Firestarter SEO

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a travel company. We have several locations around the country and we’re very unique in the industry.

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We needed a team that would handle our SEO. Personally, I know a lot about the SEO industry and most of the agencies are like snake oil salesmen. I’ve been through with teams that claim that they could help my business but they can’t make it happen. Since this is a crucial part of my business and we’ve spent fortunes on it over the years, we needed a team that wouldn’t burn us. 

Google made an update to its system, called Penguin at the time, and we were with another agency at that time. We got barred from Google — we went from being on the first page to the 12th page. Our search went down 90% in a week. The agency that we had at that time created lousy links for us that decimated our business. I needed to look for a new company to help me and take over from that provider and never endanger our site.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firestarter SEO handles our SEO works. The team is in charge of publishing articles and getting us out on the right sites. He finds legitimate sites that are relevant to our company. They manage our keywords, meta tags, descriptions, alt tags. They work to understand what Google doesn’t want and make sure that it helps us.

What is the team composition?

I only work with Skyler (Founder). We have our own social media team that also works with Firestarter SEO.

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

We went through a nine-month selection process. I reviewed 25–30 different agencies and I eliminated most of the teams that promised us a quick fix, those who said that they could solve our problems in just 2–3 months. I eventually found Skyler and went with him because he stood out and was honest. He was a local and he didn’t promise me anything grand, unlike other agencies. 

How much have you invested with them?

The project costs us $30,000–$40,000 a year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first engaged with them in July 2013 and we’re still working with them.

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

Actually, Google revoked the penalty and we went from page 12 to page three, however, we were still nonexistent since no one really goes to page three. Thanks to them, we appear on the first page when searched on Google, we dominate our space. However, it’s a huge effort not just from Skyler, but from us since we also write blogs that have nothing to do with keywords and SEO.

However, Skyler and the team helped us get back to the first page. The entire process took them three years but it’s fine with us as long as they never do anything to harm our website.

Firestarter SEO gets the job done — They get us the articles and links that we need. They provide us with effective marketing and SEO solutions. Our traffic has improved since Firestarter SEO started working with us.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

Skyler is honest and transparent with us. In terms of project management, they’re flawless. Whenever Firestarter SEO can’t complete a task on time, he immediately lets us know which is awesome. He’s available all the time; I’ve even talked to him at 9:30 pm. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Firestarter SEO stands us for us because they’re honest and transparent. He is someone I am completely happy to recommend. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There is no criticism for them — and believe me, I would tell you if there was something to improve. As far as delivering the tasks, I 100% believe in them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your due diligence and get to know them. Interview several people, but I promise you’ll pick Skyler if you’re looking at the same metrics I did.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Ascend Education sells online IT training courseware to high school, college and university instructors. I am the director of marketing at Ascend Education.

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

We hired Firestarter SEO to help us increase our company's online presence. Ascend had the goal of getting some of their products on the first page of Google keyword searches.

How did you select Firestarter SEO and what were the deciding factors?

We had an existing relationship with the Firestarter team because they helped us with smaller projects in the past. When we were seeking help on our big SEO campaign, we reached out to Firestarter and a number of other marketing company's that we had relationships with, and Firestarter was the best value, by a long ways.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and campaigns.

We started with research, mostly keyword research. Firestarter began with a full audit of our website, and then proceeded to fix the issues that were found on the website. Firestarter is doing a great job at building links for the Ascend Education website, and helping raise the search engine scores on our various pages.

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

We have been in contact with two members of the Firestarter team, and they are working with a team of writers and designers to help us as well.

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

Since implementing the tactics proposed by Firestarter, Ascend education appears in the top 10 pages of nearly 20 different key search terms. Before the help of Firestarter, Ascend appeared in the top 10 of only 3 search terms.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

They've been great at managing and following up with us on a weekly basis. They have been timely and professional in the delivery of tactics.

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

Firestarter has backed up every promise they have made so far.

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

Nothing that I can think of.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of All About Braces. We’re an orthodontic practice with eight different locations throughout Metropolitan Denver and across three different brands and websites.

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We brought them on for SEO services.

What was the scope of their involvement?

In addition to SEO, they also handle our PPC and Google keywords.

What is the team composition?

I work primarily with Jeff (Business Development Specialist), my project manager. Once a year, I work with the whole team to revise our path.

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

I met them through a business networking group. They had joined my chapter, and I met Jeff through that. I went to a free seminar hosted by Firestarter SEO. I was impressed by how bright their team members were.

How much have you invested with them?

We invest about $35,000 a year.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in March 2019.

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

In 2018, I had around 300 patients I received through the web. This year and even with the pandemic, I will have over 500 or 600 patients who found me through the web.  

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication has been great. I meet with Jeff every single week. He’s even become a personal friend because his business did right by me. I know I can speak to Jeff anytime I want.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I respect how they deal with their business and their responsiveness. Also, it’s great that they’re local. Their level of responsiveness and communication are excellent.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’d be nice to have quarterly in-person meetings once we have that opportunity or perhaps remote meetings in the age of COVID-19.

