As a small business owner, you might have ventured online only to find e-commerce giants dominating Google rankings. While pay-per-click promises quick, albeit temporary, results, the sustainable solution lies in strategic Search Engine Optimization. In an economy where every penny counts, finding an SEO agency that delivers results without breaking the bank is pivotal. No instant gratifications here - SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, and a sudden halt can be detrimental.
The complexity of Google’s ever-evolving algorithms means there are no shortcuts. The key is finding an affordable SEO agency attuned to your business goals, offering customized, cost-effective strategies. With a myriad of SEO agencies around, we’re here to guide you to our top 9, ensuring you get premium, budget-friendly SEO services to elevate your online presence and compete with industry giants.
SEO Agency for Small Business - Outlining the 9 Best:
1. Disruptive Advertising
Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Founded: 2011
Pricing: Minimum campaign size of $5,000, with an average hourly rate between $100 and $149.
Team size: 50 – 249
Best for: Businesses of all sizes
At the core of Disruptive Advertising’s ethos is the belief that SEO growth thrives on data, not mere conjectures. A seasoned leader in the digital realm, this agency promises small businesses an authoritative presence in organic SERPs, enabling them to effortlessly eclipse their competitors. Backing this claim, they underscore that the top position on Google accounts for a staggering 43.32% click-through rate, making it an invaluable real estate for brands to capture.
Disruptive Advertising goes beyond just delivering organic traffic. Their all-encompassing SEO service suite begins with an exhaustive audit, offering businesses insights into their current standing and potential keyword opportunities. Following this, the agency addresses technical issues and recommends enhancements to elevate the user experience. Optimization then ensues, focusing on aspects like metadata improvements, structured data edits, internal linking, and more. In a distinguishing feature, Disruptive couples its SEO strategies with conversion rate optimization (CRO) testing, ensuring that the traffic influx translates to actual sales.
The agency’s commitment to results is evident in its track record. Their clientele boasts sectors ranging from healthcare to B2C businesses and dental professionals, with testimonials praising their deep understanding, dedicated expertise, and impressive ROI delivery. Disruptive Advertising prides itself on its bespoke approach; no two clients receive a templated solution. Every strategy is tailored, ensuring a fresh, effective, and goal-aligned campaign.
Disruptive Advertising
AUTHENTICITY WINS™ Disruptive Advertising is the best performance marketing agency for authentic brands and marketers.
50+
Utah
Best for:
Businesses of all sizes
Disruptive Advertising
AUTHENTICITY WINS™ Disruptive Advertising is the best performance marketing agency for authentic brands and marketers.
2. Sociallyin
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Founded: 2011
Pricing: Minimum project price is $5,000+ with an average hourly rate of $100 – $149 / h.
Team size: 50 – 249
Best for: Businesses of all sizes
SociallyIn is an SEO-focused industry stalwart responsible for successfully orchestrating hundreds of campaigns across varied niches. This agency is synonymous with evidence-backed strategies and consistent results by offering bespoke SEO campaigns, gaining the trust of small brands wanting to dominate their industry’s search terms. Their methodology is rooted in years of research and evidence-based testing, ensuring that brands receive not just promises but tangible results.
The agency’s comprehensive suite of services encompasses every facet of SEO. Beginning with a meticulous audit, the foundation for driving organic traffic and revenue is set. Their content optimization prioritizes reader engagement, ensuring it transcends mere keyword stuffing. On-page optimization expertise promises quick rankings without relying on link-building alone. Using data science and AI SEO tools, SociallyIn provides a unique offering of competitor analysis, reverse-engineering the optimal, niche-specific SEO strategy. Furthermore, their commitment to client transparency is evident with custom analytics that keep businesses updated on all their key performance indicators.
Sociallyin
SociallyIn offers creative content tailored to each business, offering influencer marketing, social media solutions, social media advertising & more.
50+
Atlanta
Best for:
Businesses of all sizes
Sociallyin
SociallyIn offers creative content tailored to each business, offering influencer marketing, social media solutions, social media advertising & more.
