Daniel Slavenie, Limitless Agency: Our solutions for clients must be precise, data-driven, and fast

Miruna Macsim 12/03/2024 | 16:40

In this exclusive interview with Business Review, Daniel Slavenie, CEO of Limitless Agency, offers a panoramic view of the company’s inception, growth, and strategic direction in the digital marketing industry. He recounts the pivotal merger that led to the agency’s establishment and highlights the use of AI and data analytics as key differentiators. As a veteran in the industry, Slavenie articulates how Limitless Agency confronts the challenges of e-commerce in Romania and details the technological advancements propelling the agency forward. This narrative paints a vivid picture of an organization at the forefront of innovation, poised for international expansion and committed to redefining the digital marketing landscape.

 

Could you tell us more about the background and mission of Limitless Agency and how it was established, and tell us about your journey so far in the digital marketing industry and what sets your agency apart from others?

My experience in digital marketing and entrepreneurship spans over 15 years, during which I have been involved in various projects. Limitless Agency was born in 2022 from the merger of MoLoSo and SEO Cupcake agencies, both specialized in online marketing, with over a decade of market presence. The evolution of these two companies brought us together – we shared the same values and principles, so the merger made perfect sense – the two services complemented each other perfectly. We have become a leader in the field through comprehensive business promotion services, and with the merger, a new department, Data & Analytics, was created to provide clients with added value.

We venture into less explored territories and remain authentic – this defines us as a team of 100 digital marketing experts. We have our technology, which we also provide to other agencies, helping us manage campaigns much more efficiently. At Limitless Agency, we have worked with over 2,500 companies for SEO campaigns, PPC, online campaign creation, strategy, implementation, and automated marketing, and we manage budgets of over 40 million euros annually. Our agency partners with Google, Meta, TikTok, and Petal Ads.

Can you share insights into the emerging trends and challenges that you foresee in the digital marketing industry over the next few years and how Limitless Agency intends to navigate them to achieve its growth targets?

The digital marketing market in Romania is continuously growing, in a maturing process that has not yet concluded. The progress comes from both the development of the e-commerce industry and the fact that more and more companies are turning to promotion channels that bring them quick results. Therefore, our solutions for clients must be precise, data-driven, and fast. Regarding the e-commerce market, there are several challenges we face – from increased external competition or unfair practices to difficulties in order delivery and lack of personnel. However, all of these challenges can be overcome through investments in automation and promotion

Given the dynamic nature of the digital marketing industry and rapid technological advancements, how does Limitless Agency plan to adapt its business strategies to stay competitive and relevant in the coming years?

Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, so accurate analyses regarding Romanian consumer trends are vital. For this, automated solutions are needed to analyze data, figures, products, so that the online store can offer what sells best and reach the customer in the most efficient way possible. That’s why we continuously invest in data management and AI.

What are some of the most common mistakes you’ve observed among Romanian entrepreneurs with online stores, and how can they improve their business strategies for long-term success?

The lack of a solid business plan developed from the beginning is perhaps the most common mistake made by an entrepreneur with an online store. You need to know where you’re heading and what your objectives are, including obstacles you foresee, right from the start. If you don’t have a clear, long-term vision, and your goal is just to sell online, to be there because that’s where the customers are, and the focus is not on creating a business as a whole, then this can lead to failure. You need to know the market you’re operating in very well; the rules are the same, and being online doesn’t mean that results will come automatically.

In the dynamic e-commerce market, what challenges do entrepreneurs face, and how is artificial intelligence playing a role in addressing these challenges?

According to the data analyzed by us, we have identified a series of challenges faced by e-commerce entrepreneurs, including a decrease in the number of orders and weaker sales, high competition, issues with stocks and suppliers, lack of predictability, and increasing expenses. Automations and AI are allies in e-commerce – they can analyze customer data and provide personalized, relevant recommendations and solutions. Properly implemented AI can significantly contribute to the user’s journey and experience on the website. The benefit is evident, increasing the conversion rate and the average value of purchases. In essence, if you have an online store, with the help of AI, you can know exactly which product to sell, when, and on which channel.

How does Limitless Agency utilize AI and other technologies to help clients in e-commerce optimize their business operations and marketing campaigns?

We have continuously invested and are investing in technology because it is part of the recipe for success. To achieve results online, specialists, access to data, and automation are needed. A concrete example – within the agency, we have developed a tool to help online stores advertise products that best fit potential customers. Matching products with people. By using the tool, companies can gain predictability, determine the return on ad spend (ROAS) down to the product level, and identify which products to promote for greater profitability. This tool can be integrated with Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram, and other platforms. It helps increase sales and optimize advertising budgets because only those products that generate revenue are promoted

You previously mentioned that Romanians tend to avoid online shopping due to a lack of trust. What strategies or approaches do you recommend to build trust among Romanian online shoppers?

From our data, we’ve noticed that some people don’t buy online because they can’t find complete product information. For example, technical specifications, photos, descriptions, and reviews. If they had this information, their level of trust would increase because people want to see and compare before they buy. Therefore, providing these data to potential buyers is essential for those who want to increase their sales. It’s important for an online store to keep up with technology and customer requirements, especially in the face of increasing competition. And subsequently, analyze the feedback provided to improve their offerings. That’s why investments in development, automation, and promotion are needed, for example, through online campaigns, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and SEO.

Could you share insights into the current state of the e-commerce market in Romania, and what growth opportunities do you foresee for this industry in the near future?

According to the eBook “eCommerce Growth Strategies,” the largest report of data and growth strategies for online stores in Romania conducted by us, the local e-commerce market will become a regional benchmark – with annual growth rates exceeding the global average of 10%. By 2025, the market will reach a total value of 10 billion euros, up from approximately 7 billion euros this year. Our data shows that the e-commerce market has significant growth potential, considering that currently, less than 50% of Romanians shop online, even though 90% of them have internet access. In Northern European countries, the percentage of online shoppers exceeds 90%. The expansion of internet access, new technologies, and the simplification of online shopping are driving this growth, so the market is estimated to reach an average income of 900 euros per user in 2027, up from 484 euros per user in 2022. At that time, the e-commerce market will reach a value of nearly 12 billion euros.

What specific technologies and tools are being employed by Limitless Agency to help online retailers better understand customer behavior and offer personalized product recommendations?

I would mention the technology developed for online stores, which provides labeling, feed management, and product segmentation through a smart approach. Based on internal data, online stores can effectively promote their performance marketing campaigns, leading to increased revenue and decreased costs.

Looking ahead, what are Limitless Agency’s plans for expanding its presence in the international market, and what key objectives does the company aim to achieve over the next five years?

One of our most important objectives for the coming years is expansion into foreign markets. In five years, we aim to become relevant in multiple English-speaking countries, and we have already taken several steps in this direction. In the domestic market, we aim to consolidate our position; we already manage budgets of tens of millions of euros, but we do not want to stop there, as there is still growth potential in Romania. We will continue with the investments currently underway, further developing areas such as data management, AI, or B2B marketing. We will always come up with innovative solutions and often alternatives to established platforms.

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Miruna Macsim | 12/04/2024 | 17:28
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