The best digital marketing agencies help businesses increase their online presence and drive revenue through various services, including SEO, social media marketing, PPC, email marketing, conversion rate optimization, and more. Our industry experts curated a list of reliable service providers to help you find a trustworthy digital marketing agency for your business. Look into their agency profiles and client reviews to narrow down the most suitable partner.
We meticulously assessed over 8,000 service providers to select the best digital marketing agencies and help you find a premier agency partner with a proven track record to establish a strong online presence for your business. In the next section, we'll showcase unique qualities and ranking criteria to guide your business's right choice.
Table of Contents
The Number 1 Digital Marketing Agency as Selected by DesignRush Is:
1. SmartSites
- Best for: Overall
- Average Hourly Rate: $100
- Minimum Budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2011
- Size: 100 - 249
- Location: New Jersey
- Notable Clients: Dun & Bradstreet, Sharemoney, Print Crazee, Sentinel Consulting, and more
SmartSites, an award-winning website design, and digital marketing company, specializes in search engine marketing (SEO & PPC). Founded by brothers Alex and Michael Melen, SmartSites quickly became one of America's fastest-growing companies.
Their unwavering dedication to clients is evident through their impressive track record, with over 100 5-star reviews since their establishment in 2011. SmartSites achieved an outstanding 97% satisfaction score when evaluated by Dun & Bradstreet for service quality, showcasing their commitment to exceeding client expectations and delivering consistently exceptional results.
Check SmartSites Agency Profile
2. WebFX
- Best for: Innovative Approaches
- Average Hourly Rate: $150
- Minimum Budget: $10,000 - $25,000
- Founded: 1995
- Size: 500 - 999
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Notable Clients: HydroWorx, FujiFilm, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, YMCA, Subway, and more
WebFX is a highly successful B2B digital marketing company with a track record of delivering effective campaigns and tangible results. Their dedicated team helps clients achieve various goals, from increasing leads and phone calls to transactions and qualified website traffic. Clients can request a free strategy proposal for a customized plan designed to generate substantial revenues.
HydroWorx recognized the importance of SEO in its digital strategy and partnered with WebFX based on a referral. Maintaining a fruitful partnership for over seven years, WebFX not only enhanced HydroWorx's digital presence through SEO but also introduced innovative approaches like social media marketing, resulting in significant growth in online revenue.
Collaborating with WebFX led to a massive 236% increase in organic sessions and a 131% increase in organic contact form submissions for HydroWorx.
3. Intero Digital
- Best for: Advanced SEO & SEM Packages
- Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
- Minimum Budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 1997
- Size: 250 - 499
- Location: Colorado
- Notable Clients: Gaiam, Jaguar, Ace Hardware, Don Julio, Current, and more
Intero Digital, recently voted the #1 Digital Marketing Firm in America, has earned its place as one of the country's fastest-growing companies according to Inc 5000. With a diverse range of 13 digital marketing specialties and a nationwide presence supported by a workforce of over 400 employees, Intero Digital empowers clients worldwide to expand their digital presence.
In February 2017, Intero Digital teamed up with a small business electrician company, who signed up to their highest-level SEO & SEM package. Their objective was to generate phone calls and form submissions for bookings.
In July 2018, they briefly reduced their digital marketing budget to try another avenue before returning in August. The outcomes were remarkable, with a 1,613% increase in conversions, an 8,281% increase in conversion rates, and a 160% increase in sessions.
Check Intero Digital Agency Profile
4. NinjaPromo
- Best for: Online Presence Growth
- Average Hourly Rate: $25
- Minimum Budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2017
- Size: 100 - 249
- Location: New York
- Notable Clients: Intellectsoft, Debay, IQONIQ, Tripment, Paypolitan, Maecenas, and more
NinjaPromo, a leading B2B digital NFT marketing agency, offers cutting-edge multichannel marketing solutions and creative branding expertise to elevate your brand. Their comprehensive services cover social media management, SEO optimization, successful paid ad campaigns, influencer collaborations, email marketing, strategic PR initiatives, professional video production, website design and development, and powerful branding strategies.
Intellectsoft, a boutique digital consultancy, sought NinjaPromo to enhance its digital presence. Implementing solutions like blog articles, infographics, LinkedIn crowd marketing, a webinar video, TA portraits, technical content, reputation management, customer loyalty initiatives, and targeted social media advertising resulted in significant outcomes.
Intellectsoft experienced a remarkable 3x growth in subscribers, a 200% increase in engagement levels, and more than 300 social media posts. Their brand awareness skyrocketed with a 250% increase, reaching an impressive 700,000 monthly impressions.
