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.
Alyne is a digital business solutions company that helps organizations build, market, and scale their operations through integrated technology and digital marketing services. The company combines website and software development, AI-powered automation, CRM implementation, and lead generation strategies to...
Top Services:
- CRM Consulting
- IT Services
- AI Development
- Web Design
- Web Development
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- Location
- Texas City, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $49/hr
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
- Content Marketing
- PPC
- Show more
- Location
- León, Mexico
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Nflux Digital is a Glasgow-based agency specialising in Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) helping UK businesses get cited in ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews, alongside SEO, PPC, web design and email marketing...
Top Services:
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- Web Design
- Email Marketing
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- Location
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
We're a Digital marketing agency for tradies & service-based businesses, Australia-wide! Were a 5-star team of tradie marketing pros who've been in the game together for over a decade...
Top Services:
- Logo Design
- Web Design
- PPC
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Tootgarook, Australia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
We are based out in Anaheim, California. We know the local businesses marketing issues. Needs of the Small Businesses and their Budget. We grow with them...
Top Services:
- Social Media Marketing
- Web Development
- UI/UX Design
- Branding
- eCommerce Development
- Show more
- Location
- Anaheim, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $75/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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
- Web Design
- Social Media Marketing
- PPC
- SEO
- Show more
- Location
- Glass House Mountains, Australia
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
ITllect is a premier digital agency where intelligent design meets high-performance growth. Based in Plantation, Florida, we provide brands nationwide with a technical edge through custom web development and multi-channel marketing. Our expertise spans expert SEO, Paid Media, E-commerce optimization, and...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- eCommerce Development
- Web Development
- Media Buying
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Plantation, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
SEO Results is an established SEO company with 15+ years of experience delivering consistent, revenue-driven growth for businesses and agency partners. With deep expertise in high-quality link building and long-term SEO strategy, we focus on the fundamentals that actually move the needle. Our transparent...
Top Services:
- SEO
- eCommerce
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Services
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- Location
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $125/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Market Forever Global is an AI-enhanced growth partner focuses on helping service businesses create predictable client growth through smarter marketing systems...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- SEO
- PPC
- Show more
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $25/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Idievo INC. is a US-registered digital agency specializing in CRM infrastructure, marketing automation, and business systems for small and mid-sized businesses across North America. We design and deploy GoHighLevel CRM systems that centralize your pipeline, automate your customer communications, and eliminate...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- CRM Consulting
- AI Development
- Digital Marketing
- Web Development
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- Location
- Sheridan, Wyoming
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $25/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- Web Development
- Digital Services
- 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...
Top Services:
- AEO
- Affiliate Marketing
- CRO
- SEO
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- Location
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $60/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Morpheus Consulting Inc. helps addiction treatment and behavioral health organizations with SEO, paid search, content strategy, website design, and performance measurement...
Top Services:
- SEO
- PPC
- AEO
- Web Design
- Web Development
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- Location
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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...
Top Services:
- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
- eCommerce Development
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Visakhapatnam, India
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $10/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
- Portfolios Count
- 1 Project Listed
We help business owners delete the digital FOMO (fear of missing out), by aligning a smart digital strategy that makes sense for your business and your bottom line...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Business Consulting
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Services
- Show more
- Location
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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
- Show more
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Whether you have an in-house marketing expert or are just starting to look for a digital marketing consultant for your financial, legal, or government organization, we can help accelerate your growth with results-driven digital marketing campaigns. As a digital marketing consultant, my team and I will work...
Top Services:
- Email Marketing
- Content Marketing
- SEO
- PPC
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Web Tick Digital provides SEO, digital marketing, web development, and app development services in UK, USA, Germany and other Europe Countries...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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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- Show more
- Location
- Athens, Greece
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $20/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
We transform ideas into useful, scalable, and realistic technology. From apps to validated IT talent, we help you grow with tailored digital solutions...
Top Services:
- Software Development
- Mobile App Development
- Web Design
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
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- Location
- Managua, Nicaragua
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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...
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- Digital Marketing
- PPC
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- CRO
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- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $85/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
MAC5 Web Design & Marketing helps clients focus their Online presence, Brand perception and Marketing efforts through Digital Media...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Strategy
- Web Development
- Show more
- Location
- Duncan, Canada
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
KKBC is a B2B marketing agency, with the singular mission to maximize the value of multinational B2B companies' marketing investments.Our multicultural team of communication experts is experienced at partnering with multinational clients to solve unique international marketing challenges...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Media Buying
- PPC
- Digital Strategy
- SEO
- Show more
- Location
- Shibuya City, Japan
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $75/hr
Since 1997, more than 1,000 B2B and B2C companies worldwide have trusted Northwoods to lead, develop and execute more than 5,000 digital strategies, digital marketing and advertising initiatives, websites, and software projects...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- UI/UX Design
- Digital Strategy
- Web Design
- Web Development
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- Location
- Shorewood, Wisconsin
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $200/hr
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...
Top Services:
- Design Services
- Graphic Design
- Logo Design
- Digital Services
- Web Design
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- Location
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
RTL Digital Media offers a number of solutions to help you make people adore your brand as much as you do. We understand that excellent branding is a combination of good processes and strong graphic execution. Our designers have designed or reinvented branding packages for both large and small...
Top Services:
- SEO
- Advertising
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- eCommerce Development
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- Location
- Kennesaw, Georgia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $175/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Whether you are a small medium business(Sme), startup or a large enterprise, we are dedicated to helping increase your online visibility, and drive sustainable business growth in the Indonesian market...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- PPC
- Digital Services
- SEO
- Web Design
- Show more
- Location
- South Jakarta, Indonesia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
GHC GMBH, a distinguished online marketing optimization agency, stands as a premier provider offering unparalleled SEO marketing and e-commerce solutions tailored for companies situated in the prominent business hubs of Sursee, Geneva, and Zurich. Leveraging our extensive expertise, we are committed to...
