How do I choose the right Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) agency?

Choosing the right Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) agency requires evaluating several critical factors to ensure your digital transformation delivers lasting value. The right partner brings certified expertise, proven results, strategic alignment with your business goals, and a commitment to supporting you beyond implementation.

Look for Certified Adobe Expertise

Your AEM agency should be a certified Adobe Solution Partner with deep technical knowledge of the platform. Clear Digital, for instance, holds certifications in Adobe Experience Cloud with expertise across Adobe AEM, Adobe Analytics, Adobe Marketo Engage, Adobe Commerce, and Adobe Campaign. This certification ensures your partner has access to Adobe’s engineering team, priority support, and the latest tools and technologies. AEM is a complex system that requires experience and expertise to effectively implement, so verified credentials matter.

Evaluate Their Track Record

Examine the agency’s portfolio and case studies to understand their experience with AEM implementations. Look for proven success with B2B organizations similar to yours, particularly those in your industry. A strong track record demonstrates the agency can navigate AEM’s complexities while delivering measurable business results—whether that’s increased engagement, improved conversions, or streamlined workflows.

Assess Strategic Partnership Capabilities

The best AEM agencies act as strategic partners, not just technical implementers. They should take time to understand your business goals, market position, and long-term digital roadmap. Look for an agency that asks probing questions, challenges assumptions, and proposes strategies aligned with your business objectives rather than simply executing your requests. Strong client service teams coordinate collaborative sessions to share trends, best practices, and tailored strategies that keep you ahead of the curve.

Prioritize Communication and Transparency

Effective communication sits at the heart of successful agency relationships. Your AEM partner should provide regular updates, maintain transparency about potential roadblocks, and actively seek your input throughout implementation. Establish clear expectations about project timelines, team composition, points of contact, and how collaboration will be structured. The quality of the client service team often determines how well you can work together long-term.

Ensure Ongoing Support and Optimization

AEM implementation doesn’t end at launch—your agency should provide comprehensive ongoing support including CMS updates, security patches, performance monitoring, and continuous optimization. The right partner helps you address features that fell out of scope initially, respond to user testing insights, and explore new capabilities as your needs evolve. Ask about their maintenance and support frameworks to ensure your AEM investment continues delivering results over time.

Understand Their Implementation Approach

Your agency should demonstrate expertise in AEM’s architecture, including planning site structure, creating reusable templates and components, and integrating with third-party tools. They should also provide comprehensive training to ensure your team can confidently manage the platform after launch. The best agencies work hand-in-hand with you throughout all project phases while keeping your business goals in clear focus.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you’ll find an AEM agency partner that delivers not just technical implementation, but strategic value that drives your digital transformation forward.