SEO Brand

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

VP, International Digital Marketing at COGENCY GLOBAL.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SEO Brand, and what were your goals?

We hired SEO Brand to manage our SEO and increase our organic conversions.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I found them online and decided to go with them because I was impressed with their portfolio and their honesty in quoting a price that worked for our budget and scope of work. We came in willing to spend more than we needed to and they told us that a portion of our budget would be enough to accomplish our goal. They earned my trust right away!

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

The objective in engaging SEO Brand was to raise our SEO profile. Since work with this agency 3 years ago, we have seen our organic and direct qualified conversions increase. They are very thorough in analyzing our content needs and deliver solutions that improve the health of our website.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Over the 3 years we have been with SEO Brand, we have worked with Pollethe, Marithza, and John and they have all been knowledgable and great to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Rankings for key pages on SERPs have gone up since working SEO Brand and we have also increased the volumne of Organic traffic.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our teams work very well together for the most part.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their honesty in the price quoting process when we first started working with them.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Content writing wasn't very strong in the beginning but it has improved over time. Training of new agency employees to get up to speed faster on the account would also be helpful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We sell night syrups with natural bases. We’re originally a Dutch company and my boss, located in Canada, bought the company.

All of our syrups have a base of honey and seven organic herbs, and the one that we introduced to the US market is a pharmaceutical, over-the-counter product for better sleep. We set up a US company to start US sales. I work in operations and general management of the US company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

We were trying to find an online digital partner that would build a website for us and would be a long-term partner in terms of digital marketing. We have a company like that in the Netherlands, and since we started working with them, we’ve seen a lot of growth.

We were looking for the same type of service in the US, so the company preferably would be able to offer web design, SEO, and advertising. We wanted everything under the same roof if possible. The company also needed to meet the quality and standards that we were looking for in a digital agency.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SEO Brand designed and built the website for us. It’s quite a heavy website with for instance programs such as reviews, customer loyalty, B2B sales, and an affiliate program.

We’re now moving into their digital marketing and social media service, focusing on SEO and advertisement.

What is the team composition?

So far for web development, we have worked with the following team: Kelli (Senior Project Manager) is my main point of contact, James, a project developer, Ana, our SEO account manager, Taylor (Assistant Content Manager) as a content writer, and now Lourdes (Social Media Optimization Specialist) for social media. They are all great to work with: responsive, communicative, and an eye for details.

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

We went through Clutch, contacting different web designers. While we first needed the site done, we asked in our proposal questions if they also provided other digital services.

We went through 10 companies. We wanted to first build the website with different programs and functionalities. SEO Brand gave us the most detailed proposal, stating what type of technologies and plugins we’d be using. I believe they jumped into the most detail, and they offered a longer-term perspective for our digital marketing.

SEO Brand was a bit more expensive than other companies, but they already provided more attention just by presenting everything to us. We saw that they had a very good idea of how they wanted to go about it, which gave us confidence.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $10,000–$49,999. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started at the end of October 2020, and the website was completed in March 2021. We’re still using their digital marketing services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Beforehand, we discussed the programs that we wanted to have installed. We wanted a user-friendly experience and a design that matched our brand image. I kept that in mind throughout the project, ensuring they were meeting our expectations and adhering to the initial contract. They also had that written out.

Having that proposal that they initially sent gave structure to the project to ensure that everything was being met. If there were times where I thought we needed to take a little bit of a different direction, I would get on a call with my account manager and others to ensure everything was aligned with what we wanted. In that sense, the communication was very strong from their end.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication style was great. It was sometimes even better than I expected because they would bring in new ideas or elements. They would give me feedback.

I’m a minimalist when it comes to website design. If I made a suggestion that didn’t quite work, they were also critical towards me, which I really like. SEO Brand is truly a partner that we’re working and brainstorming with. If there were any issues, they could jump on a Zoom call with us.

During the design phase, we had weekly meetings when things were moving fast. When we went into the development phase, our meetings would be bi-weekly because we needed to wait for the developer. We had meetings through UberConference, and I also have the account manager’s phone number. If anything came up that we hadn’t discussed, I could email them as well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their dedication was the most impressive. I’m sure we’re not their biggest client, but every member of their team I’ve worked with is dedicated to the project. It’s nice to know that we’ve found a true partner.

That dedication shows through their work, their communication, and the team’s knowledge. It comes from the high level all the way down, and they incorporate that in how they treat customers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

For now, I don’t really have anything that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’ve spoken to someone who found them on Clutch and was contemplating working with SEO Brand. It’s still a personal decision, but I feel like we made the right decision. I’ve worked with other US agencies that were strong with getting me in with their sales, but after that, they never followed up. I think this is where SEO Brand is different.