3. SmartSites
Location: Paramus, New Jersey
Founded: 2011
Pricing: Minimum project size is $1,000+ with an average hourly rate of $100 – $149 / h.
Team size: 250 – 999
Best for: Small and Medium Size Businesses
SmartSites, a distinguished digital marketing agency, consistently stands out in the realm of SEO with its commitment to ensuring small businesses achieve superior organic visibility. With prestigious recognitions such as “Google Premier Partner 2023”, “Ranked #3 SEO Services by G2”, and being hailed for “Best SEO Services for Small Business by Forbes,” the agency’s accolades underscore its industry prowess and its focus on delivering tangible outcomes for its clients.
Central to SmartSites’ approach is its comprehensive understanding of the myriad variables that influence SERPs, ranging from domain authority to site speed. Their data-driven methodologies are designed to ensure businesses don’t just attract traffic but also achieve measurable returns. Testament to their expertise is their track record: their SEO campaigns have witnessed a staggering 200% increase in traffic within just six months. Their holistic approach extends beyond just SEO, offering a gamut of services from content management and outreach to web development and design, all tailored to individual business goals.
One of the agency’s standout features is their transparency in service delivery, which empowers clients with insights, allowing for informed decision-making. Case studies further illustrate their impact. For instance, the ‘Air Duct Brothers experienced a 375% increase in leads and a 244% surge in organic search traffic. Another client, ‘Anexio,’ saw its organic search traffic skyrocket by 912% and a 247% growth in total site traffic.
SmartSites
Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews online, SmartSites is America's #1 rated digital marketing agency. Get more traffic. Acquire more customers. Sell more stuff. SmartSites w...
50+
New Jersey
Best for:
Small and Medium Size Businesses
SmartSites
Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews online, SmartSites is America's #1 rated digital marketing agency. Get more traffic. Acquire more customers. Sell more stuff. SmartSites w...
4. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Location: Dallas, Texas
Founded: 2005
Pricing: Minimum project size is $1,000+ with an average hourly rate of $100 – $149 / h.
Team size: 10 – 49
Best for: Enterprises, Large and Small brands
Navigating the intricate landscape of search engine optimization (SEO) can be daunting. Thrive, a distinguished SEO agency, recognizes this challenge and has seamlessly bridged the gap between small businesses’ online aspirations and their actual digital presence. Thrive doesn’t merely respond to the ever-changing algorithms of search engines but proactively tailors strategies, ensuring sustainable organic visibility for its clients.
At the heart of Thrive’s approach is a combination of technical expertise and an innate understanding of their clients’ unique needs. They have effectively addressed common pain points: declining website traffic, diminished lead volume, and the overarching challenge of not being found online. Beyond addressing these issues, Thrive also lays emphasis on growing businesses through a myriad of services, ranging from keyword research, link building, local SEO, and on-page SEO to comprehensive solutions like franchise SEO and eCommerce SEO. Their technical proficiency ensures enhanced page speed, optimized back-end processes, and a refined user experience.
Thrive’s commitment to transparency is evident in its track record of tangible results. For instance, a construction company partnering with Thrive saw an impressive 800% increase in online leads and a 126.5% rise in organic search traffic. An eCommerce business benefited with a 130% surge in organic revenue and a 70% uptick in website traffic.
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Thrive is an online marketing agency with a passion to use the power of the Internet to grow your business. Thrive was founded on the conviction that businesses can successfully outshine their competitors with a strong website and an effective onl...
10 - 50
Arlington, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Antonio,
Best for:
Enterprises, Large and Small brands
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Thrive is an online marketing agency with a passion to use the power of the Internet to grow your business. Thrive was founded on the conviction that businesses can successfully outshine their competitors with a strong website and an effective onl...
