Best Search Engine Marketing Companies

2 Companies - Rankings updated: September 10, 2026

Each agency listed on DesignRush is assessed for industry expertise and customer testimonials are evaluated in order to provide you with a vetted selection. Certain listings represent paid partnerships.

Expertise
Boutique
$1,000 - $10,000
Sort by: Sponsored
United States × Illinois × Search Engine Marketing × Boutique × $1,000 - $10,000 × Clear Filters

  • Pietryla PR & Marketing

    Talk to the right people in the right places

    As a full-service competitive alternative to an agency, Pietryla PR & Marketing is agile, employing the right consultants to achieve the exact goals of our clients. That’s how we’re able to remain fully accountable for results and offer transparent pricing and policies that focus everyone’s attention on...

    Top Services:

    • Public Relations
    • Content Marketing
    • SEO
    • PPC
    • Digital Marketing
    • Show more
    Location
    Deerfield, Illinois
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $175/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
    Portfolios Count
    2 Projects Listed

    Pietryla PR & Marketing Services

    • Public Relations
    • Content Marketing
    • SEO
    • PPC
    • Digital Marketing
    • Logo Design
    • Package Design
    • Creative Services
    • Branding
    • WordPress Website Design
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Cask & Kettle Hot Cocktails
    • Footprint Packaging
    • Novalent Antimicrobial
    • Oval Fire Products
    • Secure Applications Packaging
    • Safeology Lighting and Safety
    • United Federal Credit Union
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
    Visit Website View Profile

  • AppCrops

    Turning Ideas Into Interactive Apps

    AppCrops is a next-gen technology partner delivering end-to-end digital solutions for startups and enterprises. From interactive user-friendly iOS, Android or Custom Mobile applications to Web apps, ERP systems and custom software, we help transform ideas into high-performing digital products...

    Top Services:

    • Mobile App Development
    • Web Development
    • eCommerce Development
    • Software Development
    • Web Design
    • Show more
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $50/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
    Portfolios Count
    4 Projects Listed

    AppCrops Services

    • Mobile App Development
    • Web Development
    • eCommerce Development
    • Software Development
    • Web Design
    • UI/UX Design
    • IoT
    • Blockchain
    • AI Development
    • Digital Marketing
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • FluoSpeak
    • Sellers Route
    • Muslim Me
    • Linkedly
    • Stryde
    • Planzee
    • TRP Mobile
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    AppCrops Reviews & Testimonials

    • Nabula Warden
      Nabula Warden Review from Google
      5.0 ★

      Nabula Warden's Review Sourced from Google

      AppCrops built a CMS for us that easily integrated with our website. Easy to manage and flexible. It made content updates much simpler. Recommended group of developers 👍

    • Reverie Selah
      Reverie Selah Review from Google
      5.0 ★

      Reverie Selah's Review Sourced from Google

      We used AppCrops for web development services and the result exceeded expectations. The website is fast, modern, and aligns perfectly with our brand.

    • Hazel Lucas
      Hazel Lucas Review from Google
      5.0 ★

      Hazel Lucas's Review Sourced from Google

      We worked with AppCrops for mobile app development and had a great experience. The team was professional, responsive, and delivered a high-quality app for our business. Highly recommended for anyone looking for web or app development services.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
    Visit Website View Profile
    5.0 5.0 (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SEO and SEM?

The main difference between these two marketing branches is how they acquire traffic: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) earns traffic organically, while Search Engine Marketing (SEM) buys traffic through paid ads. 

Aspect SEO SEM
Traffic source Organic (unpaid) Paid (ads on search engines)
Cost model No cost-per-click Pay-per-click (PPC)
Result speed Slow, builds over time Fast, immediate visibility
Placement Organic search results Top and bottom ad placements
Strategy Content, technical setup, backlinks Bidding, ad copy, targeting
Long-term value High, compounding over time Stops when the budget stops
Control Limited control over rankings Full control over spend and targeting

What platforms are used for search engine marketing?

Search engine marketing runs mainly on paid search platforms. Google Ads leads globally, with regional and niche platforms used based on audience and market. 

  • Google Ads is the largest platform and covers Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, and partner sites. 
  • Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) reaches Bing, Yahoo, and AOL users. It often has lower CPCs. 
  • Amazon Ads shows search ads inside Amazon for product-driven campaigns. 
  • Apple Search Ads promotes apps within App Store search results. 
  • Baidu Ads is the primary platform in China. 
  • Yandex Ads is dominant in Russia and nearby markets. 

Can a search engine marketing company guarantee a #1 ranking?

No. An SEM agency cannot guarantee a #1 ranking. 

Search ads run on an auction, and ad rank depends on bid, ad quality, expected click-through rate, and landing page experience. Competitors change bids constantly, so positions shift in real time. 

Agencies control strategy, targeting, and optimization. They improve results, reduce costs, and increase conversions, but they do not control the auction or competitors, so no one can consistently promise the top spot. 

How much do SEM services cost?

Best SEM agencies typically charge between $100 and $300 per hour. Most businesses spend $500 to $5,000+ per month on SEM, while competitive industries can spend from $10,000 to $50,000+. Total cost combines ad spend and agency fees. 

  • Ad spend: You pay for each click, but some clicks cost a few dollars, while competitive keywords like legal or finance can go above $50 per click. Total spend depends on how many clicks you want and how competitive your market is. 
  • SEM companies’ monthly fees: 
    • $500 to $1,500 per month for basic setup and management 
    • $1,000 to $5,000 per month for full service and optimization 
    • $10,000 to $50,000+ for large-scale, multi-platform campaigns 

Search engine marketing agencies can also charge a percentage of ad spend, usually between 5% and 20%. 

As a general rule, many companies allocate around 10% to 12% of revenue to SEM and digital advertising. 

How long does it take to see SEM results?

SEM companies can deliver results for paid search within days, while SEO takes months to build traffic and rankings. 

Paid search can drive traffic almost immediately after launch. Early results appear within hours or days, but campaigns need a few weeks to stabilize. Most accounts become efficient within 2 to 8 weeks, and performance becomes stronger after 2 to 3 months. 

SEO works much more slowly. The first 1 to 3 months usually go into technical fixes, content creation, and indexing. Noticeable traffic growth often occurs between 3 and 6 months for less-competitive terms. Strong rankings and consistent traffic typically take 6 to 12 months or more, especially for new websites.

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