1. Define "Best" For You

Let's be honest: the word "best" gets thrown around more than confetti at a New Year's party. It's the best coffee shop. Best gym. Best pizza. And now? Best marketing agency in Canada.

But here's the thing: "best" is subjective. It depends entirely on your needs, business, goals, and vibe. What's best for one company might be wrong for another, and that's okay.

So before you even think about booking discovery calls or comparing agency websites, take a step back and ask yourself this critical question:

What does "best" mean for my business right now?

Start With the Goal

Are you trying to grow your online presence, launch a new service, increase lead quality, rank higher on Google, or dial in your email marketing? Each of those goals requires a different marketing strategy and possibly a different kind of agency.

It's like going to the doctor: You wouldn't visit a dermatologist if your ankle is broken. (Okay, maybe you would, but you'd walk out limping and disappointed.)

So here's a quick exercise:

Write down your top three marketing goals for the next 6–12 months. Be specific.

"Get more leads." → Great. But let's go deeper: Leads from where? Ads? SEO? Referrals?

"Improve our brand" → Awesome. What does that look like? A new website? Stronger messaging? Better photos?

"Grow our audience." → Cool. On which platform? Instagram? LinkedIn? Email?

Once you know what you want, you can identify agencies specializing in those areas. Not every agency does everything equally well, and that's not bad. It's a sign of maturity when an agency knows what they're great at (and what they're not).

Know Your Budget (and Be Realistic)

Nobody loves talking about budgets, but it matters. A lot.

You wouldn't go car shopping without at least a ballpark figure in mind, right? The same goes here. Knowing what you can comfortably invest in marketing helps narrow the field and sets realistic expectations for results.

A good agency will work within your budget or let you know if it's not the right fit. A great agency might even recommend a phased approach or suggest other solutions that make more sense right now (yes, that happens. The good ones play the long game).

And here's a little truth bomb: sometimes, the "best" agency for you isn't the biggest or the flashiest. It might be a smaller boutique shop that genuinely gets your business and gives you more 1:1 attention.

Know Your Working Style

Every agency has a different rhythm, energy, and communication style. Some are collaborative and hands-on, while others are more plug-and-play: you hand them the keys, and they deliver the work.

Neither is better or worse. It just depends on what you want.

Ask yourself:

Do I want to be involved daily or see monthly reports?

Do I prefer emails, calls, or Zoom?

How important is it to have a local team I can meet with?

Understanding your preferred working style can prevent future friction. And trust me, when the fit is right, everything feels smoother.

2. What to Look for in a Canadian Marketing Agency

Once you've defined your version of "best" in terms of goals, budget, working style, and the whole shebang, it's time to go shopping. Not the Amazon kind of shopping (though, yes, we all love a Prime Day deal), but the kind where you're investing in a partner who can help grow your business.

So, what makes a marketing agency stand out in a good way?

It's not just the flashy website or the fabulous team photo with matching hoodies. There's more to it than that. Here's what to really keep your eyes (and ears) open for:

1. Clear Specialization (or a Confident Generalist)

Some agencies are laser-focused: They only do SEO, are already a powerhouse, or specialize in eCommerce brands. Others are generalists with a full-service menu: social media, websites, email marketing, strategy, branding, you name it.

Neither is wrong, but you want to make sure what they do lines up with what you need.

If your goal is to get more local customers through Google, an agency that lives and breathes local SEO is more valuable than one built around national eCommerce growth.

And if you need an agency that can handle a bit of everything, that's okay, too. Just make sure they're not trying to be everything to everyone. Being a jack-of-all-trades is fine as long as they've got the results to prove it.

2. A Track Record of Results (Not Just Pretty Pictures)

Let's talk case studies.

Yes, it's fun to see gorgeous branding or clever Instagram captions. But what you really want to see is impact: What happened after the campaign launched? Did leads increase? Website traffic jump? Conversion rates go up? Did someone hit a revenue milestone?

Ask for data. Ask for context. A good agency will love to walk you through their wins (and if they're smart, they'll explain how those wins might translate for your business).

