Connect with leading search engine marketing agencies that drive qualified traffic and measurable growth through paid search strategy, campaign optimization, and data-driven ad management.
Organic rankings are determined by five factors: top services, reviews, portfolio, awards/press, and team expertise. Sponsored listings pay for a placement that appears above organic positions. Sponsorship does not affect star ratings or review content - read more on our methodology page.
The Abbery has more than 15 years experience providing digital marketing solutions for lawyers and law firms across the United States...
Top Services:
- PPC
- Content Marketing
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- Web Design
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- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $60/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
We are a 360° Digital Marketing Agency who helps You to have an omnichannel communication system woth your target audience. We will help You build a system that bring leads into your funnel and converts them into customers, to then make them loyal and keep ascending on your value ladder...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
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- Location
- León, Mexico
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Digital Solutions Dubai is a professional web design and digital marketing agency based in Dubai, UAE. We specialize in website design, WordPress and Shopify development, e-commerce solutions, UI/UX design, and website redesign. Our team also provides SEO services, local SEO, social media marketing, content...
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- Web Design
- eCommerce Development
- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $25/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Business Cherub is a premier SEO agency in Melbourne specializing in local search, technical audits, and high-authority link building for Australian brands...
Top Services:
- SEO
- Web Design
- Content Marketing
- Reputation Management
- UI/UX Design
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- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
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- Under $1,000
Smart Local is a Brisbane and Sunshine Coast-based SEO agency helping businesses dominate local search through suburb-level strategies, Google Business optimisation, and AI-driven visibility. We focus on generating real leads by positioning brands across Google, Maps, and emerging AI platforms like ChatGPT...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
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- Social Media Marketing
- PPC
- SEO
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- Location
- Glass House Mountains, Australia
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Impulse Digital is an AI-powered digital growth agency helping businesses scale through Growth Intelligence, AI Marketing Systems, SEO, performance marketing, social media, branding, web development, and data-driven marketing strategies. Since 2014, we have partnered with brands to transform insights into...
Top Services:
- Branding
- Graphic Design
- Video Production
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- Web Design
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- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $30/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Every great book starts with a spark of imagination and the right support to fan the flames. At Books Publisher, we believe your story deserves to be told. Whether youre sitting on a half-finished manuscript or a fully formed idea, were here to guide you through every step of the publishing journey. From...
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- Web Design
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- SEO
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- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $200/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Over a decade of experience, sharpened for the future of search.Razor Signal brings together years of experience in SEO, conversion optimisation and digital performance to help businesses improve their online visibility and grow with confidence. We take a focused, data-led approach to identifying...
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- AEO
- Affiliate Marketing
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- Location
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $60/hr
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- Under $1,000
502ads offers digital marketing solutions for small businesses in and around Louisville, Kentucky - particularly search engine optimization (SEO) and (AI) answer engine optimization (AEO). The agency also manages online advertising, including Google Ads management, and provides social media strategy, as well...
Top Services:
- AEO
- SEO
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- Location
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $75/hr
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- Under $1,000
BayBytes is a results-driven digital agency offering tailored website design, digital marketing, branding, and business automation solutions. We help businesses grow with custom, user-centered strategies and seamless, responsive design...
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- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Visakhapatnam, India
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $10/hr
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- Under $1,000
- Portfolios Count
- 1 Project Listed
Marketing can be simple. We've grown dozens of brands with our iterative approach.Whether it be Development, Design, Production or Post Production, Media Bamboo is your secret weapon for business growth.Get started for a low monthly subscription and cancel or pause anytime.Simply submit a request...
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- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Pembroke, New Hampshire
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $125/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Empowering Brands with Digital Brilliance. At Mas Digital Consulting, we are passionate about propelling businesses into the digital spotlight. We specialize in crafting tailor-made strategies that harness the power of the online world to drive growth, engagement, and success. With a team of creative minds...
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- Digital Services
- Branding
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $20/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Ray Solutions stands as a leading provider of diverse business solutions, committed to helping companies, regardless of their size, achieve their goals. Our extensive service offerings encompass: Remote Team: We assist companies in building and managing effective remote teams, connecting them with global...
