dollars and increase transparency in the often nebulous world of digital marketing.
IDA offers to review and improve every Australian SME’s online visibility and performance, providing bespoke reports containing clear and actionable advice on how to improve return on investment.
IDA is the brainchild of media and marketing leaders including Slingshot CEO Simon Rutherford, former Publicis and Ogilvy CEO Andrew (Billy) Baxter, marketer David Morgan, founding partner of Slingshot Steve Douglas, and Slingshot’s chief innovation officer Simon Corbett.
The five are partners in, and advisors to IDA, which will be run by former 10, Fairfax and Condè Nast executive Steve Douglas, as managing director, with ex-Roy Morgan general manager John La Rosa as GM.
Steve Douglas said “A business’s online presence has never been more vital to its success, yet the average Aussie SME is overwhelmed by its dependence on digital channels, and lacks the time, budget or know-how to improve it.
"As trusted and independent advisors, IDA acts as the next essential service, rectifying small businesses’ inaccessibility to honest, transparent and affordable digital help”.
Simon Rutherford: “Whilst there are lots of search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and Google specialists in the market, none of them looks at the whole picture in detail nor provides a priority list of what needs to be fixed. We do both. We do not up-sell, we just provide honest feedback of what is working and what is not.
"Clients are armed with the knowledge of what needs to be done. We are independent and transparent, working hand in hand with business advisors, accounts, digital developers and governing bodies - anyone who looks after the best interests of their clients.”
Andrew Baxter said: “You are constantly in the business and not working on it. Who with their hand on their heart could confidently say that they know how well their online marketing is performing? Most SME owners do not have the time or the inclination to dive deeply into their online marketing ecosystem to ascertain how well they are performing. But it is vitally important to their growth as a business that they are doing well. So, we are going to help them.
“So many small business owners don’t know a lot about their online customers, as online brings a level of anonymity to the purchase cycle. The IDA audit gives these business owners a first-hand glimpse of who they are and their needs and wants. This is crucial to building your business plan and growing your online ecoms channel."
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.