5. Lyfe Marketing
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Founded: 2011
Pricing: Minimum campaign size is $5,000
Team Size: 10-50
Best for: Digital Optimization of Social Profiles for Increased Visibility
Lyfe Marketing is a small business organic SEO marketing agency that prides itself on delivering substantial results for its clients. With an impressive track record of generating over $108 million in client revenue and managing over 200 client SEO campaigns, they have rightfully earned their recognition as a certified Google partner.
Their services are structured into three main packages, ensuring tailored solutions for various business needs. Each package comprises a set of core services, including keyword optimization, website audit, analytics setup, and more, aimed at improving online visibility. The agency is not just about immediate results; they understand the long-term benefits of SEO. With their assertion that SEO has 20 times more traffic opportunities compared to pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, they guide businesses to effectively harness the power of organic search. Beyond the basic offerings, Lyfe Marketing emphasizes customization. They provide add-on features such as link building, monthly blogging, and video production, allowing businesses to augment their SEO strategies as per specific requirements.
Lyfe Marketing
A leading social media management company that helps businesses grow online. LYFE Marketing helps clients increase leads and sales through social media marketing.
10 - 50
Atlanta
Best for:
Small and Midmarket Businesses
Lyfe Marketing
A leading social media management company that helps businesses grow online. LYFE Marketing helps clients increase leads and sales through social media marketing.
6. Searchberg
Location: New York, New York
Founded: 2005
Pricing: Minimum project size is $1,000+ with an average hourly rate of $25 – $49 / h.
Team size: 10 – 49
Best for: Small Businesses
In the vast landscape of SEO agencies, Searchberg stands tall with a laser focus on driving tangible results, especially for small businesses. Emphasizing the importance of visibility in the digital era, the agency advocates for SEO as the bedrock of online success. Their credentials are substantial: more than 20,000 websites audited, over a million pages optimized, 2.5 million keywords ranked, and thousands of satisfied clients echoing their efficiency.
Searchberg takes a multi-faceted approach to SEO. Their services encompass a holistic range, from local SEO, market insights, and link building to specialized SEO audits. Their commitment to delivering industry-specific solutions on a localized market is evident as they offer tailored strategies, whether for startups, established companies, or other agencies. But a standout feature is their attention to small businesses. They not only empathize with the challenges small businesses face but also devise impactful campaigns to transition them from obscurity to being a recognizable name.
A local healthcare clinic, through a partnership with Searchberg, saw a significant uptick in their online metrics. Specifically, they experienced a 70% increase in online leads and a 130% surge in organic traffic.
7. Social Firm
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Founded: 2010
Pricing: Minimum project size is $5,000+ with an average hourly rate of $150 – $199 / hr
Team size: 10 – 49
Best for: Small Businesses and Midmarket Agencies
Navigating the competitive terrain of SEO demands expertise, innovation, and results-oriented strategies, traits embodied by Social Firm. Recognized as a leading Columbus SEO agency, Social Firm emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive Search Engine Optimization package to ensure digital prominence.
Central to Social Firm’s approach is a meticulous audit process. They commence with a technical audit, assessing metrics, content, site structure, and backlink profile to craft a tailored action plan. Followed by keyword research, they delve into user search behaviors, ensuring content aligns with target audience demands. Their SEO Strategy adopts both integrated digital marketing and channel-specific goals, setting benchmarks to evaluate success. Completing the cycle, measurement and reporting ensures continuous assessment, focusing on metrics that genuinely impact business growth.
Social Firm, with its array of services, from website design to content marketing, stands out as a comprehensive solution for small businesses aiming to dominate their competitors. Their tailored approach, combined with a results-driven mindset, positions them as a top contender in the realm of SEO agencies.
8. Winston Digital Marketing
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Founded: 2016
Pricing: Minimum project size is $1,000+ with an average hourly rate of $150 – $199 / h.
