Before hiring a digital service provider, define the problem before choosing the solution. A request such as “we need marketing” is too broad. A better scope explains the current situation, target audience, desired outcome, existing assets, deadline and any important technical limitations. A clear starting brief allows different providers to quote against the same requirement and makes proposals easier to compare. Ask what is included, what is excluded and what the final handover will contain. For websites this may include source files, access credentials, analytics setup and documentation. For marketing it may include campaign setup, creative quantities, reporting frequency and ownership of advertising accounts.
Confirm the scope, delivery dates, communication method, revision limits, ownership of final files and what happens after launch. Keeping these points in writing protects both the client and the provider and makes it much easier to resolve changes without confusion.