Websites, social media the most effective marketing avenues for accounting firms

“Firms with aggressive growth ambitions utilise multiple marketing channels – a diversified, online approach, and relationship-led initiatives. Offline effectiveness of digital presence strongly scales with growth outlook,” the report read.

“High-growth firms are three times more likely than moderate-growth firms and seven times more likely than conservative firms to rate their digital presence as very or extremely effective.”

Further, for many moderate-growth (52 per cent) and conservative (74 per cent) firms, digital presence was found to be “minimally effective” or “not effective at all”.

Additionally, the research revealed that high-growth firms were more confident in the ability of their websites and social media to attract new clients, with two in three (66 per cent) calling their digital presence “at least moderately effective,” and 29 per cent saying that it was “very effective” or “extremely effective”.

“High-growth firms don’t just show up online; they optimise their digital presence to capture and convert demand. What we are seeing is a clear strategic divide between those that treat digital as a growth engine and those that see it as a mere requirement,” said Michael Johnson (pictured), director at Agile Market Intelligence.

The findings revealed that high-growth firms consistently outspent the market on digital marketing, focusing on relationship-led initiatives such as referral programs, events and networking, and partnerships with professional organisations.

“The report reveals how high-growth firms differentiate themselves by investing in multiple marketing channels and paying attention to relationship-building opportunities,” Agile said.

“High-growth firms aren’t just spending more on digital, they’re blending it with relationship- driven strategies that actually convert prospects into clients,” Johnson said.