Team size: 2 – 9
Best for: Small Businesses
Winston Digital Marketing distinguishes itself by offering enterprise-level SEO services tailored to fit the budget constraints and specific needs of small and growing businesses. The agency prides itself on a return on investment driven approach, rooted in a profound understanding of each client’s business, objectives, and target audience. The agency’s team of professionals, each boasting an average of over eight years of experience, have honed their skills in prestigious agencies, ensuring clients receive award-winning strategies tailored for optimal results.
The core of Winston Digital Marketing’s SEO offerings lies in their meticulous approach to the basics, often overlooked by others. They offer a comprehensive suite of services, including keyword research, on-page optimizations, technical SEO audits, and competitive analyses aimed at substantial organic growth. The agency promises rapid response times and fosters a partnership ethos, positioning itself as a vendor and a trusted ally in the business growth journey.
Success stories, including a 250% YoY growth in SEO traffic for New York Harbor Tours and a 347% increase in ranked keywords for Inside Music Schools, underscore the agency’s capability to deliver tangible results.
9. RegisTeam
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Founded: 2015
Pricing: Minimum project size is $1,000+ with an average hourly rate of $25 – $49 / hr
Team size: 10 – 49
Best for: Small Businesses
RegisTeam is comprehended as a robust SEO agency with a proven record of enhancing online visibility and sales for small businesses across various sectors. Their modus operandi is rooted in an empirical approach, offering SEO Pay-Per-Result services that are substantiated by tangible outcomes. Through an extensive analysis of over 1.5 million keywords, RegisTeam has adeptly navigated 450+ websites to the pinnacle of Google search results across 25+ countries, embodying their expertise in delivering global SEO solutions that are both efficient and effective.
The agency’s prowess is exhibited in their holistic SEO strategy, which commences with an intricate market study. Every client’s unique digital landscape is carefully assessed, encompassing a detailed competitive analysis and an exhaustive examination of the website’s position on Google. Subsequently, RegisTeam undertakes meticulous website optimization, amalgamating technical rectifications with high-quality content creation fostering an impeccable external optimization.
Their mastery in SEO is further amplified by the tailored promotion strategies for each project, a testament to their dedication to offering personalized solutions to meet diverse business needs.
Why Small Businesses Need SEO?
In today's digital age, small businesses face the monumental task of carving out a space for themselves in the online world. With countless companies vying for attention, the importance of standing out cannot be overstated. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) becomes not just beneficial but essential. Let's go over a few reasons why every small business needs SEO.
SEO Makes You Visible in a Crowded Digital Marketplace
Every small business is striving for attention. SEO is your lighthouse in a sea of online content. It's not just about being online; it's about being found. With millions of websites vying for attention, SEO helps your business stand out. When your website is optimized for search engines, you climb up the ranks in search results, making it more likely for potential customers to find you amidst the clutter. This visibility is crucial. It translates to traffic, engagement, and, ultimately, sales. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency and their work for Ready Seal, a small business that sells wood stain and sealer products, exemplifies this. The business faced challenges standing out in an oversaturated market. Thrive came in and conducted an SEO audit, extensive keyword research, and built an entirely new eCommerce website. The results were astonishing: +40% organic traffic, +32% referral traffic, and +29% online leads.
Source: Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
SEO Builds Credibility and Trust
Trust and credibility are currencies in the business world, and SEO helps you accumulate them. How? By ensuring your business appears at the top of search results. This top-tier positioning subconsciously signals to potential customers that your business is a credible and trusted authority in your field. It's like being recommended by a trusted friend; only in this case, the friend is the search engine. SEO agencies do this through various means, but content is the most widely used one. For example, SmartSites specializes in blogging. They do their due diligence and write research-based content. Their team of in-house SEO experts and writers provides a unique service crucial for small businesses to gain a competitive edge. By delivering quality, informative content that aligns with both search engine algorithms and user interests, SmartSites positions your business as a relevant and authoritative source in your industry.