Also, don't get distracted by "big name" clients. Sure, that looks impressive on a homepage, but what matters more is whether they've worked with businesses like yours, the same size, the same challenges, and the same industry.

3. An Understanding of Your Industry (or a Willingness to Learn Fast)

You don't need an agency that only works with [insert your niche here], but it helps when they either: a) already understand your business model, or

b) ask great questions and do the homework to get up to speed quickly.

The best agencies are curious. They'll ask about your customer journey. Your biggest obstacles. What marketing you've tried before? What worked, and what flopped? They'll get into the weeds with you before pitching a plan.

This isn't just about research; it's about respect. Suppose they take the time to understand your world. In that case, they'll be far more likely to deliver marketing that feels authentic and works.

4. Transparent Communication (No Jargon, No Ghosting)

Pay attention to how they communicate in those early emails and calls. Are they clear? Are they responsive? Do they explain things without sounding like they swallowed a marketing textbook?

You want an agency that makes things feel more straightforward, not more confusing.

Red flags to watch for:

Vague pricing or "custom quotes" with zero details

Dodging questions about timelines or deliverables

Overusing buzzwords like "omnichannel synergy" (translation: huh?)

You deserve to know what's happening when it's happening, and how it's impacting your business. If you feel confused now, it won't magically get better later.

3. The "Gut Check" Culture and Chemistry

We've talked about goals. We've talked about skills and results. Now it's time for the last and arguably most important piece of the puzzle:

How does it feel to work with them?

This isn't fluffy stuff. Culture and chemistry matter a lot when you're choosing a marketing agency. Because even if they've got the proper skill set and shiny case studies, a mismatch in working style or communication can make the whole thing fall flat faster than a soggy pancake.

Here's why: hiring a marketing agency isn't a one-off transaction. It's a relationship. A partnership. And just like any great partnership, trust, communication, and vibe play a massive role in long-term success.

Let's break down what to look for.

1. Do They Ask Smart Questions?

In your early conversations, please pay close attention to the quality of their questions. Are they genuinely curious about your business? Do they dig into your goals, audience, and challenges? Or are they jumping straight into solutions without really listening?

The best agencies don't show up with a pre-packaged plan. They come in with curiosity. They want to understand your world before they start mapping out what to do next.

Some green flags:

They ask about your current marketing efforts (and what's worked or hasn't)

They want to know about your customers, not just who they are but what they care about

They listen more than they pitch in the first call

Suppose it feels like they're treating your business like just another "account," pause. Great marketing is personal, and your hiring agency should treat it that way.

2. Are They Clear and Respectful Communicators?

Let's be honest: no one has time for confusing reports, ignored emails, or endless rounds of "just checking in."

You want an agency that communicates consistently and respectfully.

Do they set clear expectations on timelines and deliverables?

Are they upfront about pricing and scope?

Do they respond on time?

A solid agency knows good communication is part of the service, not an afterthought. You should never feel like chasing them down for answers or wondering what's happening behind the scenes.

Also, how do they handle feedback? A good partner welcomes it. They're open to making adjustments and hearing your input because ownership is not a dictatorship.

3. Do You Like Talking to Them?

It's worth saying: Do you enjoy your conversations with them?

That little gut feeling you get after a Zoom call or email thread? Trust it.

Do they seem excited about your business?

Do they make you feel confident, not confused?

Do they bring good energy to the table?

You're about to collaborate on something important to your business. Suppose every interaction feels like pulling teeth or is off from the start. In that case, walking away is okay, even if it looks perfect on paper.

Look for a team that makes you feel heard, seen, and supported, not just at the pitch stage but throughout the relationship.

Bonus Tip: Talk to Their Clients

If you're close to deciding, don't hesitate to ask for references. A quick call or email exchange with a current or past client can reveal a lot about what it's really like to work with them.

Ask things like:

"What was it like communicating with their team?"

"Did they deliver what they promised?"

"How did they handle challenges or changes?"

If people light up when they talk about the agency, that's a great sign.

The Takehome

If you're looking to discover how we can be the best for you or at least guide you to an agency that would better serve your purposes, send us a message. We'd love to help, even if it's not with us, we know how much of a time-sink things can be when you don't know what to look for. So let us help!