Additionally, I ask them to give me homework but they don’t. If I’m too passive then we’re not meeting our objectives well enough together. They should be telling me to write a blog for this month or get one backlink from another company, or something. They’re hesitant when I beg them to give me homework. They shouldn’t be, but they are.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be sure to aggressively ask Firestarter SEO what you should be doing every month to improve your SEO. If you expect them to do everything, you’re shortchanging yourself.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Rock Tools Attachments. We manufacture various rock-related equipment, including rock grinding tools, screening tools, and circular saws that can cut concrete, plastic, steel, and more.

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

A previous engagement with an IT company took our site offline, decreased its SEO rankings, and rendered it unsearchable. As a result, we needed resources who could get our site online and repair our SEO issues.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We approached them twice to help us with our website: once in 2017 and again in 2018. Both times, we worked with vendors who crashed our site and reached out to Firestarter SEO to rectify the situation. After getting our site live the second time, they implemented SEO tactics to increase our search rankings. This involved reworking the site to be searchable, writing blogs, and providing links. They currently provide ongoing development support for the site and manage our SEO.

What is the team composition?

We primarily work with their owner, web developer, and project manager. From time to time, we also worked with their local SEO specialist.

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

It was important for us to find a local vendor so that we could have face-to-face meetings to go over the site. We considered five candidates, and Firestarter SEO came out on top.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $12,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work began in March 2017 and is ongoing. The first site renovation lasted from March–June 2017, and the second site launch and SEO work started in March 2018.

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

We’ve seen a dramatic change in prospective leads since their involvement. When our site was offline, it was difficult for people to find us through searches, so we would only get two inquiries per month. Once Firestarter SEO fixed our site, inquiries jumped to 50 per month.

They launched the site in a remarkably short timeframe, and we consider the project money well spent. As a business owner, it’s an enormous relief knowing that competent professionals are managing my site and SEO. I can’t speak highly enough of them.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

They work highly effectively and consistently meet deadlines. Other service providers quoted the site reworking as nine weeks, but they’ve managed to complete it in two. In terms of communication, we coordinate via phone, email, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They communicate every step of the way and do things right the first time. We’ve never had a problem with them constantly redoing their work to repair it. All in all, they’re timely, efficient, and professional.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind. They’re running their business right and really stick to their word.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Whenever possible, take the time to meet them in person and set your expectations. Once you’ve put together an agreed timeline and budget, they’re sure to meet or exceed your goals.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Colorado Sprinkler Service. We're a full-service sprinkler repair and installation company.

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We were looking for a company to help us with branding and marketing message.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provide SEO services and manage our SEM campaigns, so they're in charge of our online image. We meet regularly to discuss digital marketing strategies. They've also helped us redesign our website.

What is the team composition?

I have a main point of contact, but I've also worked with their owner and a content writer.

How did you come to work with them?

I was working with a national company, but I wanted to find someone local that I could meet with face-to-face. I found Firestarter through Google search and interviewed them. They had the expertise we needed, so I chose them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

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

The results exceeded our expectations. Last month, we saw 564 phone calls generated through our marketing campaigns (we'd never reached numbers like that before). Our team is impressed.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

I usually talk to them once a week. They take pride in what they do. Their clients are their top priority, and they show it every day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They stick to their plan no matter what. We didn't see the results immediately, but they assured me that their plan would work, and it did. They were very professional and delivered on promises.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They've done everything they possibly could.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Reach out to them and trust their plan. They know what their doing and have their clients' best interests in mind.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a window replacement company. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter?

I wanted to get more leads through our internet presence. Firestarter has broadened our brand name and recognition through Google and other search engines. Over the past 3 years, I’ve gotten more leads online than ever before.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did SEO, and we are just starting with PPC. Firestarter also helped me with my webpage design and developed some prefab-type emails. I send those emails as a thank you to customers, and they can click on the links and go to different review pages.

How did you come to work with Firestarter?

We had an SEO contractor before who charged us several thousand dollars a month, but he wasn’t doing anything for us. I knew Skyler [Owner and SEO Specialist, Firestarter] from my church and thought I’d try working with him. He more than performed.

How much have you invested with Firestarter?

I pay $2,000 per month for SEO and PPC. Before PPC, I just paid $1,000 per month. The management fee for PPC is $300, and $700 goes to the PPC service with Google.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Firestarter more than 3 years ago, and the work is ongoing. 

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

Everything SEO-related that we’ve been paying for over the past 3 years has been paid back in spades. We’re more than happy with the results as far as internet exposure. I haven’t seen much difference with PPC yet as far as leads are concerned, but I’m optimistic. I can only imagine the PPC will soon yield good results because of what Firestarter’s done for me already. Last year, we did over $3,000,000 in business, averaging $300,000 per month.