Check NinjaPromo Agency Profile
5. Big Leap
- Best for: Strategic Campaigns
- Average Hourly Rate: $125
- Minimum Budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2008
- Size: 50 - 99
- Location: Utah
- Notable Clients: Visionworks, Pluralsight, BambooHR, Avis, EmpireToday, NuSkin, and more
Founded in 2008, Big Leap is an agency dedicated to providing brands with reliable and sustainable organic growth. With over 90 employees, they offer comprehensive services, including SEO, content marketing, CRO, and social media marketing, to enhance clients' online presence, generate leads, and boost revenue. Their foundation is built on trust and fostering strong client relationships, prioritizing long-term success.
Visionworks faced a challenge in converting digital marketing efforts into in-store visits. They sought assistance from Big Leap through a referral, resulting in an impressive 124% increase in organic views during a website migration. Big Leap's strategic campaign successfully led to a measurable increase in Visionworks' in-store visitors.
6. Straight North
- Best for: Internet Marketing
- Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
- Minimum Budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 1997
- Size: 100 - 249
- Location: Illinois
- Notable Clients: Acieta, Pro Stock Hockey, BluePay, Grove Dental Associates, and more
Established in 1997, Straight North is a comprehensive internet marketing company specializing in services like SEO, PPC, website design, email marketing, and graphic design. With a team of 100+ in-house employees, they assist businesses of all sizes, B2B and B2C, in generating sales leads and e-commerce revenue in the competitive online marketing landscape.
Straight North's success stems from its collaborative approach, technical expertise, industry experience, team-based campaign execution, transparent reporting, and commitment to maximizing client ROI, leading to strong results and high client retention.
For Acieta, an automation technology company, Straight North's B2B digital marketing efforts resulted in a 1200% increase in lead volume, a 93% increase in organic search traffic, and a 30% reduction in Cost-Per-Lead, following the launch of an SEO campaign and blog on the company's website.
Check Straight North Agency Profile
7. Digital Silk
- Best for: Digital Campaigns
- Average Hourly Rate: $150
- Minimum Budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2015
- Size: 100 - 249
- Location: New York
- Notable Clients: XEROX, IBM, NFL, Sony, NASA, NYU, Microsoft, and more
Digital Silk is a leading agency specializing in custom website creation, enhancing conversions and SEO for a diverse clientele, including SONY, Northwestern University, P&G, EV Universe, Xerox, NYU, and others. Their expertise spans Branding & Strategies, Custom Web Design, Ecommerce Development, SEO & Content Marketing, and Results-Driven Social & Paid Marketing, empowering brands to achieve online growth goals.
Xerox faced a challenge capturing B2B leads for Xerox® ConnectKey® Technology. They needed to promote their printers to businesses and generate sales leads. However, their existing website lacked essential touchpoints to influence decisions and secure leads.
To address this, DigitalSilk executed a comprehensive digital campaign with Google Ads, a targeted landing page, retargeting, and email nurturing, resulting in improved customer engagement and conversions, fulfilling Xerox's marketing objectives.
Check Digital Silk Agency Profile
8. Manta
- Best for: Keyword Ranking
- Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
- Minimum Budget: Under $1000
- Founded: 1996
- Size: 250 - 499
- Location: Utah
- Notable Clients: Horsey Orthodontics, The Whitening Gals, Seaside Golf Cart Rental, AKL Architecture Services, and more
Manta is a prominent online resource empowering small businesses to grow and establish a strong online presence. They guide businesses in claiming their online presence, implementing effective SEO strategies, and fortifying their brand. Manta offers easy-to-understand products, services, and educational opportunities to help small business owners become more competitive within their industries.
For example, Horsey Orthodontics hired Manta to establish dominance in their local area. Through extensive backlinking and directory submissions, the client's targeted keywords reached the top 10 search results within a few months.
Many keywords maintained their top 10 rankings for over a year, and the client now holds the top position in their local search results with 24 keywords ranking on the first page of Google.
9. Moburst
- Best for: Optimizing KPIs
- Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
- Minimum Budget: $25,000 - $50,000
- Founded: 2013
- Size: Under 49
- Location: New York
- Notable Clients: Gett, Barnes & Noble, Badoo, Bumble, Dropbox, and more
Moburst has assisted numerous companies, from startups to global brands, in enhancing products and optimizing key performance indicators (KPIs). Their innovative solutions connect brands with highly targeted audiences, resulting in valuable and long-term user conversions.
For example, Gett collaborated with Moburst and achieved remarkable success with over 400% growth in user acquisition. The strategic approach made Gett a prominent household name in targeted cities, attracting users who completed registration, verified personal details, and booked cabs, leading to increased ROI.
10. Directive Consulting
- Best for: Tech Companies
- Average Hourly Rate: Inquire
- Minimum Budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2014
- Size: 100 - 249
- Location: California
- Notable Clients: WordPress VIP, Uber Freight, Snap Inc., Sumo Logic, Amazon, and more
Directive Consulting is the trusted choice for the world's largest tech brands, achieving remarkable results with their Customer Generation methodology, contributing to over $1 billion in revenue for clients over the past decade. Their seamless approach involves best-in-class campaigns across Paid Media, SEO, Design, Strategy, DevOps, and Video.