Top Services:
- Graphic Design
- Branding
- Web Development
- Mobile App Development
- Software Development
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- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
IT DEV is a results driven digital agency based in Athens, Greece. Since 2023, we specialize in SEO, Local SEO (Google Maps), Google Ads, and high-performance web development. We help small and medium-sized businesses across Greece improve their online visibility, generate more organic traffic, and attract...
Top Services:
- SEO
- PPC
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
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- Location
- Athens, Greece
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $20/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Al Murooj Solutions is a leading digital transformation company in Dubai. We offer top-notch digital transformation services to drive businesses into the future...
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- SEO
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $1/hr
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- Under $1,000
Moorpark Marketing helps small businesses turn scattered marketing into a clear growth system. We support restaurants, salons, service businesses, ecommerce brands, and local companies with strategy, Google Ads, SEO, website optimization, analytics, and conversion tracking. Our work is built for owners who...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
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- SEO
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- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $85/hr
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- Under $1,000
I build multilingual websites on Next.js, Sanity and WordPress, and I run their technical SEO myself. Clients work with the person writing the code: no account manager in between, no separate SEO invoice arriving three months after launch. Core Web Vitals, hreflang and structured data are decided while the...
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- Web Design
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- AEO
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- Location
- Warsaw, Poland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $35/hr
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성장마케팅 (GROWTH MARKETING) has grown businesses that win by persuasion and explanation.We break the customer decision journey into stages, and one integrated team SEO, GEO, content, and performance tests and improves every step. Results follow...
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- SEO
- AEO
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- Location
- Seoul, South Korea
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
MAC5 Web Design & Marketing helps clients focus their Online presence, Brand perception and Marketing efforts through Digital Media...
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- Web Design
- Digital Marketing
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- Digital Strategy
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- Location
- Duncan, Canada
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
We create and visualize ideas that engage, educate, and entertain the world through comprehensive and effective approaches, while inspiring our team with a culture of creativity and continuous challenge...
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- Graphic Design
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- Digital Services
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- Location
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
We specialize in small projects and small budgets. No matter if your business is just getting started or you are looking for an agency that can grow your business, we can find solutions that work with almost any budget...
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- SEO
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Audubon, New Jersey
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $75/hr
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- Under $1,000
At Convoco, we prioritize personalized solutions over generic strategies, emphasizing genuine collaboration and expertise. Whether it's crafting a professional website, designing a unique brand identity, or devising innovative marketing strategies, we're dedicated to understanding your needs and delivering...
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- Digital Services
- WordPress Website Design
- Digital Marketing
- Logo Design
- Branding
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- Location
- Ljubuški, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $60/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
The Orange Workroom specializes in crafting innovative strategies, establishing brand identities, and delivering campaigns that move businesses forward. At the core of our approach is understanding: we grasp an audience's needs, pain points, and aspirations to create relevant messaging that speaks directly to...
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- Digital Services
- SEO
- Branding
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- Location
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $99/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Discover unparalleled success with the #1 white label digital marketing agency in N. America. Elevate your brand, maximize results, and partner for growth...
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- Web Design
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- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $15/hr
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- Under $1,000
BBVFX is a marketing agency driving growth with its Boost 90 program, specializing in branding, paid media, video production, SEO, all aimed at creating a powerful and cohesive online presence for businesses...
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- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Willemstad, Curacao
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $200/hr
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- Under $1,000
Helppli is your 360° Marketing & Development Team. From Marketing Strategy to Web & App Development, we deliver it all. Have a vision? Contact us today!...
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- Graphic Design
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- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
At North Carolina SEO, were passionate about helping businesses like yours shine online. With our expertise in SEO and digital marketing, we craft strategies that increase your visibility, drive organic traffic, and deliver results you can truly see. Think of us as your partner in climbing search rankings and...
