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    Irvine, CA
    (949) 214-4024

The B2B & Enterprise Search Marketing Agency

4.8
36 reviews

On average, we increase your organic traffic by 135%, decrease your cost per acquisition by 32%, and increase inbound lead volume by 84% - all in the first six months.

Get a custom proposal to see how we can grow your qualified leads!

 
$5,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
50 - 249
 Founded
2014
Directive
5201 California Ave #150
Irvine, CA 92617
United States
(949) 214-4024
Directive
555 West 5th Street, Floor 35 #306
Los Angeles, CA 90013
United States
(213) 271-1517
Directive
750 Lexington Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10022
United States
(646) 470-0190
Directive
15 Bishopsgate, 6th Floor
London EC2N 3AR
United Kingdom
+44-2076600824

Portfolio

Key clients: 
  • Clutch.co
  • Cisco
  • Pelican Products (manufacturing)
  • Allstate Insurance Company
  • Cherwell
  • SentinelOne (cyber security)
  • Ultimate Ears (Logitech company)
  • Xactly (SaaS)
  • Sutter Health (health care)
  • TimeTrade (SaaS)

Reviews

4.8
36 reviews
Sort by

SEO & SEM Campaigns for e-Commerce Platform

“Responsive and proactive, Directive Consulting functions as a seamless extension to our demand generation team.”

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Mar. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting supports an internal demand generation team to execute SEO/SEM strategies and marketing campaigns for a newly relaunched site.

The Reviewer
 
501-1,000 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Yuval Yatskan
VP of Marketing, Skava
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Thanks to Directive Consulting’s efforts, the number of page views and new users has continued to increase. Conversions look promising across all channels, and the site’s over domain authority has improved. While more metrics would help with marketplace insights, the team produces strong results.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the VP of marketing at Skava. Our cloud-native commerce platform, Skava Commerce, uses microservices-based technology to help retailers and enterprise-sized companies quickly create personalized omnichannel experiences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We wanted resources who could serve as an extension to our demand generation team. They needed to support both SEO and SEM as well as various marketing campaigns and initiatives.

What were your goals for this project?

Our objective was to improve SEO and search engine marketing (SEM) performance. We also sought to increase our prospects, expand our customer reach, and improve conversion rates.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched various vendors and chose Directive Consulting based on their hunger, response, and critical thinking capabilities.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Directive Consulting has helped with the SEO aspects of our newly relaunched site, augmented the reachability of selected assets (e.g., Gartner MQ), and take part in our account-based marketing (ABM) efforts.

What was the team composition?

Directive allocated an account representative and team of experts to support our account.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We’ve seen a clear increase in the number of new users and page views to our newly relaunched/revamped site. Our domain authority has also increased. On the asset-promotion front, we have seen promising conversions across multiple channels.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their workflow is very effective. Responsive and proactive, Directive Consulting functions as a seamless extension to our demand generation team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciate their hunger for getting great results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

While our results have been impressive and continue to improve, I’d like to get even more metrics to compare ourselves with the competition. More detailed benchmarking and comparative data would help us see how we stand in the marketplace overall.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Digital Marketing for Communications Company

“I can say, without hesitation, that they are the best B2B agency I’ve ever worked with.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Less than $10,000
 
Mar. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting manages various digital marketing campaigns, including Google AdWords. The team’s outreach efforts focus on building an online presence through consistent cross-platform brand content.

The Reviewer
 
501-1,000 Employees
 
Anchorage, Alaska
John Palmer
Digital Marketing Specialist, Alaska Communications
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Directive Consulting has generated notable increases in search rankings, web traffic, and conversion rates. With a customer-first attitude, the team communicates efficiently, responsively, and promptly. Having a range of industry expertise, they’ve established themselves as a valuable partner.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the digital marketing specialist at Alaska Communications. We have over 500 employees and work mainly in Alaska. I head a team that is responsible for PPC, SEO, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and the overall consistency of our brands digital content.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

As part of a company-wide initiative, we needed a digitally focused agency to support an online marketing push. We hired Directive Consulting to manage several campaigns and create content.

What were your goals for this project?

Ultimately, we wanted to improve our organic rankings and increase performance on search engines. Another main focus was cleaning up our image and portraying a consistent brand across all of our web presences.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A few of our team members met Directive Consulting at a conference. They hit it off immediately, and we decided to partner with them.