With industry-leading financial modeling, tech companies can confidently predict sales revenue and create winning game plans. Directive's proficient team operates globally, delivering exceptional marketing solutions. For instance, their collaboration with WordPress VIP resulted in a 607% increase in opportunities, a 73% decrease in cost per opportunity, and a 175% increase in closed deals.
Check Directive Consulting Agency Profile
How We Picked the Best Digital Marketing Companies
To curate the list of the top digital marketing companies in 2024, we examined the agencies’ client roster, testimonials, case studies, industry reputation, team expertise, and executive management. Our team of agency experts created a scoring system to gauge their overall performance based on metrics such as:
- Relevant digital marketing service catalog
- Coverage of digital marketing topics on their website and other channels
- The number of digital marketing projects delivered
- The quality and diversity of portfolio and success stories
- Notable clients and well-known brands
- Their online reputation on DesignRush, Google, and other platforms
This qualitative process helped us narrow down the A-list of digital marketing providers you can work with on your upcoming project.
Visit our DesignRush Agency Ranking Methodology to learn more about how we picked the agencies listed below.
10 Most Popular Digital Marketing Agencies Compared
Agency name | Location | Hourly rate | Size | Best for |
SmartSites | New Jersey | $100 | 100 - 249 | Overall |
WebFX | Pennsylvania | $150 | 500 - 999 | Innovative Approaches |
Intero Digital | Colorado | Inquire | 250 - 499 | SEO & SEM Packages |
NinjaPromo | New York | $25 | 100 - 249 | Online Presence Growth |
Big Leap | Utah | $125 | 50 - 99 | Strategic Campaigns |
Straight North | Illinois | Inquire | 100 - 249 | Internet Marketing |
Digital Silk | New York | $150 | 100 - 249 | Digital Campaigns |
Manta | Utah | Inquire | 250 - 499 | Keyword Ranking |
Moburst | New York | Inquire | Under 49 | Optimizing KPIs |
Directive Consulting | California | Inquire | 100 - 249 | Tech Companies |
Best Digital Marketing Company Rankings
- Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsThink Web. Think Smart. Partner with the #1 Rated Digital Marketing Agency.Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 5-star reviews online, SmartSites is America #1 rated digital marketing agency. Call (201) 870 6000 for a free [... view the full profile of SmartSites]Paramus, New Jersey 100 - 249 $100/hr Inquire
- Driven by patented technology and proven strategies, our team works to take market share from your competitors, increase your brand equity, grow qualified traffic, and increase your revenue and [... view the full profile of Intero Digital]Colorado Springs, Colorado 250 - 499 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- HigherVisibility is a Best-in-Class Digital Marketing Agency, specializing in SEO, Paid Media, and Website Design. We are proud to be a 5-Time SEO Agency of the Year Winner. Our professional staff [... view the full profile of HigherVisibility]Memphis, Tennessee 50 - 99 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Victorious sets itself apart by wholeheartedly acknowledging SEO's colossal potential as an influential marketing channel. Through our diligent and systematic approach to SEO, we are actively [... view the full profile of Victorious]San Francisco, California 50 - 99 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Ignite Visibility is a leader in SEO, online advertising, email, social media marketing and digital marketing. 200+ five star reviews, 3x Landy Award winner, 6x Inc. 5,000 company, #1 ranked [... view the full profile of Ignite Visibility]San Diego, California 100 - 249 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- The last digital marketing agency you'll ever need. [... view the full profile of Disruptive Advertising]Pleasant Grove, Utah 100 - 249 Inquire $10,000 - $25,000
- With our exceptional PPC advertising solutions, we empower businesses to dominate their markets and achieve outstanding results. [... view the full profile of Black Propeller]Bel Air, Maryland Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative is a digital marketing agency based in Salt Lake City, Utah that specializes in SEO, Paid Media, and Web Design. We bring digital marketing into the modern age with the [... view the full profile of Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative]Salt Lake City, Utah Under 49 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Funnel Boost Media is an all inclusive digital marketing company based in San Antonio, Texas. FBM specializes in everything from the creation of your marketing piece or website to the online [... view the full profile of Funnel Boost Media]San Antonio, Texas Under 49 $100/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We've empowered businesses to achieve 10x growth in just six months, skillfully launching new products and securing Page 1 rankings for high-volume keywords within the first four weeks. Our strategic [... view the full profile of Amazon Growth Lab]Los Angeles, California Under 49 Inquire Inquire
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We'll Find The Best Agencies For You- With a wealth of experience in the realm of digital marketing and reputation management, the WebiMax team stands as a beacon of expertise, consistently delivering tangible success to our clients in [... view the full profile of WebiMax]Ocean City, New Jersey 50 - 99 $100/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Our Success: Worked with 30+ clients, generated over $2M, and achieved 30M traffic. [... view the full profile of Tech Savy Crew]Austin, Texas Under 49 $20/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- March forward with confidence alongside Inbox Army, your elite, full-service email marketing agency. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including campaign management, template production [... view the full profile of Inbox Army]Dallas, Texas 100 - 249 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- CadenceSEO is a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO and offering services to improve website performance. The SEO consultants emphasize their commitment to providing accessible and affordable [... view the full profile of CadenceSEO]Phoenix, Arizona Under 49 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Rankings.io is a premier SEO agency dedicated to serving law firms. They offer specialized services tailored to the legal industry, helping firms achieve top rankings on Google and generate guaranteed [... view the full profile of Rankings]Marion, Illinois Under 49 $199/hr $10,000 - $25,000
- Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsTop Rated SEO Agency by Forbes, USA Today, Backlinko, & Search Engine LandSearchbloom is a REAL SEO firm that provides REAL RESULTS and has done so for over 10 years. Our mission is to be the most trusted, transparent, and results-driven SEO and PPC marketing company in the [... view the full profile of Searchbloom]Draper, Utah Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Since 1998, Lounge Lizard Brandtenders and Marketing Mixologists Have Created the Internets Best Websites & Digital Marketing Campaigns Yielding the Highest ROI. Ask about our 7 Second Rule! [... view the full profile of Lounge Lizard]New York City, New York 50 - 99 Inquire Inquire
- Ranked as the #1 Marketing Agency for Amazon by Design Rush, Clutch, Influencer Marketing Hub, & Make Use Of. Amazon Advertising is what we do! [... view the full profile of Nuanced Media]Tucson, Arizona Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Our team of award-winning designers, consultants, digital marketing experts, and media planners is dedicated to helping your business gain traction, resulting in significant revenue growth. As a [... view the full profile of Dynamic Wave Consulting]Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Under 49 $125/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- 3 Media Web is changing how businesses succeed online, with 20+ years of experience. Our unique approach to end-to-end digital experience optimization helps set your business apart from your [... view the full profile of 3 Media Web]Marlborough, Massachusetts Under 49 Inquire $25,000 - $50,000
- Digital Silk is an agency focused on Creating Superior Digital Experiences for their clients. They create cutting-edge brand strategies, websites, apps and results-driven marketing campaigns for [... view the full profile of Digital Silk]New York City, New York 100 - 249 $150/hr Inquire
- DesignRush Design Award Winner(Award-Winning) Digital branding, UX/UI design and digital product design agency in San Francisco.RNO1 is a global Branding, UX Design & Digital Growth Agency. Guiding modern brands to create Radical Digital Experiences. [... view the full profile of RNO1]San Francisco, California 50 - 99 Inquire Inquire
- We take a distinctive approach to messaging and branding, diving into the subsea level of your industry, audience, and competitors before a single idea is presented to you. Understanding why you do [... view the full profile of Digital Ink]Carlsbad, California Under 49 $140/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Dot Com Infoway (DCI) is a global leader in app marketing, dedicated to ensuring your mobile app reaches its full potential. Our expert marketing services cover the entire app lifecycle, from [... view the full profile of Dot Com Infoway]Madurai, India 100 - 249 $15/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- The Inceptives is a leading IT company that provides innovative solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our team of experts specializes in various areas of technology, including Web/App development and [... view the full profile of The Inceptives]London, United Kingdom 50 - 99 $25/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Kabloom is a specialized digital marketing agency focusing specifically on B2B event growth and attendee acquisition. With measurable results driven by conversions, we work to push your events' [... view the full profile of Kabloom]Zug, Switzerland Under 49 $100/hr Inquire
- We provide cutting-edge software and digital marketing solutions for modern businesses. MasterySoft offers comprehensive services in web development, game development, digital marketing and video [... view the full profile of MasterySoft]Walferdange, Luxembourg Under 49 $60/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We build professional, mobile-friendly Wordpress websites for people at no cost. The reason we do this is simple: it’s a great way for us to build connections with business owners who might hire us [... view the full profile of The Free Website Guys]Santa Fe, New Mexico Under 49 $49/hr Under $1,000
- Propel your digital strategy with our expertise in Google Ads, SEO, and Email Marketing. Based across three dynamic cities, our 80+ team has consistently doubled our growth yearly by enhancing ROI for [... view the full profile of KlientBoost]Costa Mesa, California 100 - 249 $100/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Let's Get Optimized is Canada's "GO-TO" SEO Company. [... view the full profile of Let's Get Optimized]Toronto, Canada 50 - 99 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- DesignX is a Subscription Agency driving the future of Tech and Commerce brands across Platforms and Places. Together, we win.Through this Unique Agency Subscription Format, well-funded and fast [... view the full profile of DesignX]San Francisco, California Under 49 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We are a 360° digital marketing agency that drives results. Well, we will work with you to develop a customized strategy and optimize your digital footprint for maximum impact. [... view the full profile of Rank Glow]Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 50 - 99 $25/hr Under $1,000
