In this episode of Shaping eCommerce host Tim Bucciarelli welcomes back Isaiah Bollinger from Trellis to discuss optimizing the client-agency relationships.
Key topics discussed in the podcast conversation are:
eCommerce Agency Specialization and Services: The discussion focuses on how some agencies choose to maintain a narrow focus on their area of expertise, while others like Trellis transitioned from niche areas to becoming full-service, addressing strategy and marketing in addition to eCommerce platform design, development and implementation.
What is a Full-Service Agency?: The concept of a "full-service" agency is explored, with Isaiah explaining the services Trellis offers and the areas where they currently have gaps. They discuss the challenges of being truly full-service and the importance of building partnerships with experts in specific areas.
Selecting the Right Agency: The conversation covers the considerations and challenges businesses face when selecting agencies, including the trade-offs between freelancers and agencies, expertise, and alignment with the agency's business model.
Rates and Expertise: The discussion touches on the rates charged by agencies and the distinction between agencies and staff augmentation. The importance of aligning past experience with the client's needs is emphasized, and the challenges of finding full stack developers and relying solely on freelancers are mentioned.
Characteristics of a Good Client and Agency: The qualities of a good client are discussed, including understanding the agency's business model, valuing different roles, and actively participating in the project. The characteristics of a high-quality agency are also highlighted, such as building long-lasting solutions and considering future scalability. The importance of project management and having a balanced team is emphasized. The section concludes with a discussion on openness, honesty, and candor in agency-client relationships.”