Top Services:
- Graphic Design
- Web Design
- Affiliate Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Sursee, Switzerland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Heur is a holistic performance marketing and ecommerce trading agency for progressive companies. We enable growth by becoming your team. Connecting business goals to day to day tactics with holistic strategy and long term thinking, our 'done for you' ecommerce and digital marketing is unique, lean and...
Top Services:
- UI/UX Design
- CRO
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- eCommerce
- Show more
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
It's the digitally connected companies that deliver for all. A dedication to create meaningful, lasting and enjoyable experiences that in turn reward with growth, success and loyalty. We offer innovative, effective digital solutions that drive business growth and improve customer satisfaction...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Logo Design
- Design Services
- Show more
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $180/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Apex Marketing offers comprehensive solutions for business growth. We specialize in web development, social media management, PPC, SEO, content, and email marketing, ensuring your brand stands out and thrives in the digital realm...
Top Services:
- Web Design
- Web Development
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Show more
- Location
- Saint Peter Port, Guernsey
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $20/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Achieving the desired SEO results may seem difficult, because very few companies apply real SEO strategies, but applying a solid and sustainable strategy can make all the difference...
Top Services:
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Advertising
- eCommerce
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- Location
- Palma, Spain
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Strategiczni.pl is not just a marketing agency. It's strategic ally in Wroclaw, Poland, designed to propel your business goals. We specialize in IT, e-commerce, healthcare and legal sectors, delivering tailored, industry-specific marketing strategies. Our services range from SEO and targeted advertising to...
Top Services:
- Digital Strategy
- Web Design
- UI/UX Design
- eCommerce Development
- Web Development
- Show more
- Location
- Wroclaw, Poland
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $150/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
We're a company specializing in the incubation of ideas, from product design and braistorming to digital marketing and beyong. Our aim, is to make your ideas grow!...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Graphic Design
- Branding
- Creative Services
- Digital Strategy
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- Location
- Palmela, Portugal
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $85/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Eklektika is a dynamic digital marketing agency driven by a passion for delivering tangible results and imaginative solutions. Immerse yourself in the #EklektikaStateOfMind, where we excel in branding and graphic design, web design, social media marketing, and content marketing. Reach out to us, and let's...
Top Services:
- Digital Services
- Graphic Design
- Branding
- Digital Strategy
- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Helppli is your 360° Marketing & Development Team. From Marketing Strategy to Web & App Development, we deliver it all. Have a vision? Contact us today!...
Top Services:
- Graphic Design
- Video Production
- Web Design
- Web Development
- WordPress Website Design
- Show more
- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Web360 es una agencia integral de crecimiento digital con más de 20 años de experiencia ayudando a marcas a escalar a través de marketing digital, desarrollo web, SEO y estrategias de performance. Trabajamos con empresas de distintos rubros creando soluciones personalizadas...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Web Development
- eCommerce Development
- SEO
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- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $49/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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
- Web Development
- Public Relations
- SEO
- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Destin, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $75/hr
- Minimal Budget
- 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...
Top Services:
- PPC
- Social Media Marketing
- Web Design
- Web Development
- SEO
- Show more
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $125/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Pixel is a web and advertising agency established in 2005 in Tunisia. We specialize in website creation, hosting, and SEO, as well as graphic design and brand identity development. Our expertise includes crafting visual identities, logos, and comprehensive graphic charters, along with producing a wide range...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Location
- Nabeul, Tunisia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
North American Media Experts is a top digital marketing agency based in Ontario, specializing in programmatic advertising, paid search, and paid social across North America. We serve builders, contractors, hospitality, and moreleveraging AI-driven optimization across multiple DSPs to boost ROI. From display...
Top Services:
- Digital Marketing
- Location
- Mississauga, Canada
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Wittipmedia Ltd is a London digital marketing agency helping businesses grow online through SEO, Google Ads management, and data-driven marketing strategies. We focus on increasing visibility, generating qualified leads, and building scalable online growth for small and medium-sized businesses...
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- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- PPC
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- Video Production
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- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $80/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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...
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- Digital Marketing
- Branding
- Web Design
- 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
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
- Digital Strategy
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- WordPress Website Design
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- Location
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $20/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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- Product Design
- Digital Strategy
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- Location
- Hobart, Australia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Plato is a full-service marketing, digital and design agency based in Christchurch and Auckland that focuses on partnership and using a time-proven method to drive real growth for ambitious businesses and brands throughout New Zealand and beyond...
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- Creative Services
- Web Development
- eCommerce Development
- Web Design
- SEO
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- Location
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
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- $1,000 - $10,000
BRAINT is a specialized Paid Media Agency founded in 2017 in Medellín, Colombia. We help companies turn digital advertising into measurable business growth through strategy, data, technology, and AI-powered optimization...
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- PPC
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Services
- Digital Marketing
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- Show more
- Location
- Medellín, Colombia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Elevate your marketing success with FabCom, the top Phoenix Integrated Marketing Agency. Our dynamic team goes beyond the ordinary, delivering exceptional ROI and empowering brands to reach new heights. With passionate creatives and strategic thinkers, we craft engaging advertising campaigns, leveraging...
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- Branding
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- Digital Marketing
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- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Monkey Plus is a digital marketing agency in Ecuador, based in Quito, that helps businesses attract demand, convert leads, automate sales processes and build customer loyalty. It combines digital marketing, web development, influencer marketing and process automation, supported by SEO, SEM, AEO/GEO,...
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- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- eCommerce Development
- Show more
- Location
- Quito, Ecuador
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $40/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
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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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