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- eCommerce Development
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- Location
- Raleigh , North Carolina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $150/hr
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- Under $1,000
Destin Web Designs is your go-to expert for high-performance websites, local SEO, and digital marketing in Destin and the Florida Panhandle. We build stunning, mobile-friendly websites optimized for search engines, helping businesses rank higher and attract more customers. From Google Business Profile...
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- Web Design
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- SEO
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- Location
- Destin, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $75/hr
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- Under $1,000
Brand Alchemy Marketing is a Dallas-based agency transforming underperforming marketing into measurable business growth. Founded by a former VP of Marketing with 15+ years of experience leading strategies for startups and billion-dollar brands, we bring a unique blend of data-driven strategy and bold creative...
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- PPC
- Social Media Marketing
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- SEO
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- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $125/hr
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- Under $1,000
Eminence is a digital marketing agency with over 15 years of experience, specializing in improving profitability and leveraging the potential of data. The agency has supported over 120 clients and managed more than 1,200 projects, with a 93% satisfaction rate. It stands out for its strategic approach...
Top Services:
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Obsidian Atlas is a Colorado-based digital marketing agency helping small and growing businesses build stronger brands, better websites, and clearer marketing strategies. We blend human-centered creativity with practical SEO, content, social media, branding, and web design solutions to help businesses connect...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Branding
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- SEO
- Graphic Design
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- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Savvy Marketers is a global market research and consumer insights partner with 14+ years of experience. Trusted by J&J, Kimberly-Clark, Bayer, Merck, PepsiCo, Church&Dwight, and JPMorgan Chase. Our AI-powered platform combines biometric research, social listening, proprietary panels, and advanced segmentation...
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- Market Research
- Big Data Analytics
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- Location
- Princeton, New Jersey
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Amplify Digital Marketing helps service-based businesses grow through SEO, Google Ads, web design, and conversion-focused marketing strategies. We build fast, modern websites and data-driven campaigns that generate qualified leads, improve visibility, and support long-term growth. Our approach combines...
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- SEO
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- Location
- Novi, Michigan
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Brandspire Global bridges the gap between high-performance digital growth and international trade, empowering businesses to dominate search rankings while scaling their global supply chain...
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- Digital Services
- Video Production
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- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $20/hr
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- Under $1,000
Whyte Team is a Shopify growth agency helping ecommerce brands turn traffic into revenue. We specialize in conversion-focused Shopify development, CRO, email marketing, and customer retention strategies. By combining data, design, and automation, we create high-performing digital experiences that drive...
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- Digital Services
- Package Design
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- Location
- Ondo, Nigeria
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $25/hr
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- Under $1,000
iconimage helps Tasmanian businesses build stronger websites, improve search visibility and create digital marketing that supports real business growth...
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- Digital Services
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- Location
- Hobart, Australia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
dotSHOP.agency helps e-commerce brands grow through Shopify development, store migrations, SEO, Google Ads, Google Shopping, Performance Max and conversion optimization. We combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution and practical e-commerce experience to improve visibility, traffic, conversion rates...
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- eCommerce Development
- SEO
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- eCommerce
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- Location
- Hamburg, Germany
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $150/hr
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- Under $1,000
Efficient medical billing is critical for healthcare providers to secure accurate and timely reimbursements. Our expert services cover everything from claim submissions and insurance verification to denial management and coding compliance. By streamlining these processes, we help you reduce errors, increase...
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- Digital Strategy
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- Location
- El Paso, Texas
- Number of Employees
- 500 - 999
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- $100/hr
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- Under $1,000
GrowMera is a digital marketing and business growth company helping businesses build stronger acquisition and conversion systems through strategy, B2B lead generation, SEO, paid media, website development, social media, motion graphics and Mera AI...
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- Digital Services
- Video Production
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- Web Development
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- Location
- Uppsala, Sweden
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Serene Media is a Best Digital Marketing Agency in Dubai, UAE, providing social media, digital marketing, AI marketing solutions, website development, performance marketing, SEO, CRM & automation. We help businesses grow with AI-driven SEO, GEO and AEO optimization, and custom WordPress development...