Source: SmartSites
SEO Is Cost-Effective Marketing
Let's talk numbers, but not the ones that drain your wallet. Unlike many digital marketing strategies, SEO stands out as a cost-effective solution. For example, 70% of marketers consider SEO more cost-effective than PPC advertising. That's because paid advertising can offer quick visibility, but its effects are short-lived and often costly. SEO, on the other hand, requires an initial investment of time and resources but delivers more sustainable, long-term benefits. SEO also targets users actively seeking your products or services online, leading to more qualified traffic and higher conversion rates.
SEO Understands Your Customers' Needs
In business, grasping the intricacies of your customer's needs is the key to success, and this is where SEO shines, extending far beyond mere keyword targeting. It delves into valuable insights through various tools. Google Analytics, for instance, sheds light on user behavior on your website, revealing patterns like which pages hold attention and where visitors might be dropping off. This information is crucial for understanding engagement and pinpointing areas for improvement. Meanwhile, Google Search Console offers a lens into the search queries that bring users to your site, illuminating the language and intent behind their searches. This insight is invaluable for tailoring your content to align with the exact needs and questions of your audience.
Additionally, heat mapping tools like Hotjar and Crazy Egg provide a visual representation of where users click, move, and scroll on your site. This visual data uncovers user engagement hotspots and areas that may be overlooked, guiding you to optimize your website layout and content placement for a better user experience. All these tools collectively enable a deeper understanding of your customers, empowering you to create a more engaging, relevant, and ultimately successful online presence.
Source: Crazy Egg
SEO Helps You Market Locally
For small businesses, the local market is often the lifeblood. SEO plays a pivotal role in local online marketing. By optimizing for local search, you ensure that your business shows up when nearby customers are searching for products or services you offer. This includes appearing in local directories and Google My Business listings and ensuring your location and contact information is consistent across the web. Local SEO puts you on the map, both literally and figuratively, making it easier for your community to find and support you. An agency with an extensive local SEO offering is Searchberg. In one case study, they helped a pet grooming company increase its local visibility through SEO services. First, they performed keyword research to target the terms local customers would search for. Then, they optimized their website and content to rank for them. The results speak for themselves:
Source: Searchberg
The impact of SEO on small businesses is undeniable. It extends from increasing online visibility and building credibility to providing cost-effective marketing and understanding customer behavior. Moreover, SEO plays a vital role in local market reach and offers lasting benefits for business sustainability. Essentially, for small businesses, embracing SEO is essential for success in the competitive digital landscape.
How to Hire the Best SEO Agency for Small Business
We've established that small business owners can stand out in a crowded marketplace by focusing on SEO. However, SEO is complex and requires a thorough understanding of the factors affecting the search algorithm. These encompass keyword optimization, content quality, user experience, mobile responsiveness, and backlink profiles. Given this complexity, partnering with a skilled SEO agency becomes crucial for navigating these multifaceted aspects effectively and elevating your business's online footprint. Let's see how to hire the best partner for the job.
Recognize Your SEO Needs
Firstly, it's essential to pinpoint your specific SEO requirements. Ask yourself, do you need to boost web traffic, enhance your search engine rankings, or expand your online visibility? Focusing on local search optimization can often yield more impactful results for small businesses than targeting a national audience. As luck would have it, most agencies on this list specialize in local SEO, as it is the bedrock of online visibility for small businesses. By being precise about your goals, you set the stage for more strategic decision-making and better alignment with an SEO partner that can fulfill your objectives.
Conduct Thorough Research and Seeking Referrals
The next step involves conducting meticulous research into potential SEO agencies. Look beyond surface-level impressions by seeking referrals from trusted sources, reading comprehensive reviews, and examining the agency's history of delivering tangible results. It's also crucial to evaluate their expertise in your specific industry, as this can offer profound insights into their level of proficiency and tailored approach to your business's needs. Below is an example of the business areas RegisTeam are experts in.
Source: RegisTeam
Prioritize Transparency and Communication
Choose an SEO agency that values transparency in their methodology and maintains consistent communication. An agency's willingness to openly discuss their strategies and provide regular updates is a strong indicator of a trustworthy and effective partnership. This openness ensures that you are always in the loop and reassured of the agency's commitment to your success. Below is a testimonial taken from one of the agencies on our list, Winston Digital.
Source: Winston Digital
Analyze the Costs Against the Benefits
When selecting an SEO agency for your small business, it's essential to weigh the costs against the benefits they offer. Affordability, in this context, transcends mere cost-effectiveness; it's about recognizing the value inherent in the services provided. For example, Thrive SEO Agency offers comprehensive packages starting at around $1,000 per SEO project. These packages are specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses, encompassing a full range of SEO services from keyword research to on-page optimization.
On the other hand, Disruptive Advertising, with packages starting at $5,000 per SEO campaign, represents a different value proposition. While also catering to a wide range of SEO needs, their approach is distinguished by a more intensive campaign strategy, potentially involving more in-depth market analysis and a broader scope of optimization techniques. This difference in approach and pricing reflects the diverse needs and budgets of small businesses, emphasizing the importance of aligning your business objectives with the agency's offerings.
Evaluate Their SEO Strategies
When assessing an agency's SEO strategies, it's crucial to ensure they offer customized solutions that align with your business's specific requirements. For instance, Social Firm places a significant emphasis on local SEO. This focus is particularly beneficial for small businesses, as it targets community-based customers, enhancing local visibility and driving region-specific traffic. Their approach exemplifies how a specialized strategy, like concentrating on local SEO, can be exceptionally effective for small businesses, contrasting with the less effective one-size-fits-all models.
Selecting the right SEO agency for your small business is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence your digital footprint. By thoroughly understanding your needs, researching potential partners, insisting on transparency, evaluating cost-effectiveness, and assessing their strategic approach, you position your business for greater online success.
Methodology
Leveraging over six years of experience in digital marketing, and having reviewed over 14,000 agencies and written more than 3,000 articles, we crafted a comprehensive methodology to identify the Best SEO Agency for Small Businesses. Our approach was tailored to the unique needs of small enterprises, focusing on agencies that excel in providing local SEO, cost-effective strategies, and personalized services.
We assessed each agency’s proficiency in enhancing online visibility and driving targeted traffic, key for small business growth. Our evaluation also included how these agencies adapt to the dynamic digital marketing landscape, a critical factor for sustained success.
Client testimonials and detailed case studies were pivotal in our analysis, offering insights into real-world results and customer satisfaction. This in-depth methodology ensures our selection reflects agencies that not only understand the nuances of small business SEO but also have a proven track record of delivering impactful results.
Conclusion
Being visible is not merely about having an online presence but being strategically positioned at the forefront. As the e-commerce landscape becomes increasingly saturated, small businesses face the arduous challenge of contending against industry giants.
When that’s the case, leveraging SEO emerges as a crucial differentiator. The right SEO agency, as illustrated by our top 9 picks for 2024, can craft tailored, cost-effective strategies that offer not just online prominence but tangible business growth. With meticulous research, clarity in goals, and the insights provided in this article, small businesses are equipped to navigate the SEO maze, ensuring they don't just participate in the digital race but lead it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does an SEO agency do for small businesses?
An SEO agency helps small businesses improve their online visibility by optimizing their website, enhancing search engine rankings, and increasing organic web traffic. They achieve this through various strategies such as keyword optimization, content creation, and technical website improvements.
How can I determine if my small business needs SEO services?
If your business has an online presence or a website, SEO services can benefit you. If you aim to reach a wider audience, compete with competitors in search rankings, or boost online sales, SEO is essential.
What should I look for in an SEO agency for my small business?
Look for agencies with experience in your industry, a track record of delivering results, transparent pricing, and a clear communication process. Ensure they offer customized strategies that align with your budget and goals.
Are affordable SEO services effective for small businesses?
Yes, affordable SEO services can be highly effective for small businesses. What matters is the value you receive for your investment. A good agency can tailor its services to suit your budget while still achieving significant improvements in your online presence.