Describe the project in detail.

In an extensive onboarding phase, we gave them access to a majority of our internal applications like Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Moz, to name a few. They started implementing strategies focused on increasing visibility and establishing our brand’s digital identity. They continue to maintain these efforts, providing weekly updates, quarterly reviews, and goal-setting advice. We speak with them almost daily.

What was the team composition?

We meet weekly with our account manager, Jesse (Director of Accounts, Directive Consulting). I also have access to their CEO and COO when necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any statistics or metrics that speak to the quality of their work and impact of the engagement?

We’ve been working with Directive Consulting for just over six months now. In that time, we’ve improved our organic rankings/traffic, referral domains/traffic, and conversion rates. Since last month, our conversion rate has increased by over 50%, so we’re quickly growing.

How did the Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

I feel like I'm their only client. The team’s receptive service, excellent communication, and actionable approach are incredibly effective. If I email our account manager, I am confident that I’ll receive a prompt response. In addition to daily interactions, we track the project using Trello. Across all communication channels, they’re consistently responsive.

What impresses you about the Directive Consulting?

Directive Consulting looks at each task proactively rather than reactively. They're always one step ahead of the game. They stay up to date on industry trends, which helps us stay competitive. I can say, without hesitation, that they are the best B2B agency I’ve ever worked with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

At times, the number of action items we have can be slightly overwhelming. Directive Consulting does a great job of explaining all the details, but sometimes we feel overloaded with information.

5.0
Overall Score It's a blast working with them, and I'm excited for what's to come in the future.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    If needed, they'll willingly meet outside of scheduled times.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    For an affordable price, they offer valuable recommendations and insights.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    I've never been dissatisfied with the end result of a project.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They are the best agency I've worked with to date.

SEO Performance Enhancement for Faith-Based Nonprofit

“They make data-based suggestions that have clear benefits.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Jan. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting takes the lead in SEO and conversion optimization, including keyword strategy and internal links.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Santa Ana, California
Zachary Keahey
Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Open Doors USA
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Keyword ranking and web traffic have grown significantly thanks to Directive Consulting’s data-driven, result-oriented approach. They are highly efficient, communicative, and accommodating to schedule changes.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the senior digital marketing manager at a nonprofit organization. We seek to increase awareness and support for persecuted Christians worldwide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We hired Directive Consulting to increase our organic online presence and boost brand awareness.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

A former team member of ours went to school with the CEO of Directive Consulting. From there, we developed a business relationship.

Describe the project in detail.

Directive Consulting has improved our site by targeting keywords and cultivating internal linking opportunities. They’ve also identified places where our conversion funnels could be improved. They back all proposed changes with actionable data.

What was the team composition?

The Directive Consulting team consists of Blake (Account Manager, Directive Consulting) and an SEO specialist. They have the support of other resources.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any statistics or metrics that speak to the quality of their work and impact of the engagement?

This past month, our traffic has grown by 18%. We now rank first for one of our bottom-of-the-funnel keywords.

How did the Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

They report to us on a weekly basis. Blake is extremely thorough and makes sure everyone is on the same page. Working with him makes SEO seem more manageable than I would've previously expected.

What impresses you about the Directive Consulting?

Directive Consulting is all about data. Too often, agencies make suggestions based on a whim or a feeling. Not Directive—they make data-based suggestions that have clear benefits. If one tactic doesn't work, they analyze why and develop a further plan of action. We can tell they are committed to making our site the best version that it can be.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not at this moment.

5.0
Overall Score I’m looking forward to continued work with Directive Consulting.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They are highly responsive. They adapt to our schedule.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It’s quite fair. The work matches the price.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They are superb.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We regard them highly and would recommend them to everyone.