I’m really happy with our experience that I hope others will have the same. They’re a great partner to have.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Shopping For Soldiers and Needs For Our Troops.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

I wanted to build a website more geared to our organizational needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were not happy with our GoDaddy site and had lost a lot of data when we attempted to merge the two sites together. They’re in the process of building a new website and making sure that all relevant documents and data can be properly combined. They’ve handled design and coding for the new site. In fact, they recently completed a graphic for us that wasn’t even required. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Kelly (Project Manager), who their owner thought would be able to help our organization benefit homeless veterans. Her husband is a long-time veteran in the Air Force, so she connected with our goals. Kelly is our main point of contact, but she may also have an assistant or two. 

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

We were experiencing challenges with our website and happened to run into their owner’s wife. After telling her about our problem, she reached out to him. He got back to us in two days, saying that he’d be happy to help us upgrade our website.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since November 2020. We’re hoping to wrap the project up very soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Based on Kelly’s high-quality work that I’ve seen so far, this site is going to absolutely increase our potential for acquiring new sponsors. They’ve been fantastic, and I’m very happy with their work.  

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

Kelly is very accessible, responding to emails and speaking with me verbally when needed. It’s great to be working with a company that has an empathetic understanding of our work. I appreciate their personal touch with communication.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re such a pleasure to work with, and I’m excited to see the final product. I’ve been very impressed with their owner and Kelly. They’ve been able to build us dynamic graphics that we weren’t even expecting from the partnership.

It’s always been a collaborative effort, never their way or the highway. They do their due diligence to make sure that everything is running smoothly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything at this time. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Given them a call and explain your requirements. Let them evaluate how to accomplish your company goals. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’d recommend them to anyone that needs website work

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a telemedicine company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

We needed to get our rankings up on Google for organic search.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SEO Brand provides SEO services. We picked out a bunch of keywords, and they started ranking us for them. They optimized some of my content, pictures, and tags. They have also created content, such as our product descriptions.

What is the team composition?

I speak with two people, but I imagine there are others.

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

I Googled SEO, and they appeared in the top search results. I figured if they could write themselves for SEO, they should be able to do it pretty well.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in November 2019, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I don’t keep up with any metrics. They send me a weekly report, which I glance at. However, there have been points in time when I’ve definitely noticed increases in new customers and things like that.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve done great. We communicate through bi-weekly calls, and then we email if we have any questions. They use a platform. It’s very easy to get in touch with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with quite a few SEO firms, and so far, they’ve done the best. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Irish Eddie® Knife Sharpening is a small, family-owned knife sharpening business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

We were looking to improve our reach and ranking on Google, establish a social media presence, create ads, and revamp our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We relied on their expertise to help us because we’re not familiar with SEO. SEO Brand did an analysis of the website, a keyword analysis, and a competitive analysis. They told us which keywords worked and which ones didn’t. 

They also told us how to get our brand out there. Additionally, the team posted on Google My Business and did some Facebook Ads, and they upgraded our website.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with five team members: two who handle social media, two SEO specialists, and a supervisor. 

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

I did a Google search and I looked locally. I came across SEO Brand’s reviews and noticed that they worked with both large and small companies. Their reviews were also consistent. The fact that we are a small business didn’t dissuade the team at all.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $15,000–$25,000, excluding ad spend. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with SEO Brand in October 2019, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our website looks much more professional and it has a better keyword focus. Our rankings on Google have improved tremendously, and we’re getting a lot of traction from the work that SEO Brand did. 

If you Google “knife sharpener” or “knife sharpening,” our business comes up first or second, which wasn’t the case before. Our search results have improved because the team knows what they’re doing. I do what they tell me and the results speak for themselves. 

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is superb and organized. They communicate well internally, which means that the SEO teammates know what the social media teammates are doing and vice versa. They work very well as a cohesive group.

Even though we’re a small business, they never make us feel like we’re unimportant. We get the same attention and response time as they give other larger companies. SEO Brand is also very responsive, which is extraordinary considering how small we are.

If I have a question, I get an answer within an hour or two. It feels like we’re a part of their family. They are committed to helping us grow our business, and it’s very clear. I can’t say enough good things about them. SEO Brand also helps us to track our analytics, and they provide us with weekly reports.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We have an all-female team, and that’s what sets them apart. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions. I’ve never had an issue, and SEO Brand has never let us down. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Set up a meeting with SEO Brand before you start. When we met with them, they walked us through our website and told us what they could improve.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of communications for a healthcare organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

Our company had an outdated website, so we needed a partner to develop a more modern, up to date, mobile-friendly platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SEO Brand created a website for our company. It was an enjoyable experience, so we hired their team to build our second company’s website. They designed both of the platforms’ frontends. We worked together on design concepts, which their design team then created and edited until I was satisfied.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, they updated our website and created portals to work for our eight offices. Their team implemented functions that allow us to work from home and enable us to provide services without having our patients come into our offices. They created hidden and password-protected sections of our webpages.