- IdeasUnlimited is a global support services provider with thirteen (13) years of experience in providing Call Center and Remote Business support services! [... view the full profile of IdeasUnlimited]Sugar Land, Texas 100 - 249 $10/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsSpecial Offer: August 2024 - 20% SEO discount for clients that found us on DesignRush!With data-driven SEO strategies and advertising campaigns, we help businesses impact the metrics that matter most, from traffic to revenue. Use the power of search in any platform to boost your sales. [... view the full profile of Devenup SEO]Krakow, Poland Under 49 $40/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsSkyrocket Your Profits from 17% to 2,000% with Tailored Digital Marketing ServicesIncrementors is an Award-Winning Digital Marketing Agency, 2021 Best SEO Consulting Agency by Design Rush, and Top #10 Most Reviewed SEO companies by TheManifest, also one of the fastest-growing [... view the full profile of Incrementors Web Solutions]Sacramento, California 100 - 249 $40/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- At Marketing Deck we are developing websites meant to catch valuable leads for your business. Our websites have a modern interface and SEO oriented copywrite. [... view the full profile of Marketing Deck]Bucharest, Romania Under 49 $50/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Digi Strikers is an award-winning digital marketing agency that helps businesses increase website visibility, generate more traffic, and convert that traffic into leads.We focus on quality [... view the full profile of Digi Strikers]London, United Kingdom 50 - 99 $30/hr Under $1,000
- Caveni Digital is a unique web design agency headquartered in Philadelphia. We take immense pride in the vast design diversity in the websites we create. Our team specializes in website development [... view the full profile of Caveni Digital Solutions]Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Under 49 $125/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- SEO Tech Experts LLC, the leading SEO agency in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Saudi Arabia, elevates businesses with cutting-edge strategies. Our experts drive online success through meticulous SEO campaigns [... view the full profile of SEO Tech Experts LLC]Dubai, United Arab Emirates Under 49 $30/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- If your business needs help with generating qualified leads and getting real results from your online marketing, our campaigns require specialized market knowledge, and that’s where we can help! [... view the full profile of DiscoverMyBusiness]New York City, New York Under 49 $300/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We're an award-winning international SEO and SEM agency, recognized as Best Agency of the Year 2024 by the Global Agency Awards, we specialize in crafting personalized strategies that drive your [... view the full profile of Delante]Krakow, Poland 50 - 99 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Netpeak is a Ukrainian digital marketing agency established in 2006, that pioneered in shaping Eastern Europe's digital landscape with deep technical expertise and data-driven strategies. [... view the full profile of Netpeak Digital Agency US]Wilmington, Delaware 250 - 499 $75/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We are Fulminous Software, skilled website, mobile app development & website design company with a proven history of creating popular and profitable website & application. [... view the full profile of Fulminous Software]Manning, South Carolina 50 - 99 $25/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Magneto IT Solutions, an award-winning eCommerce agency, specializes in Node.js development. We excel in creating top-notch B2C, B2B, and Marketplace eCommerce solutions. Our Exclusive Partnerships [... view the full profile of Magneto IT Solutions]New York City, New York 100 - 249 $30/hr $10,000 - $25,000
- UPQODE is a real estate web design company that places customer satisfaction at the forefront of our work, consistently delivering top-notch results. Our reputation as an industry leader has been [... view the full profile of UPQODE]Nashville, Tennessee 50 - 99 $75/hr $10,000 - $25,000
- With over 15 years of experience as a software product development company, we plan, build and promote new applications so you don't have to.Scopic excels in desktop, web, and mobile app [... view the full profile of Scopic]Marlborough, Massachusetts 250 - 499 $40/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Ignite Digital is a reputable Digital Marketing Agency with over a decade of experience. We provide full-service Digital Marketing solutions for medium to big brands. [... view the full profile of Ignite Digital]Mississauga, Canada Under 49 Inquire Inquire
- Addlium is your trusted partner for outsourced sales and lead generation services. We help B2B companies enrich their pipeline and boost sales consistently. [... view the full profile of Addlium]Kyiv, Ukraine Under 49 $25/hr $1,000 - $10,000
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Digital Marketing Agency Hiring Guide
What is a digital marketing agency?
A digital marketing agency is a company that specializes in developing and implementing promotional strategies through various online channels. It analyzes user behavior data to create and launch campaigns for the following:
- Websites
- Content
- PPC advertising
- Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
- Video marketing
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Social media
- And more
In terms of service delivery, these are the two engagement models that digital marketing firms typically follow:
- Partnerships: Digital marketing outsourcing is one of the most common engagement models. It enables businesses to focus their in-house resources on revenue-generating core functions.