Paid Acquisition Campaigns for Data Warehouse

"They fully understand that in the services industry the people and service delivery are the product."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Less than $10,000
 
Feb. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting provides a 360-marketing service including creating creative strategies; reporting metrics using Google AdWords; developing branding guidelines; and curating paid-acquisition campaigns.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Director, Data Warehouse
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Directive Consulting's efforts increase marketing-qualified leads (MQL) and provide insights into cost-per-acquisition (CPA). Their team is professional and maintains a thorough understanding of the service industry to deliver top-notch solutions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of demand generation at a company that provides the world’s only smart data warehouse for business intelligence (BI). I am responsible for building the sales pipeline through organic and paid acquisition programs. Built for the cloud, Panoply utilizes machine learning and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) to automate highly diverse data integration, query optimization, and elastic data management. We make it fast and simple to gain actionable insights without the need for IT engineers. The company, based in San Francisco and Tel Aviv, is privately held and funded by investors such as Intel Capital, 500 Startups, Blumberg Capital, and C5 Capital.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We want to build and scale our paid acquisition efforts beyond branded search.

What were your goals for this project?

Our vendor needs to deliver 15+ first touch MQLs per month and grow the business. We need to keep up with our organic and earned media channels growth.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was introduced to them by our VP of Marketing. We compared them to two other agencies, and they presented the best strategy and deliverability with ROI as a focused key-performance indicator (KPI).

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Directive Consulting curates our creative and media-buying strategies. As part of this, they are tracking and reporting our marketing metrics using Google AdWords, Remarketing, Perfect Audience, LinkedIn, and Capterra. Their program manager provides branding guidelines, approvals, and roadmaps for other programs. Their team manages the development and delivery of paid acquisition campaigns.

What was the team composition?

The team consists of the account manager (our main point of contact), a marketing specialist, analyst, designer, and a salesperson.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Their marketing efforts increased MQLs and helped us thoroughly understand  CPA per channel thus far. I am very happy with Directive Consulting, and they are doing a great job.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They are polished and professional. We use Google Hangouts, phone, email, and Zoom. Our account manager listens closely to feedback and delivers next-level improvements.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Our account manager is excellent. They fully understand that in the services industry the people and service delivery are the product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

A co-location would be great for faster collaboration and planning, but this is minor.

5.0
Overall Score A great partner.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They are on time and available when they say they'll be.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I'm happy with their pricing.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Nothing is perfect, but our account manager is 99.99% on point. When it's not, he fixes it immediately.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Their people are top notch.

Local SEO Campaign for Insurance Agency

"Each team member seems highly knowledgeable."

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4.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
May 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting manages a broad marketing initiative designed to grow local interest in branch offices. Tasks include SEO, on-page optimization, online review strategies, and conversion boosting.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Digital Marketing Manager, Insurance Firm
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Through Direct Consulting’s new tactics and testing methods, key metrics increased. The team’s attention to detail, responsive communication, and adaptive scheduling continue to facilitate progress and add value.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the SEO manager at an insurance/financial provider. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We needed local SEO for brick-and-mortar locations, including on-page optimization for local web pages, online review and backlink strategies, conversion optimization, and optimization of third-party directories such as Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase the online discoverability of our locations, as well as improve overall traffic and conversions. Also, we were looking to identify and test new SEO tactics and assess our ability to scale across locations.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We’d previously engaged Directive Consulting on a small content-focused project, which we expanded into a broader, local SEO project.

What was the team composition?

A project manager led the team, and other subject-matter experts were added as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any statistics or metrics that speak to the quality of their work and impact of the engagement?

Our key metrics increased. More importantly, we implemented a lot of new tactics and test scenarios, which will boost our company’s future prospects.

How did the Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

I have no complaints; they were attentive and responsive.

What impresses you about the Directive Consulting?

Each team member seems highly knowledgeable.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could be more data-intensive in some areas by reading between the lines as far as measuring and analyzing performance metrics and identifying potential measurements. Key metrics are important, but many factors feed into those key metrics. Some are less obvious than others, so it’s important to understand as much of the context as possible.

4.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

SEO/PPC for Sales Performance Management Software

"They know about every trend and algorithm and they have new ways to improve lead generation every week."

See More

5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Aug. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting provides SEO and PPC support for a business software provider. They create content and make structural suggestions to increase conversions and drive leads.

 

The Reviewer
 
201-500 Employees
 
Denver, Colorado
Laura Hamrick
Web Optimization Manager, Xactly Corporation
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Results are all positive and include 178% growth in organic traffic, a 93% increase in organic lead generation, and 44% improvement to PPC lead generation. Directive is communicative, innovative, and quick to solve issues before they become problems.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Xactly provides software that simplifies and enhances sales planning, incentives, and employee performance. I am the web optimization manager and run tests for our website for user experience and to optimize leads coming through the site.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

They helped us with our SEO and PPC campaigns.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase lead generation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We discovered them at a marketing conference.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They drive leads for our company for both organic and paid campaigns. They create compelling content to increase conversions and recommend changes to site structure that have a positive impact on our bottom line. They know how to deliver quality leads via paid channels.

