The Internet just made things easier for marketers. With just a click of the mouse and a few pages of browsing, sourcing promotional products online is made easier. Years back, you would look up a promotional company on a telephone directory or seek a friend's recommendation. Today, typing a phrase on a search engine will bring you pages of promotional company listings. With so much information at your fingertips, how do you separate the chaff from the grain?

Reputation is, certainly, an important consideration. Do some research on the promotional company you are eyeing. How long has it been in business? Does it have a good reputation? Does it offer a wide range of giveaways? Dig up independent product reviews, recommendations, or complaints about it. Industry sites and online forums are your best sources of information, although searching randomly for the promotional company's name will surely lead you somewhere.

One question to ask is whether the supplier delivers as promised. When you put aside the marketing hype, does the promotional company make good on its $50 discount on first purchases? When it says free, does it really mean you pay nothing? You can discern product quality by asking for free samples from the promotional company. If you can get the sample personalized with your corporate logo, the better. Customer service should also be a factor in your decision. Do the company's reps respond promptly? Do they call too often too much?

A legitimate promotional company is open with its fees, especially shipping, deco charges, and other applicable expenses in personalization, so it should not have any problem generating a quotation. In fact, most companies can easily generate quotes and e-mail it to you. Compare prices when you are making a decision, and consider delivery time. Remember, part of your marketing success lies in your choice of a promotional products supplier. Choose well.