- Projects: These are one-time or short-term engagements where a business outsources a particular campaign, strategy, or other time-bound tasks to a specialized agency.
What does a digital marketing company do?
A digital marketing company integrates various marketing strategies across a variety of channels to provide holistic business growth for its clients. It analyzes clients’ online presence, identifies gaps and areas of improvement, and outlines a comprehensive strategy based on the most relevant digital opportunities. Its goal is to provide qualified leads and new business for clients.
The best internet marketing companies often combine different strategies to promote brands across channels and drive online business growth. That said, their main services are:
Internet Marketing and Advertising
This includes retargeting and remarketing, paid search, paid media, pay-per-click advertising, and native advertising. These initiatives can be executed on Google, Bing, Facebook, LinkedIn, email, and other publications.
Content Marketing
This includes conceptualizing, crafting, and publishing all content types, like blog posts, articles, brand videos, social media posts, infographics, user-generated content (UGC), digital newsletters, whitepapers, and webinars.
The Content Marketing Institute reports that 91% of B2B organizations use content marketing to attract and retain their audiences, typically outsourcing:
- Content creation (47%)
- Content promotion/distribution (23%)
- Content marketing measurement (11%)
- Content marketing strategy (9%)
Social Media Marketing (SMM)
This includes promoting businesses and their products or services on various social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others. It aims to connect them with their intended audiences, increase brand awareness, and drive traffic and sales.
Some of the services covered in SMM are social media strategy development, content creation, social media management, social media advertising, community management, analytics and reporting, and more.
Email Marketing
This includes sending promotional messages, announcements, newsletters, and other content types via email to a targeted list of subscribers. Email marketing campaigns can vary in complexity, from simple one-off emails to complex automated sequences that are triggered by specific consumer actions or behaviors. Success is typically measured by open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
SEO
This includes optimizing your website and content to rank higher on relevant search results. A well-rounded organic search strategy encompasses technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO.
Maintaining a total market share of 91.55% in October er 2023 [Global Stats], Google is inarguably the most prominent search engine. Thus, businesses tend to concentrate their optimization and search engine marketing efforts on Google.
The platform uses 200+ factors to rank websites [Backlinko], so it’s critical for top digital marketing agencies to have the experience and in-depth know-how to navigate it.
Others
Other digital marketing services are:
- Marketing automation
- Affiliate marketing
- Data monitoring and analytics
- Inbound marketing
- Digital public relations
- Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
- Influencer marketing
- Video marketing
- Mobile marketing
- Content syndication
- Web design and web development
- And more
What is the difference between a digital marketing agency and a digital advertising company?
The difference between a digital marketing company and a digital advertising company lies in the scope of work, approach, and strategies.
A digital marketing firm provides a broader strategy that ties digital branding, lead generation, and customer relationship-building initiatives under its wing. It includes:
- Marketing plans: Short and long-term action plans with targets and objectives
- Branding collaterals: Logo and brand messaging frameworks
- Website content: Press releases, blog articles, white papers, and case studies
- Social media content: Engaging reels and videos for social media audiences
While digital marketing agencies may also provide online advertising services, a digital advertising agency focuses on:
- Display ads: Data-based campaign conceptualization, design, deployment, performance tracking, and optimization, plus data analysis
- Social ads: Social media campaigns based on the target audience’s behavior
- PPC: Paid online advertising model on search engines and socials
How much do digital marketing agencies charge for their services?
Digital marketing agencies charge between $80 and $200 per hour, on average. The top 50 digital marketing agencies on DesignRush charge an average of $100/hour.
The average agency fees per digital marketing service type are as follows:
Service Type | Costs |
PPC advertising | Up to $10,000/per month |
SEO | $1,500 - $5,000/per month |
Social media marketing (SMM) | $1,000 - $20,000/per month |
Content marketing | $2,000 - $10,000/per month |
Email marketing | $500 - $5,000/per month |
Website design | $2,500 - $100,000/per website |
Here are the five pricing models to consider when calculating digital marketing costs:
- Packaged pricing: Many digital marketing agencies offer packaged services with predetermined prices. This pricing model is transparent, and clients can choose a package that fits their budget.
- Public pricing: Some agencies prefer to price their services individually. This model enables clients to select the specific services they need without filling out a detailed contact form.
- Price quote calculator: This combines public and packaged pricing models. Clients can select services from a list with set prices, building their packages using the calculator. This approach is ideal for clients with a specific budget and want a customized quote for their chosen services.
- Hourly pricing: Agencies may charge based on the number of hours rendered.
- Flat project-based pricing: Certain SEO projects, such as recovering from Google penalties, are one-time projects, whereas other tasks, like content audits and keyword research, are recurring. Flat-fee pricing is best suited for one-time tasks, like SEO projects, content audits, keyword research, and PPC.
The agency's location, expertise, and team size, as well as your project's complexity, timeframe, and services required, will also impact the total project cost.