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- Digital Services
- Graphic Design
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- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $50/hr
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- Under $1,000
Maiden Stride is your premier digital agency, offering comprehensive services in web design, development, and digital marketing, encompassing search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and social media marketing (SMO). We provide a seamless solution for businesses seeking excellence in their...
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- Social Media Marketing
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- eCommerce
- SEO
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- Location
- Kanpur, India
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
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- Under $1,000
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- 1 Project Listed
eDesk Solutions is Leading IT Company Which is Providing Web Designing, Graphics, Mobile Application Development IOS Android & Hybrid, Agile Software...
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- Web Development
- Graphic Design
- Digital Marketing
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- Luton, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $10/hr
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- Under $1,000
We help home service businesses grow with expert review and reputation management, web design, content writing, SEO, Google Ads, and social media marketing to drive leads and boost online visibility...
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- Digital Marketing
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- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
AdvancedWebUK (Advanced Web UK) is a UK-based (Glasgow) digital marketing agency established in 2014, specialising in SEO, Google Ads management and lead-generating website design. We help businesses nationwide increase enquiries, sales and measurable growth through performance-led strategies...
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- SEO
- Web Design
- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
We're a pack of forward-thinkers, creative minds, strategists, and industry experts, here to guide you through the wilderness of the modern digital jungle...
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- Digital Services
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- Location
- Berlin, Germany
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $200/hr
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Our primary objective is to achieve optimal outcomes for our clients. We approach each project with a personalized perspective, diligently endeavoring to infuse our enthusiasm and expertise into every endeavor...
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- WordPress Website Design
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- Warsaw, Poland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Touch Point Digital Marketing Agency operates as a comprehensive, full-service digital marketing agency, steadfast in our commitment to unearthing the full potential of your business. Our primary aim is to harness the immense power of the internet to your advantage, thereby propelling your brand to new...
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- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- Under $1,000
Millner Digital Marketing is an Athens, GA-based organization that offers three core services: SEO, Lead Generation, and Website Design...
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- Web Design
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- Athens, Georgia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
At JFJ Media, we don't just offer services - we forge partnerships, understanding your vision and turning it into a tangible reality...
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- Location
- Kielce, Poland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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- $30/hr
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Explore Digital Marketing Specializations
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Popular Services
Everything You Need to Know About Search Engine Marketing Companies
What can search engine marketing agencies do for your business?
The main goal of search engine marketing agencies is to capture high-intent audiences – or users who are actively searching for what you sell – and convert them.
The main benefits of their work include:
1. Immediate visibility and faster growth
Unlike organic SEO, which can take 6 to 12 months to show results, SEM provides almost instant visibility:
- Ads can increase brand awareness by up to 80%, even when users do not click immediately
- Around 66% of high-intent searches go to paid ads instead of organic results
- Top ad positions can drive over 3x more clicks compared to lower placements
2. Clear and scalable ROI
Every click and conversion is tracked, so you know what works and what to scale.
- Businesses often earn about $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads
- eCommerce campaigns often target 4x to 8x return on ad spend
- Profitable campaigns can scale budgets without losing performance
3. Better targeting and higher conversions
Ads reach people based on intent, location, and behavior, not guesswork.
- Demographic targeting can bring 10 to 56% higher conversions with Microsoft Ads
- Brand keywords often convert at 15% to 25%, much higher than generic terms
- Retargeting campaigns can increase conversions by up to 70% by re-engaging visitors
4. Lower wasted spend through optimization
Agencies improve ad quality, targeting, and bidding to reduce unnecessary costs.
- Smart bidding strategies can improve cost per acquisition by around 25%
- Proper keyword targeting and negative keywords can cut wasted spend by up to 45%
- Responsive ads test multiple variations and often drive 13% more conversions than static ads
5. Access to tools and expertise
Agencies provide advanced tools and experienced specialists without in-house hiring.
