Promotional items. Advertising gifts. Marketing gifts. Customized promotional gifts. Corporate business gifts. Whatever you want to call them, promotional business items are big business, and there are dozens of business gift companies vying for your business. With everyone out to get a chunk of your marketing budget, how do you choose which business gift companies to honor with your trade? Here are some questions to ask yourself – and a company representative – to help you decide on the best business gift companies for your firm.



Is the company more than just a sales outlet?

Many business gift companies do nothing but serve as a conduit for sales. You order from them and they order from another company. A reputable, expert company will have an art department to help you translate your logo to the appropriate produce, and a production department that will follow your order from start to finish to be sure that you get what you need when you need it. Many of them also have experts in marketing on hand to help you develop your campaign and make suggestions for appropriate products that fit your mission and will make an impact.

How well do they know their products?

You'll have questions about the products you see in the catalog, and a good business gift company should be able to answer them quickly and easily. Their representatives will know the quality of the products that they sell, and can steer you to the best quality items in your budget and marketing needs range. Expert advice is one of the services you should expect from a promotional items supplier. The best business gifts companies will work with you to find the products that you want – and some may even be able to design specialty products just for you.

How long have they been in business?

Just as in any other business, longevity counts. A business that has been around for a while has formed their own relationships with suppliers and other vendors, as well as with distributors and other people that you'll need to make sure your event goes off without a hitch. Those relationships will serve you as well as them. A well-known company has the leverage to get your order processed and shipped quickly and efficiently, and the pull to be sure that your products get special treatment in the mix.

And of course, there's no substitute for experience when it comes to helping your business. A business gifts company that's been around for a while has seen nearly every type of marketing promotion, and can give you advice on the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities of which to take advantage. Who else would know that imprinted chocolate bars are an absolute no-no for a late July event in Coventry – unless you want melted chocolate all over your guests?

Are they reliable? Will they be there when you need them?

When you need answers, you need them now, not tomorrow morning. Small business gifts companies may not have the staff to handle your questions and concerns at any time. Work with a company that has the staff to devote to your order so that they're available when you need them to be available. Also take the time to check with previous customers to find out if products were delivered on time and the quality was as expected. A reputable business gift company will be happy to give you references.

The bottom line is that the business gift company that you choose will affect your bottom line. A company that delivers slipshod work will make YOUR company look bad, not theirs. Take the time to do a bit of research to be sure you're doing business with the best.