What is the standard budget for digital marketing?
The average annual budget for digital marketing ranges between $175,000 to $250,000, including agency fees, technology, and ad spend. [Ascend Business Growth]
According to Gartner, most companies spend an average of 9.5% of the total company revenue on digital marketing, and an average of 56% of the marketing budget on digital channels.
SMBs typically spend between $2,000 and $6,000 on digital marketing services to accomplish their marketing goals. Companies with more ambitious objectives may invest between $10,000 and $20,000 per month. Large enterprises, on the other hand, may allocate well over $100,000 each month for their online marketing efforts, depending on their budget and goals.
On DesignRush, roughly 14.4% of the digital marketing companies have a minimum budget of $1,000, while 1.7% have a $50,000+ minimum budget.
Keep in mind that an effective digital marketing strategy isn’t a one-off solution, and it can change depending on your business needs and demands. After all, a successful campaign is meant to help your brand grow.
What is the average return of investment (ROI) for digital marketing?
The average return on investment (ROI) for digital marketing varies significantly depending on the channel used. A 5:1 ratio is generally considered good, meaning for every $1 spent, you receive $5 in return.
However, the ROI can be much higher for specific channels:
Digital marketing channel | ROI |
Email marketing | The highest ROI, yielding between 36:1 or 3,600%. Businesses can expect $36–$40 in return for every $1 spent. |
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) | Averages a 748% ROI, or $7.48 on every dollar spent, although this varies by industry |
Video marketing | Particularly with short-form content, video marketing can generate over 30% ROI. |
Influencer marketing | $5.78 for every $1 spent, but it can go as high as 20:1 in certain industries (i.e., $20 for every $1 invested) |
Podcast marketing | $4.9 for every $1 spent |
Social Media Marketing (SMM) | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok have significant ROI. LinkedIn provides strong results for B2B, while Instagram and TikTok are more effective for consumer engagement. |
Is it worth it to hire a digital marketing agency?
Yes, it’s worth hiring a digital marketing company because it eliminates the need to recruit, train, and maintain an internal team, cutting down expenses over time. At the same time, you will gain new perspectives on how to improve your strategies for business growth through access to:
- Expert knowledge: In-depth understanding of your industry and business environment
- Industry tactics: Knowledge of the emerging trends in online marketing and the latest market-tested tactics
- Data-based research: Better understanding of target market behavior to help identify well-defined buyer personas and drive qualified leads
- Campaign performance monitoring, analytics, and reporting: Insights into your audience, competitors, and brand that help with day-to-day online marketing management efforts
- Premium marketing tools: Software and platforms that automate strategies
According to Invesp, a strong lead nurturing strategy can generate 50% more leads ready to make a purchase, all while reducing costs by 33%. This can be achieved by hiring a digital marketing company with proven expertise in implementing effective lead-generation strategies.
One such case study is BigLeap’s collaboration with Avis Rent a Car, a global leader in the vehicle rental industry. The goal was to generate leads, outrank the competition, and expand its presence to reach more potential customers.
With a strategy combining local SEO and over 300 pieces of original content, BigLeap generated 10,000 new leads for the client. The client also ranked for an additional 213 target keywords on the first page of the SERP.
How do I choose the best digital marketing company?
Select the best marketing agency following these steps:
- Determine your goals, requirements, budget, KPIs, and timeline.
- Research agencies’ websites and check their core competencies and relevant experience in your industry.
- Review their portfolios, campaign results, reviews, client references, and social media pages.
- Learn about their processes to understand how they deliver results and generate quality leads.
- See if they use top-of-the-line marketing tools to provide accurate insights.
- Shortlist potential candidates and submit a digital marketing request for proposal (RFP).
- Receive custom proposals and arrange interviews with 4-5 agencies to ask detailed questions and evaluate if they are a good fit for your brand.
- Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss the proposal in detail.
- Ask if their experts have an in-depth knowledge of your niche – a key factor for growth and improvement of strategies.
- Inquire how they stay updated with the latest digital marketing trends.
- Choose the best agency that aligns with your expectations, budget, and company values.
Need guidance in finding an agency partner for your business? Tell us about your project, and our Agency Team will curate a list of top agencies that match your needs. Visit the Marketplace to find out more.
What questions should I ask online marketing companies before partnering with them?
The critical questions you should ask before partnering with an online marketing agency are:
Its Relevant Background
- What experience do you have working in our industry?
- Have you solved similar digital marketing challenges like ours?
- In which areas of expertise have you achieved the best results?
Company Services and Processes
- What type of digital marketing services do you offer?
- What types and sizes of marketing budgets have you handled so far? What are the results generated for these projects?
- What is the cost of your services? What business model do you adopt?
- What services are included in your package and are there any services or programs that may cost extra?
The Project
- What strategies will you develop to increase our online presence?