What was the team composition?

We have a dedicated project manager who speaks with us weekly and is available anytime we need him. He has a team of specialists that support our team and we always know where we stand.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We've seen incredible results, including 178% growth in organic traffic, 93% increase in organic lead generation, and 44% improvement to PPC lead generation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication is great. They're always available to provide in-depth answers and their turnaround is exceptionally fast. Our project manager adopted our company's task management platform to make tasks and scheduling easier for our team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I am constantly surprised by the additional resources and recommendations they provide. I've used other SEO/PPC agencies that use a generic template for metrics. Directive is consistent and includes new recommendations for research. They know about every trend and algorithm and they have new ways to improve lead generation every week.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. We are extremely happy with the team and their service. If we ever see weekly results go down, their specialists identify the cause and find a solution immediately.

5.0
Overall Score They are a great team. Our results speak for themselves.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Our project manager is always available.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They are worth every penny.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Directive goes above and beyond and constantly provides new recommendations.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    The results exceed any of our goals. I would recommend Directive to anyone.

Organic Traffic Growth for Laser Machinery Company

“They are knowledgeable in their field and offer a wealth of strategies to get the best results for our company.”

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
4.5
The Project
 
Confidential
 
Jan. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

As part of an overall strategy to increase online presence, traffic, and sales, Directive Consulting rebuilt a website to resolve backend issues, optimize the link structure, and improve the UX. 

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Santa Clarita, California
Artin Teymourian
Senior Scientist, Hai Tech Lasers, Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Directive's efforts have contributed to a steady increase in sales and traffic over the past year. Professional, responsive, and communicative, the team consistently delivers high quality work despite personnel shifts and clear, transparent reporting on tasks and updates during weekly meetings.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a senior scientist at Hai Tech Lasers responsible for a large number of tasks, including marketing, sales, and advertising. Our company performs laser marking, cutting, and engraving services, as well as custom laser marking and engraving machine assembly.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We’re a small business that needed outside services to help us grown online. We hired Directive Consulting to manage our online presence and increase website traffic.

What were your goals for this project?

Our ultimate goal was to increase sales at a reasonable price. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Directive Consulting was a referral from a friend of mine, who also happened to be one of their current clients. A brief conversation confirmed that I would be happy to work with them. Previous companies had simply not offered the professionalism, knowledge, and communication that Directive has. 

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope included a website rebuild to fix backend issues that were hampering our rankings, to optimize the link structure, and to make the platform more user-friendly. We also wanted to emphasize blog content and additional link-building strategies. The work is ongoing.

What was the team composition?

We generally speak with one contact at a time from Directive Consulting, but a few more team members work alongside us. The quality has remained consistently high despite changes in the team throughout the course of the engagement. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Over the past year, sales and website traffic have clearly increased, especially through the blogs, and we can attribute a large part of that to Directive Consulting's efforts.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between our teams has been effective; any lag time or delays have been on our end. Weekly meetings with Directive Consulting allow us to review tasks completed that week and discuss monthly, quarterly, and yearly updates. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I am most impressed by their professionalism, responsiveness, and quick communication. They are knowledgeable in their field and offer a wealth of strategies to get the best results for our company.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They are doing a very good job and I am happy with the results.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Their scheduling has been very accommodating.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Their price was a bit higher than I had hoped to spend, but they deliver good work.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.5 NPS
    Willing to refer

SEO Overhaul for Security Software Firm

“The experience was one that you always hope to have with a vendor.”

See More

5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Jan. 2018 - Feb. 2018
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting did SEO for a new website. They worked through a page-by-page analysis and utilized keywords to increase search result rankings. They also reviewed and evaluated their execution.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Michael Huber
Director, Digital Marketing & Programs, HyTrust, Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Keyword rankings, organic traffic, and website engagement increased. Directive Consulting provided prompt feedback and was proactive in their communication. Their independent work style and thorough meeting preparation make for smooth and professional project management.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the digital marketing director of HyTrust. We specialize in security, compliance, and control software.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Directive Consulting?

