Monday, December 22, 2014

5 Tips for Selecting Ad Agency Reporting Software


 1. Integrates with current tools and software
Ad agency reporting software must be able to work with the other products that the company uses. Otherwise, the tried and true systems already in place won’t work and won’t be able to integrate with the new software. Rather than causing problems, the best option will easily integrate with current tools and software.

2. Has a good search feature
Time is money in business. When looking for the right piece of information, it is helpful for ad agency reporting software to have a robust and efficient search feature. Rather than using a narrow scope of search terms, it is best to be able to find information through a keyword in the report name, context, or content. That makes it possible to get what you need when you need it, without wasting time on exhaustive searches.

3. Real-time reporting capabilities
Business moves quickly. When issues arise, or people need information, the reporting software should track information in real-time. There is no substitute for the actual numbers as they are when making big decisions about changes to the marketing plan or company.

4. Can integrate multiple data sources
Most businesses these days utilize an extensive marketing mix, with data coming in from multiple sources. The ad agency reporting software needs to be able to keep up with the needs of clients and include all options, from a wide variety of marketing channels, to input from various company departments.

5. Usability with strong visuals
One of the most important characteristics of any ad agency reporting software is that it should be easy to learn, instal, and use. The installation should be simple, and not require the IT department to be working all day and continuously with updates and support. Strong visuals also help present complicated information in an easy to read format.

If you would like to learn more about ad agency reporting software, click here.

Does Your Agency Need a Marketing Reporting Solution?

A third party marketing reporting solution can help your agency from becoming bogged down with the endless task of tracking data and performing analytics. Web page views, social media shares, and PPC success can all be easily tracked and reported, which affects both the current and future marketing plan. The average marketing team may be talented, but not necessarily adept at the specific and intricate process of analytics. A third party reporting software can remove the burden from the staff, place it on a software designed to handle the situation, and then provide usable information in return.




When considering a marketing reporting solution, it is best to first consider the usability of the product. Some options are difficult to train on, while others require a substantial amount of setup and maintenance by the in-house IT department. The easier the product is to load and learn, the more it will be used, and the more it can help the business.

It is also important to consider an option with robust tracking and reporting options. Most companies have a number of different marketing channels. They each provide a different task for the marketing plan, so they are each different in the kind of data they provide. The right marketing reporting solution will be able to track all channels utilized by the company, from website views, to billboards, to traditional print. It will also be able to compile the data, analyze it, and then create comparable statistics. The strengths and weaknesses of each channel can be watched and the entire marketing plan tweaked, according to the results.

Also important is the reports that that can be run. A variety of report needs fit the variety of staff that need the reports. Some should be highly detailed, while others should give an overview. The right marketing reporting solution can generate excellent stock reporting options, but it can also be easily customized for particular uses. Analytics is only helpful if the content can be read and understood easily, so the results can be applied to future decision making.

Automatically emailed reports is another benefit of a good marketing reporting solution. Marketing staff are already busy with daily tasks and large marketing projects. It can be difficult to remember to schedule regular meetings to provide feedback on progress. In some software applications, the reports can be auto-generated monthly, quarterly, or annually and then sent to those that need the information, all without adding stress and tasks to staff itineraries.

If you would like to learn more about a marketing reporting solution, visit SnapReports.