- Professional tools and platforms can cost $2,000 to $5,000 per month on their own
- Building an in-house team can exceed $200,000 per year in salaries and overhead
- Strong creative, data analysis, and strategy can increase sales performance by around 30%
When should a business invest in search engine marketing?
A business should invest in search engine marketing when it needs fast traffic, clear results, and a way to turn search demand into sales.
Top search engine marketing companies can help you when:
- You need immediate traffic and leads, not months of waiting for organic growth
- People already search for your product or service and show clear buying intent
- You launch a new product, service, or website and need visibility fast
- Organic traffic is low or not converting, and you need a reliable channel
- You have a defined budget and want predictable, trackable results
- You operate in a competitive market and need to secure top search positions
- You want to test offers, messaging, or audiences quickly before scaling further
What types of businesses benefit most from SEM?
SEM benefits most businesses that need fast visibility, want to capture high-intent searches, and can track results clearly.
Businesses that use search engine marketing agencies’ services the most include:
- Local service businesses like dentists, lawyers, and home services that depend on quick leads
- eCommerce brands that sell products people actively search for and can track purchases
- B2B companies with high-value deals where one conversion covers ad costs
- SaaS and tech companies targeting specific problems and search queries
- Healthcare and professional services where users compare options before choosing
- Companies in competitive markets that need visibility faster than SEO can deliver
- Companies with strong margins and clear funnels that turn clicks into revenue
What red flags should you watch out for when hiring a search engine marketing company?
Hiring an SEM agency may seem simple, but poor decisions can quickly drain your budget. Paid search gives quick results, so mistakes show up immediately in spend, not just performance. You need to check how an agency works, not just what they promise they can do.
Before you commit, check a search engine marketing company for the following warning signs:
- Lack of transparency in reporting
You need clear data on spend, clicks, conversions, and fees. Vague reports hide poor performance or wasted budget. - No clear strategy or plan
Strong agencies explain targeting, keywords, and testing approach. Generic plans signal low effort and poor results. - Overreliance on automation
Automation helps, but it cannot replace strategy. Agencies that rely only on automated bidding often miss optimization opportunities. - No discussion about conversion tracking
Clicks alone mean nothing. Proper tracking shows which ads generate leads or sales. Without it, you cannot measure ROI. - Long contracts with no flexibility
Locking clients into long agreements reduces accountability. Good agencies prove value month by month. - Very low pricing
Cheap services often mean minimal work, no testing, and poor management. With an overly affordable SEM company, you might end up paying more through wasted ad spend. - No questions about your business
Serious agencies ask about goals, margins, and your target audience. Lack of interest leads to generic campaigns that do not convert.
What should you ask a search engine marketing company before signing a contract?
Before signing a contract, ask the SEM company clear questions to understand its experience, how it will manage campaigns, and how its work aligns with your goals.
Relevant background
- What industries have you worked with, and what results did you achieve?
- Can you show recent case studies with real performance data?
- What certifications or platform partnerships do you have?
- Who will manage the account, and what is their experience?
Services and processes
- What platforms do you use and how do you choose them?
- How do you structure campaigns and manage budgets?
- How do you test and optimize ads over time?
- What reporting do you provide and how often?
Related to your business
- How will you approach our specific goals and target audience?
- What keywords and targeting strategy would you start with?
- How will you improve our landing pages and conversion rates?
- What results should we expect in the first 3 months?
Sources
DesignRush sustains a directory of over 30,000 agencies categorized by service category, location, expertise, and reviews. We build our database in two ways:
- Our dedicated team of agency experts actively searches the web for top-performing companies. We then pull information from their websites, online presence, and client testimonials to verify their status and qualifications prior to listing.
- The agencies listed get notified of their profiles on the website and they can choose to claim it or not, which suggests their availability for more collaborations.
Agencies can also reach out to DesignRush and must go through the verification process prior to being listed.
Why companies trust DesignRush
Every agency is independently vetted before it can be listed or ranked
4.8
4.8Some agencies pay for sponsored placement, clearly labeled and held to the same vetting standards.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Search Engine Marketing Agencies
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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