Firestarter SEO

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of Mountain Insurance, a broker and retail insurance agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We needed someone to help us enhance traffic to our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firestarter SEO is our primary web development and SEO partner. They first consulted us on the best SEO practices, and have since been managing our keyword research and implementation efforts.

Apart from that, they also provide us with web development and maintenance, as well as link building through WordPress.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work what Skyler (Owner).

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

We came across them through a referral.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve probably spent well over $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership started in January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Firestarter SEO has been helpful in continuing our growth and maximizing our ROI through their work on SEO.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re always communicative, highly attentive, and prompt in their follow-up — we don’t have to wait for them to call, as they’re consistently responsive to our needs.

We mostly interact through email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with their willingness to work and collaborative approach to the project. They use their expertise to implement what we want on the website, which I find helpful because we’re not really tech experts.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they need to improve on because we’re quite happy with our partnership.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would just highly recommend working with Firestarter for your web development and SEO needs, because they have the experience and expertise to help you, no matter what industry you’re in.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Our organization is called Elevate Services Group. We provide outsourced IT services for small and medium-sized businesses, and I’m a co-owner and the executive VP for sales and marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We needed to completely refresh our digital marketing and SEO efforts, as well as our web presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked together on overhauling our website, defining its content, and understanding the messages we want to convey and how we want them to be sent. After that, they took that information and implement it into our website and marketing plans. Furthermore, they help us manage our SEO and PPC campaigns, which involve doing keyword research, blog writing, and other content development efforts. They also continue to help us with the upkeep of our website.

What is the team composition?

We work with 3–4 people from their team, including Skyler (Owner) and Jeff (Business Development Specialist).

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

We searched around and talked to about six different organizations before we ended up choosing Firestarter SEO. Their location was within our neighborhood, which was one of the main criteria we were looking for. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $50,000–$75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2020, and our engagement is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since working with them, we’ve seen a 30% increase in terms of traffic. More importantly, we've also noticed significant growth in revenue by about 45%, which is the most important metric for us. Overall, their efforts have helped us get the right people interested in our company.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve performed very well in this regard — their team communicates very well and helps us understand things that are out of our expertise. We mostly use Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and email for communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s their simplicity in the way they approach things; they specifically focus on what we’re asking for and have delivered on that. To put it simply, they’ve been just really easy and simple to work with. 

Are there any areas they could improve on?

I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I definitely recommend working with them, but my main advice is to spend time with 
them upfront when they ask for it. What made our project successful was the fact that we gave them the time upfront when we were explaining our objectives. This got them involved early and provided a lot of clarity for both sides.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My company provides services in the energy industry. I am the CEO and owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Firestarter to help use elevate our online presence in areas key for our planned growth.

SOLUTION

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

We did a google search based largely on customer reviews and narrowed down the companies to three. Firestarter was by far more knowledgable, did not push expensive and unnecessary services and was very responsive and personable. Appreciated their willingness to work within our budget.

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

We had a kickoff meeting with Firestarter which resulted in a plan of attack to place us on the first page for several searched words. We also wanted to help companies find us better online as we have several locations. We developed a list of words we wanted to focus on. From there, they researched the most searched words within that group.

Every few months we visit to check in on progress and change anything as needed. During this process it was also determined we should develop a new website which would serve to refresh our image and also help our SEO presence. Firestarter designed our website for us with SEO being a focus.

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

I have worked closely with the owner of the company, Skyler and Myles. Both are fantastic to work with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We went from having barely any website search presence to now 45 first page ranked words! This has resulted in a lot more organic traffic and sales leads. Also our website is beautiful and we are very happy with the outcome.

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

They are very responsive and easy to work with. They understand what I am trying to convey to my audience.

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

I would say the results as they did no over promise and our campaign has been more successful than I had hoped for. I was not sure SEO would be a worthwhile investment for my industry, but I listened to their advice. After 2.5 years I can tell you that it was a great investment for my Company. We have become one of the premier companies in our field and I believe our strong online presence has played a significant part in that.

People trust us to handle their important projects and we receive organic calls all the time just from people finding us on the web. In an industry that use to be word of mouth only, online searching has really become more popular because the workforce is newer. Thanks Firesttarter!

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

I have only had one issue during the 2.5 years and they resolved it right away, which I was impressed with. So no, nothing I can see that they can improve on.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of a hardwood production and installation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

I needed their team's expertise in SEO marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I've engaged Firestarter SEO to handle my SEO marketing needs. They've initially developed and designed two websites to deploy the SEO strategies I need. Upon accomplishing those deliverables, their team has asked me about the keywords I want to prioritize, both for site rankings and content.

Firestarter SEO has then provided different SEO packages for me to choose from. I've decided to choose the package that suits my budget and goals, so they've then focused on writing blog entries and updating my platforms to help boost my Google ranking and organic leads.

What is the team composition?

I work with 3–4 resources from Firestarter SEO, including one account manager, one writer, and Kyle (Director of Sales).

How did you come to work with Firestarter SEO?

I found them on Google while searching for SEO agencies to onboard for this project. Most of the providers I talked to had stringent contract rules, and Firestarter SEO gave me the most flexible options. 

How much have you invested with them?

The monthly contract amounts to $1,500, with a top-up of $200–$300 for additional work.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's easy to tell that whatever Firestarter SEO has been doing is working for my business. They've only needed 1–3 months to help me reach my goal of landing the first page on Google, which has also rewarded me with a higher client acquisition rate via Google. Additionally, my conversion rate has impressively gone up.

How did Firestarter SEO perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate via email, phone calls, and text messages. Firestarter SEO is on top of their project management game, and I'm happy to be working with a team as responsible and flexible as them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed with Firestarter SEO's transparency —  they don't hesitate to tell me exactly how a process must happen and how long it will take for me to reach my goals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of any constructive feedback. They get the work done when I need it.

Any advice for potential customers?

Trust their team to do everything right and make things happen for your business

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

We brought them on for SEO services.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firestarter SEO?

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

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.