What did you find most impressive about Firestarter?

I’m always happy with Firestarter’s performance and the results that we’re getting from their services. I think Skyler should keep doing what he’s doing.

Are there any areas Firestarter could improve?

I don’t have any specifics. Skyler’s probably a little understaffed. If he hired more people, he could do more business. Also, he used to do blogging on our site, and I’d like to see more of that for exposure. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I‘m the owner and main photographer at a Denver-based photography studio. We have several ideal clients. We work with people in business who need headshots for LinkedIn and with others to increase their online marketing through a great profile image. We also work with online daters, giving them some great shots for their social media and online dating websites. We also photograph families, high-school seniors, and weddings. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We hope to increase our business by about 20%. We’ve been working with them for about 5 or 6 months now. We’re not into our busy season yet, so it’s a little hard to tell what’s going to happen. The majority of our clients don’t hit until the end of May, and we go through the end of September or into October.  

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firestarter SEO works on our organic SEO, and we have also been using their web design services. I just talked to the person this morning who helped to improve our high-school seniors page. They put a new gallery up there, which will help a lot. They also changed the wording to say “gallery,” instead of “senior samples,” which makes a lot more sense. They put up a video to explain the process. The layout of the gallery itself is a lot more contemporary than we had before. They put up content that has an “on-trend” look and feel targeting high school seniors.

They redesigned and are tweaking the existing site. They added some changes right away that helped a lot, such as a red banner across the top with our phone number; that’s also how they track the calls that are coming in from their efforts. They’re really good at keeping track of their success and whether what they’re doing is working. I see the owner, Skyler, every week at my referral group. He always keeps me up to date on the metrics.

One great thing about Firestarter SEO is that they’re people you completely trust. We had a difficult situation coming out of our other SEO contract and into our new engagement with Firestarter SEO. The person we worked with before was threatening to take all of his codes out, all the SEO work he did, if we didn’t renew our contract.  

Skyler [Owner of Firestarter SEO] was really a rock during that whole emotional situation. He was very mature and supportive, which helped me trust him even more.

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

I found them through a networking group of which I am a member. After my initial contact, Skyler came and did a group presentation.

How much have you invested with Firestarter SEO?

I spend $1,000–$2,000 per month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in December of 2016, and the relationship is ongoing. They don’t have contracts, so we work month-to-month, which I really like. 

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?

Our goal is to see 20% growth, but we’re not in our busy season yet. Right now, we’re staying stable with headshots and corporate headshots, which are onsite, back to back arrangements. They’re always doing something, and I can always call them if I notice calls are slower. They will respond immediately and take a look at what they can do to help. That’s something I haven’t experienced before.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

They just added Jared, and he’s been a great asset. He’s my go-to guy now, and we’re setting up regular phone calls to see what needs to be changed or tweaked.

What did you find most impressive about Firestarter SEO?

They’re very relatable; they’re not so huge that they can’t always talk to you, and they’re very responsive. They’re not afraid to talk over the phone or sit down with you. I could never get my other SEO guy to pick up the phone. He only emailed me, and that was really frustrating. Sometimes, you just need to talk things out or brainstorm. Firestarter SEO is willing to do brainstorming sessions with me about where I’m headed and how we get there. We brainstormed the gallery changeover, for example. They help me get ideas going, they implement, and they always listen. They’re very ethical as well, which is something we didn’t see before. It’s good to know someone has your back and knows what they’re doing.

Are there any areas Firestarter SEO could improve?

I honestly think they’re doing everything well.

Do you have any suggestions for future clients to be successful with them?

Try to take some notes as to what’s been working well and what hasn’t and where they want to fill the holes. For us, it was corporate headshots on-site, back to back because they’re not weather-dependent. So, it was important to know that was a big hole that needed to be nurtured in the winter. We’ve noticed quite a few more calls for that service. What they’ve done has really helped us. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner and personal injury attorney

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

SEO on monthly basis

What were your goals for this project?

Increase traffic to site and leads

How did you select Firestarter SEO?

BNI

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Link Building, SEO generally, blog posts

What was the team composition?

3-5 staff members

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

We have seen an increase in clients contacting us via google

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Good communication and keeping us in the loop

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their follow-through, good communication, and results are also good

Are there any areas for improvement?

I would obviously like to see more and more calls coming in, I am hopeful that we can double that volume this year

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a personal injury attorney and a sole practitioner.

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

Advertising in the industry is ubiquitous and expensive. I need to increase or create an online presence to avoid television, billboard, and other traditional advertisements.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to improve my search rankings and be more easily found by potential clients.

How did you select this vendor?

We chose them after interviews and presentations with several firms in the industry.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They ran SEO campaigns and built links as part of their online marketing efforts.

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

It has increased our original calls and helped us find clients for viable cases.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We meet to develop and review strategies regularly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They gave us access to their work and they made us feel important.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.