- What tools, programs, or resources do you use and why?
- How will you measure results?
- How often will we get progress reports?
- Who will be working on our account and what qualifies them for this role?
- involve our in-house team in the course of the project?
- When are you available to start our project?
What are the best digital marketing agencies in the U.S.?
The best digital marketing agencies in the U.S. are:
Agency name | DesignRush rating | Google rating | Top clients |
SmartSites | 5.0 (52 reviews) | 4.9 (415 reviews) |
|
Ignite Visibility | 4.8 (7 reviews) | 4.6 (48 reviews) |
|
Manta | 4.6 (3 reviews) | 3.9 (92 reviews) |
|
Intero Digital | 4.9 (25 reviews) | 4.6 (249 reviews) |
|
Big Leap | 4.8 (8 reviews) | 4.8 (74 reviews) |
|
Scroll up to learn more about these agencies and discover other top digital marketing providers selected based on industry reputation, successful projects, client testimonials, team expertise, and more. To further personalize your search, you can sort agencies by location, reviews, hourly rates, agency size, and budget.
Why Trust DesignRush
A trusted B2B marketplace connecting businesses with top-tier digital marketing agencies, DesignRush maintains an impressive 4.7 rating on Trustpilot and Google.
Our dedicated team of agency experts built a network of over 30,000 agencies. We simplify the agency selection process, providing value to clients and agencies alike, via the DesignRush Marketplace.
Media Features
As a media platform, our press releases are picked up by 141 media outlets and reach a potential audience of 70 million. Our expertise extends to reputable platforms, such as Forbes, MSN, Yahoo! Finance, CNBC, MarketWatch, and Benzinga, solidifying our presence in the industry.
These achievements underscore our commitment to providing valuable insights and solutions within the digital landscape.
As seen on
Digital Marketing Expertise
Digital marketing companies on DesignRush are highly proficient in a wide range of online marketing disciplines such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing (SMM), content marketing, email marketing, affiliate marketing, inbound marketing, digital strategy, web analytics, and more.
These demonstrate their extensive skill set and ability to deliver comprehensive digital marketing solutions, covering everything from strategy development to execution and analysis.
Agency Credibility Indicators
The top digital marketing agencies showcase their outstanding work through notable recognitions, which include Hermes Creative Awards, AVA Digital Awards, The Drum Awards, MarCom Awards, Clio Awards, The Webby Awards, Digiday Awards, New York Festivals® Advertising Awards, Global Search Awards, and numerous others.
These accolades indicate agencies’ ability to consistently deliver top-notch results and reliability for companies seeking exceptional digital marketing strategies and campaigns.
Their proficiency is verified by numerous certifications:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): SEMrush SEO Toolkit Certification, Google Analytics Individual Qualification Certification, Moz SEO Essentials Certification
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising: Google Ads Certification, Bing Ads Accredited Professional, SEMrush PPC Fundamentals Exam
- Social Media Marketing (SMM): Meta Blueprint Certification, Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification, HubSpot Social Media Certification
- Content marketing: HubSpot Content Marketing Certification, Content Marketing Institute Certification
- Email marketing: HubSpot Email Marketing Certification, DigitalMarketer Email Marketing Specialist Certification
- Affiliate marketing: ClickBank Affiliate Marketing Certification, The Shaw Academy Affiliate Marketing Certification
- Inbound marketing: HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
- eCommerce marketing: Shopify Ecommerce Marketing Certification
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): CXL Conversion Optimization Certification, DigitalMarketer Conversion Rate Optimization Certification
- Influencer marketing: Influencer Marketing Hub's Certification
- Video marketing: YouTube Certified Program, Video Marketing Certification by HubSpot Academy
- Data analysis and reporting: Google Data Studio Certification, Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Agencies’ Supported Technologies
These service providers are proficient in various industry-standard technologies, tools, software, and platforms, including but not limited to:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz Pro
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising: Google Ads, Bing Ads, AdEspresso
- Social Media Marketing (SMM): Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, BuzzSumo
- Email marketing: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Sendinblue
- Content marketing: HubSpot, WordPress, CoSchedule
- Marketing analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM
- Affiliate marketing: ShareASale, ClickBank, PostAffiliatePro
Agency Reviews
For deeper insight into these agencies, DesignRush features client testimonials that share project challenges, results, and overall feedback. Each review undergoes verification, ensuring that the insights we present are both current and accurate.
Using the Bayesian Statistical Method, our algorithm calculates the most probable success rate for each agency. This reduces bias and promotes equity in the rating system, aligning our agency rankings more closely with the genuine quality of the services they offer.
Content Relevance & Accuracy
We make sure our content stays up to date, incorporating the latest listing data, industry trends, emerging technologies, and real-time insights supplied by agencies. It is reviewed by seasoned industry professionals who also provide their invaluable expertise – ensuring accurate and in-depth information.