We needed to get the SEO portion of a new website in shape and aligned with our current messaging and target audience.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to do page-by-page SEO to increase our ranking and support our PPC efforts.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I worked with them when I was at a previous company, but I also researched other firms to be thorough.

Describe the project in detail.

We had an initial meeting to understand the goals, strategy, budget and timeline of the project. Directive then researched our current SEO situation, which included the website itself, and our search results rankings. We then collaborated on a plan, executed it, and reviewed the execution.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a team of people from Directive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any statistics or metrics that speak to the quality of their work and impact of the engagement?

Our keyword rankings are up across the board. Organic traffic is also building at a nice pace and website engagement is much higher than it was.

How did the Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

Their level of feedback and pro-active communication throughout the engagement was great. SEO is a game where if you aren’t on top of the latest information, you become irrelevant quickly. Directive gave me the confidence to let them work independently and do what they thought was best. They came to meetings prepared and with clear goals, which made them quick, effective, and low-stress.

What impresses you about the Directive Consulting?

I loved their attention to detail and thoroughness. They never forgot anything on their part, and that forced me to be more on the ball getting my end of the work done. It was refreshing to be managed by their hard work, instead of me having to do the managing. It was also clear that Direct was not only thorough in their knowledge, but passionate as well.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything. I don’t want to seem like I’m gushing, but the experience was one that you always hope to have with a vendor. In the end, you feel like you got what you paid for.

5.0
Overall Score It was a great experience.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They came to meetings prepared, and were adaptable when I needed to move things around.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I felt like I got more than what I paid for. There is always a bit of scope-creep, but they didn't nickel and dime us.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    It was excellent.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have and will continue to refer them.

SEO & PPC Management for IT Value Added Reseller

"[T]heir passion for SEO/SEM is evident in all communications."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
June 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive Consulting is an ongoing partner that drives the SEO and PPC strategy forward. Their work involves content creation, AdWords account management, strategy testing, link acquisition, and more.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Boston Metro Area
Marketing Director, Healthcare IT Reseller
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Directive Consulting is an ongoing partner that drives the SEO and PPC strategy forward. Their work involves content creation, AdWords account management, strategy testing, link acquisition, and more.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner and the marketing manager for a 40+ year-old IT hardware value-added reseller. We primarily work with New England-based, large mid-size and enterprise organizations, supporting the IT hardware needs of their in-house IT teams. We also have specialized expertise in the sales, service, installation, integration, and refurbishment of mobile computer carts and wall mounted workstations typically found in the healthcare vertical nationwide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with Directive Consulting?

At a high level, we wanted to increase leads and sales through digital channels. In order to do so, our team was looking to expand their online reach through search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC). Previously, our company wasn’t proactively creating unique content to drive organic traffic nor was utilizing highly targeted PPC campaigns and landing pages to drive leads. Directive Consulting provided an ongoing solution to these needs with consistent SEO and PPC services, including rapid testing of new strategies and campaigns as well.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were looking for support in managing our SEO and PPC account. On the paid side, they actively manage our AdWords account and create custom landing pages and display ads. They handle everything from in-platform optimization to the testing of new ads and budget allocation. For SEO, they help us acquire new links and create unique content for our site in order to drive new users and engagement. They also do technical SEO checkups.

Our relationship is a collaborative effort in which they propose new strategies to us and we bounce back ideas to help us align with business goals. Directive executes on all of the deliverables and creative assets and we provide them feedback and approval for all campaigns.

How did you come to work with Directive Consulting?

They were recommended to our CEO by an acquaintance.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent approximately $25,000 to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed the contract in June 2017 and the engagement started immediately thereafter.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When comparing six months before and six months after the start of the relationship, they increased the average monthly lead volume by over 600% and decrease cost per lead by over 80% with their PPC efforts. For organic traffic, we were able to see a 46% increase. At the same time, we've been continuously collaborating on different strategies to improve lead quality.

