The latest research, insights, tools, and resources that make managing a digital shop easier,
How Agencies Build for the Web is Shifting
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Webinar: The Ultimate Digital Agency Tech StackJoin Marija and me Wednesday the 18th as we discuss how digital agency tool needs evolve as agencies grow, plus the top tools digital agencies use to run their shops! Join us live, or register to watch the webinar later. Maybe with a cold drink. Maybe on a beach. Or in a hammock. New Research: The Digital Agency Webdev Trend Report: 2024We took a deep dive into how agency webdev and design are shifting in light of everything that's been happening lately (AI). This report details the top trends and how they're affecting work at digital agencies. Here's an excerpt from the Executive Summary: Our survey results indicate that AI and automation are significantly transforming the web development and design industry. 52% percent of respondents identified AI as a key trend impacting their work. Developers are increasingly utilizing AI for code generation, with half incorporating it into their workflow, while designers primarily use AI for image editing and enhancement. However, this increased efficiency has heightened client expectations for faster development and tighter project timelines. Thanks to Productive, the report's free for everyone!
New Service: Research for Digital AgenciesOver the last few months, I've expanded our research capabilities for digital agencies. This is work that we do FOR digital shops ON their target markets. It came out of the need for more detailed information when constructing Repeatable Revgen Systems for agency clients. So far, it's been a lot of market sizing, industry research, ICP development, and buyer committee identification, but it's incredibly flexible and I think it could help a lot of medium-to-large-sized shops (25+FTEs). There aren't a lot of parameters around this service right now, but if there's something you'd like to learn about your target market, reach out, and I'll see if we can help. All the best, -Nick |
Research & Strategy for Digital Agencies
The latest research, insights, tools, and resources that make managing a digital shop easier,
TL;DR What the hell is WordPress doing? Take our <5min survey and let us know how the WP vs. WP Engine nonsense is impacting your shop. Many digital agencies have dismal or non-existent support between sales, marketing, and account management. (especially at the big agencies) When you get above 50-ish FTEs and are competing with bigger shops, you have to get more sophisticated on the revgen front. Cross-functional collaboration is a major way to improve your revgen game. Sales can support...
TL;DR Engagement: I’m planning out the 2025 research calendar now, and I’d love to hear about what you’d like to learn next year. Drop a comment to appease the algo gods, and give me some feedback on next year’s agency research! Referrals can drive massive agency growth, but it requires intentionality. AM is better positioned to ask for referrals than Sales, so have them own it. Sales should prioritize qualifying referral leads (they close faster). Bizdev should facilitate referral programs...
TL;DR Many agencies go through a kind of boom-and-bust cadence where leaders need to periodically jump in and reignite leadgen and sales. The boom-bust cycle many agencies endure makes it challenging to forecast, wreaks havoc on morale, and forces shops to hold a bigger cash/credit buffer than they’d otherwise need. There are multiple paths to stability, and they can include things like: consistent leadgen, account management expertise, increasing revgen velocity, growing your agency,...