SEO Brand also provides SEO services. Their team works on both off-site and on-site initiatives.

What is the team composition?

I’m primarily in contact with two people, Kelli (Project Manager), and Josh (Account Manager). When I need to edit the scope of work, I contact Danielle (Director of New Business Development).

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

We found them through a referral. When it was time to rebuild our website, our partner recommended SEO Brand. They were one of the three companies that we considered. We ultimately chose them because we clicked.   

How much have you invested with them?

On our SEO efforts, we spend between $2,000–$2,500 per month. For both websites, we’ve spent between $6,000–$10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked together for about two years now. We officially started working on the website in January 2018, and our partnership’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our traffic improved. In comparison to last May, our rankings on Google jumped up too. We're ranked in the top five spots for keywords that we previously didn't rank for.

Everyone needs a website, but not everyone may know what they need. SEO Brand knows how to communicate what we need for a successful website.

Their team also works quickly. I’ll send them an e-mail at 10 a.m. and by noon, it’s done. I don’t know how else to say it: I love them.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team helps with data analytics and sends reports weekly. We’re at a point where I barely have to read their content to approve it. They understand our business, so I approve their optimized content most of the time.

Their organization’s well set-up. They have a system, so I know that when I e-mail Kelli, she’ll reach out to the proper department and get back to me. They’re structured and function well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re genuine and caring people. I don’t want an agency that just tells me what I want to hear. I like people who understand that at the end of the day, I want a great product. They’re not afraid to tell me when an idea won’t work or provide a suggestion. Their team cares about doing the work that will actually make a product great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, as far as I’m concerned, they don’t need to do anything better.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be honest. Tell them exactly what you want whether or not it’s far-fetched. Their team will come up with the right scope and plan to help you. They’re also not opposed to switching managers. If you’re not clicking with your project manager, they’re happy to assign a different one.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the project manager for a healthcare provider.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

We had several challenges that we wanted to improve using SEO. We specifically wanted to target different services we offer and the hospital itself.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped maximize our positioning in search for our retina and glaucoma service. They improved the content on our site so we would rank higher and have better UX content. They did keyword research and we would review it. They helped us a bit with some paid search as well.

What is the team composition?

We had one primary contact, and on occasion, one of their paid search team members helped out.

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

We got lucky and found them on the internet. After multiple conversations and their presentation, they helped us understand how they could help our business. We felt that they were the best company to work with. We were confident that they were interested in helping us and would deliver.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2019. Currently, the project is paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but hope to pick it back up in the near future.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’ve seen an increase in performance for our content in search. SEO is a gradual process, but over time, we’ve seen an improvement in how our content ranks.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

They were exceptional. We were a difficult client, because we had numerous people involved in our decision-making process and we made lots of changes, but they couldn’t have been more responsive to our needs. Our point person from SEO Brand delivered way above what we expected, and they helped us achieve our goals.

They made presentations on the analytics they’ve gathered on the project success.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They quickly understood our goals and were able to manage it. It’s often hard to do for people who don’t understand the content, and we’re in healthcare, so everything we produce is very niche. They did a very good job at being proactive and digging up information in order to help us better.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really, they did a good job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s a relationship, so you need to find the right partner for you. SEO Brand was the right partner for us. They have a breadth of knowledge on SEO that can be beneficial for a lot of different organizations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the social media and marketing coordinator for a food manufacturer. We specialize in Asian appetizers and dumplings.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

We needed help with SEO optimization and web development optimization.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We work with SEO Brand on website content optimization, web development optimization, maintenance, QR optimization, as well as SEO optimization. We usually provide them with what we want to do. For example, we wanted to have a sticky board telling every visitor who visits the site about our current promotions. They help us bring our ideas to life.

When it comes to SEO, I will provide some keywords that I want to focus on. I will let them know what my idea is, and they usually will give me feedback on whether they think it is worth it to put more effort and money to try to make those keywords rank higher in Google searches.

What is the team composition?

We had a couple of changes during our engagement for one of the roles.

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

My team began working with them before I came on board. When I initially spoke to them, I shared my ideas as well as my direction with them. Afterward, I found that my processes and what they are good at were a good match. I decided to continue working with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

I began working with them in March 2019, and the work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

After a year of working with them, I feel they are excellent and work very hard to deliver on all my requests. They're proficient in keyword ranking and website optimization. Our ranking has increased a lot during our time working with them. We receive more visitors through organic searches as well as more inquiries. They've optimized our photo quality as well as the website content description.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

I think their teamwork is good. I’m not in charge of direct contact, but the person I'm in touch with is more focused on SEO, but if I want some changes to the website itself such as adding a page, she will pass it onto another team member. The person in charge of that department will contact me directly to see what I need. They give me feedback and results very quickly. I would say their management is very good and very efficient.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like how quickly they respond to their clients. They're very patient and responsive. They try to solve every issue we encounter.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could put more effort when creating content for the client’s industry or product. Any changes are very minor; overall, it's very good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I think their strongest area is SEO.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our company specializes in providing credit card processing to a wide range of businesses and verticals both retail and online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SEO Brand?

We hired SeoBrand to build out our new site and branding for one of our services.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to rebrand what we already had while differentiating ourselves in the marketplace. We also wanted an easy lead capture form that would post directly into our CRM.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I spoke to various companies and was introduced to SeoBrand through a colleague of mine. They had an extensive background in not only branding and web dev but they specialized in lead generation with a proven track record with many other businesses.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The project entailed branding, web development, and lead gen tool to post into our CRM for our sales team. We wanted a frictionless flow while educating our prospects on what we offer. We also setup various campaigns and SEO to increase visibility and generate leads.

What was the team composition?

There were several team members working on our project. A centralized system helped keep tasks organized and done on time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Our business is now actively collecting leads and ranking organically for our cash discount program product offering.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our site and branding were completely unique in the marketplace and I believe strongly positioned us to stand out among the competition.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The company was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and understood exactly what we were out to accomplish.

Are there any areas for improvement?

My only suggestion would be to offer multiple project/task organizing options because it took some time for me to get familiar with Basecamp.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Designer Eyes is a luxury eyewear retailer and e-commerce player in the United States. We have 13 stores across the United States and are the exclusive dealer for several well-known brands. I’m the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SEO Brand?

Our marketing expenses were continuing to increase, and I needed help managing our investment in those services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with an audit of our entire marketing department, from the head of marketing to the data entry analysts. They helped us change some of our processes to match the demands of e-commerce SEO. We modified our approach to handling data and integrated a variety of their softwares. 

SEO Brand now manages all of our websites, our third-party marketplaces, our marketing spend, our PR, and a few additional tasks. We’re still building and implementing new services. SEO Brand recently launched a third-party marketplace for us in the UK, and we’re working on an Australia iteration now.

What is the team composition?

I work with Michael (CEO, SEO Brand), and my team deals with 3–4 different people there. There are two main points of contact and a few developers that get involved on an as-needed basis.

How did you come to work with SEO Brand?

They were recommended to me by a friend of mine. They earned the contract mainly because of the initial audit. SEO Brand came in for three weeks and gave a substantial analysis of my department.

They showed me upwards of $500,000 worth of savings that I could implement. I was ready to try out those types of strategies, and they won me over that way.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent at least $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them for over a year, probably the last 15 months.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Before SEO Brand, we were spending close to $1,000,000 per year on marketing. I don’t have the exact number, but they’ve helped me save about $600,000 of that. Our business is doing better than before, our conversion rates are higher, and we’ve been able to eliminate positions because of their software.

Our data is also much cleaner, and we’re no longer scrambling to prepare for the holidays. We’re continuing to build new things, like the two third-party marketplaces that I mentioned earlier. It's all about conversion for me, and they're hitting the metrics that we want.

How did SEO Brand perform from a project management standpoint?

My team speaks with their people on a daily basis. They’re very efficient; I’ve only heard positive things. I talk with Michael once a month to review everything. We talk through the numbers and come up with ideas for improvements.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Most software companies and B2B providers will overpromise at the beginning, and I can tell you that SEO Brand doesn’t. Their service is only getting better because they’re efficient and good at what they do. Transparency is also a factor. SEO Brand keeps us updated and lets us know about potential problems. 

Another thing that I love about SEO Brand—and you don’t encounter this very often with technology companies—is that they make a point of coming to our office. They send someone once a month to come to sit in on reviews with my team to get a sense of everything that’s happening. It’s nice to have face-to-face interactions, especially during a development project. It’s clear that they want to understand our business needs.

The last thing I’ll say is that they focus on continuous improvement. Their software is managing everything for us on one platform. We’re dealing with 15 different channels that can all be manipulated, and SEO Brand is always looking for ways to make things better.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Any company can improve by bringing more resources to the table, but I haven’t found that to be a problem with SEO Brand. If I were them, I would look into gathering more resources for design optimization. I know that they do that for a variety of other platforms. Outside of design, though, they’ve helped me with a couple of headaches that I’ve had, especially with Shopify.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know that you won’t have to negotiate for a better quote. They’re straightforward people that will give you fair prices. They’re also going to stick to the timelines that they set out. Most of the time, they complete projects at least a week before they’re supposed to be done.

Also, be ready for a team that loves testing. Some of their tests seem like incremental changes, but they often make a huge difference in the long run. Often, addressing a very simple issue can help you avoid a major problem. Because they’re not always fighting against the clock, they’re able to focus on these things.