How did Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

Directive has weekly meetings with us where they share what tasks were executed that week, how tests performed, and action items for the following week. They work in weekly sprints and analyze key performance indicators every month. My main point of contact manages a team of SEO and PPC specialists that help with the execution and strategy. Both teams have been good at communicating, collaborating, and being transparent.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team at Directive knows their stuff. They work collaboratively with us and we have a healthy exchange of ideas. I actually like challenging them to exceed our expectations and we share our thoughts with each other every week. Collaboration is the key to achieve synergy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They love what they do—their passion for SEO/SEM is evident in all communications. However, I think that they tend to forget at times that clients may not be as well versed in these subjects. I often have to ask them to slow down during our weekly calls.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Meet them and really get to know them. Also, listen and have a dialogue with them. They are very impressive and knowledgeable.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They’ve always been available to me, even with the three hour time difference.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They are expensive but they’ve been delivering everything we ask of them.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

SEM Campaign Management for Insurance Provider

"[W]e've seen a 96% increase in organic results from this time last year."

See More

5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Aug. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Directive provides 360-degree SEO, SEM, and PPC services, handling AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook Ads campaigns. Currently, they’re building out capacity for Spanish-language PPC campaigns as well.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Irvine, California
Marketing Director, Regional Insurance Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

There have been substantial increases on the paid search side, and a decrease in the cost for acquisition of new users. The team has been excellent to work with and is consistent, not to mention always available for any questions. They’ve experts in their field, and it’s evident throughout the process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I manage business development and marketing for a regional auto insurance company. We focus on direct-to-consumer sales for the non-standard market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Directive Consulting.

We wanted to increase the performance of our marketing campaigns. We previously worked with other marketing agencies, and felt like they underperformed. We wanted to see what a real marketing company, real expertise, and real engagement looked like.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we hired them for PPC, Google AdWords, and Facebook advertising. From our initial meeting, they introduced us to an entire world of SEO that they could help us with to enhance not only our overall web presence, but all the details of our campaigns too.

On the paid search side, they manage our Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook advertising campaigns. They run about 12 different campaigns in total for us right now; we’re looking to double that amount by translating to Spanish and running separate Spanish campaigns. It’s a lot of PPC - and they’re also developing an overall SEO and content strategy.

When we brought them on we had several existing campaigns. They went through everything and refactored some of them, but mostly built new from the ground up. They looked at the performance of our previous campaigns, decided to pause them, start over, and create their own.

What is the team dynamic?

We have a dedicated account manager, and also work with their director of content, several content specialists, and one developer who works more behind the scenes. We’ve got a team of about 3–4, but I usually only interact with our account manager.

How did you come to work with Directive Consulting?

We were referred to them by a firm that we hired for web design work. They heard we were looking for a marketing agency and recommended Directive; it turned out to be a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $60,000 with them, including their retainer fees and the campaigns. About 40% of what we pay them goes to their retainer and the remainder is the ad spend budget. The management fee however, is below $50,000 at this point.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we didn't have much of an SEO strategy before, they focused on that. As a result, we've seen a 96% increase in organic results from this time last year. We’ve also seen huge improvement on the paid search side. New-user acquisition costs have fallen by 20% over the results with the previous agency we were working with.

How did Directive Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been really good to work with and are consistent. Our account manager is always available for questions; I’ve never had an issue getting ahold of him or anyone else there. They’re good at outlining our team’s responsibility versus their team’s responsibility. I haven’t had any issues overall; they’ve been excellent.

We use Google Docs to collaborate, and have a dedicated folder for the project. We don't have any specific project management software, which as a project manager myself, I appreciate. We do really well just with Google Docs allowing the information to be shared between teams.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were blown away by how thorough and detailed the onboarding packet they provided was. They performed a full audit of our web presence and paid search campaigns, and took a look at everything we were doing online in the first 30 days. They provided extremely detailed, actionable strategies to implement short-term and long-term strategy changes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Occasionally, when their experts are talking to non-technical staff of ours, they launch into technical explanations without checking that people are following them. In a new working relationship, it would be good to have a little more hand-holding to make sure the client is comfortable with the terms and strategies that they are going to use.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Companies - especially smaller companies like ours - should be prepared to put the money in to really get the results you’re looking for. You can’t go in with a small budget and expect miracles; you have to remain attentive and take in the advice they’re giving you.

5.0
Overall Score We definitely will be keeping them and continuing to do business with them long-term.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Everyone is always available, including the owner. We’ve never had to wait on them.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The relationship is still new, but from what we see so far, we expect to keep doing business with them.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The results we’ve seen on all of our campaigns has been positive thus far.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer