SmartSites

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner of a Native American Indian trader gallery in southern Arizona. We buy directly from Native American artisans throughout the Southwest and resell their products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with SmartSites?
We needed help with our SEO, PPC, and social media marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?
SmartSites provides SEO, PPC, and social media marketing services. For SEO, we have biweekly meetings to discuss and plan website content, literature, blogs, headers, descriptions, and everything else that’s keyword and description-driven. We also work on backlinks to similar companies or websites we want to be associated with.

Aside from that, they’ve also done blog posting and created other types of content for my website. Since we have a very specific product mix, SmartSites has assigned Matthew (Chief Sales Officer) the task of researching and analyzing our company’s background and our products, materials, and artists to create a six-month SEO roadmap.

On the digital marketing side, SmartSites handles our Google and PPC ads. This involves creating and managing our ads on Google and Meta (Facebook and Instagram). They’ve also helped me with our marketing efforts on Pinterest and Etsy through multiple campaigns.

What is the team composition?
I primarily work with Robert (PPC Analyst).

How did you come to work with SmartSites?
I found SmartSites through a cold search on the internet. They were one of five companies I called and the only company willing to offer high-level resources with 5–10 years of experience in the market. They offered those individuals as resources to create accounts and help me with PPC, social marketing, and SEO. That’s why I went with them.

How much have you invested with them?
We spend between $10,000–$15,000 per month.

What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in May 2024, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
SmartSites has increased our ROI from 1–2 times to 4–5 times in just a short period of time. My SEO traffic is up 50%, and my leads have increased by 100–200%. They’ve been instrumental in the success of my business website. Their creativity, strong grasp of what I do, and ability to expand on it have been exceptional. I don’t believe I’ve ever worked with someone with better ideas and expertise in their field.

Aside from that, they’ve been great at creating different types of campaigns under an A/B testing platform.

How did SmartSites perform from a project management standpoint?
SmartSites exceeds expectations in terms of project management. They’re receptive to requests and able to adapt to our changing needs and schedule.

We primarily communicate via email and Zoom, and we use their dashboard to track our progress and metrics.

What did you find most impressive about them?
I’m most impressed with SmartSites’ exceptional customer service. Their response rate to our questions is very fast, and they always make time to accommodate our needs and accomplish their tasks quickly.

Are there any areas they could improve?
When we started, they approached our project with a canned response. They had specific benchmarks they wanted to do, and they didn’t customize it off the bat. Instead of tailoring it to our company, they tried to do what they wanted for the first 4–6 weeks. That was my only knock on them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be patient because getting results takes a long time. Also, learn your product intimately because every detail matters. Every word, description, and category is marketable on its own. You need to learn your product better than you think you do.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Director of Metal Master Shop

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Metal Roofing Supply Shop & Fabricator

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Website Design and Layout update
• SEO improvements

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Referral

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We started working with SmartSites early this year to update our website and we've been very satisfied with their services. While we're still in the pre-launch phase, the improvements we've seen so far are remarkable. We’re confident that once live, our new website will significantly enhance our online presence and better serve our customers. Our Project Manager Jonathan's expertise and dedication have made this process smoother than we’ve ever expected. We are eagerly anticipating the launch and the positive impact it will have on our business.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

What stood out was their collaborative approach. They took the time to understand our brand, goals, and target audience, ensuring the new design aligned perfectly with our vision.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

we're still in the pre-launch phase, the improvements we've seen so far are remarkable.

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Collaborative Planning. From the start, they've involved us in every step of the process. 

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

Not at the moment. Everything is going as planned so far. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Development Theory

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We do business valuations, exit plans, and growth consulting for small businesses across the U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Increase website traffic
• Set up Google Ads
• Get more leads

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Online Search

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Communication

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I hired SmartSites to do SEO and PPC advertising for my company:

• They started with a competitor analysis and keyword research
• They developed a marketing strategy
• They made some technical fixes to my website
• They wrote and published blog posts
• They launched a Google Ads campaign
• They are working on creating some additional website pages and getting backlinks, too

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We just got the results back from the first two days of our Google Ads being live - wow!! Knowing these could vary over time, I am very happy with the initial results! When I first started with SmartSites, we did an Ad ROI calculator and estimated that the cost per click would be about $10.00 based on my industry. Since the Google ads went live, the cost per click has been less than $3.00! 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

• SmartSites is very responsive.
• They update me throughout the month on what they are working on. 
• They send me drafts of blog posts and other content to review before it goes live. 
• SmartSites is great to work with!

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

I like their onboarding process in particular. Before our initial meeting, they had started doing research on my website to plan what they could help me with. In our first meeting, they were able to show me things like:

• Domain Authority scores
• Keywords
• Backlinks

Since I don't specialize in marketing, much of that was new to me. 

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

I can't think of anything SmartSites could improve on! They have been great!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive of LINK Necklaces

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Online jewelry store LINK Necklaces. Link, swap, bundle, repeat. We're all about giving you the freedom to STYLE IT YOUR WAY. Choose your chain, select the length, and add a pendant (or two). Fits with every outfit, every time. Get that LINKing feeling with our affordable collection!

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Paid Ads - Revenue Growth Meta and Google
• Improve ROAS on those platforms

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Revenue growth on Meta platforms and Google and increating ROAS
• Feedback and advice on creatives needed (made by us)
• Growth opportunities by adding other platforms or changing platforms

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Increase in revenue
• Better ROAS

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

• Always very quick to answer emails or text 
• Online meetings are structured and very efficient
• Response/explanation are always easy to understand and detailed
• There is no such thing as too many questions
• Very professional
• Always going the extra mile
• True team players

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Definitely going the extra mile by offering to help with issues not necessarily within the project's scope. They stay on top of it all at all times. SmartSites continuously tweaks campaigns to get the most for our money.

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

So far so good

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing/eCommerce Project Manager of an industrial supply company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Lifting Sling manufacturer and Industrial supplier

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Increase traffic to our website
• Increase ecommerce conversions
• Increase ecommerce sales

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Referral

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Build, maintain and manage campaigns effectively to promote our key products, while keeping ppc costs low.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Open communication and lowering PPC costs while increasing conversion rates.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Smartsites was incredibly strong from the start. Our onboarding introduced us to our Senior PPC Analyst who has been consistent with us throughout. Its a great experience to be introduced to the person who will be guiding us along the way instead of being passed through several people at different steps in the beginning.

Anthony has been prompt in his responses to us and will work with his other team members to find solutions for our proposed changes. Any questions we have are addressed quickly and with complete professionalism. I trust that we are making the right decision with any campaign management changes with him in charge.

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The onboarding process really sticks out to me. We've had the same person since our introductory call, not passed from person to person.

Anthony is also great with collaborating with his other team members to gain insights we may have questions about.

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

I'm not sure I have an answer to this.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Partnership Associate of Merge

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Merge is an M&A Broker for Digital Marketing Agencies! 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Improve SEO
• Improve Website Performance

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Online Search

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

SmartSites conducted a comprehensive SEO and website audit, thoroughly examining our backlinks, competitor keywords, and more. They developed a strategic action plan and promptly implemented changes to enhance our website's speed, accessibility, and SEO performance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Even though the project is still ongoing, the SmartSites team has been nothing short of amazing. They’ve taken the time to really understand our business and its unique needs, which has made a world of difference. From identifying key issues with our website to providing swift and effective solutions, their dedication and expertise have been evident in every step of the process.

We’ve been impressed by their responsiveness and commitment to getting us the answers we need quickly. Given the incredible progress so far, we foresee a strong, ongoing relationship with SmartSites as they continue to help us achieve our goals.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

A huge reason we chose to work with SmartSites is that they operate in a similar manner to us—speed and efficiency without sacrificing quality. Before signing on, we had the pleasure of working with Ryan Brew, who put together a comprehensive SEO audit and proposal for us.

Ryan was incredibly responsive to all my follow-up questions, which gave us a great sense of confidence in their approach. Once the sale was complete, we were assigned Nate and Tiffany as our project managers. They’ve been equally impressive, consistently responsive, and proactive in addressing our needs. Their attention to detail and commitment to delivering on time has made the entire process smooth and effective

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The most impressive aspect of working with SmartSites has been their ability to understand our business truly. We have a unique business model with a very niche clientele, and in the past, we've struggled to outsource projects like this due to the specialized nature of our work. However, SmartSites took the time to thoroughly research and grasp the intricacies of our business.

They didn’t just treat it as another project; they genuinely understood the business value and aligned their efforts with our specific goals. This level of dedication and insight is something we've rarely encountered and has made a significant difference in the success of the project.

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

None yet! 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an Executive of Quality Demolition and Junk Removal llc

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

demolition

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• bonii

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Online Search

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Increase Website Traffic: Drive relevant traffic to www.qualitydemoandjunk.com 
• Generate Leads: Capture high-quality leads through targeted ad campaigns.
• Boost Sales: Enhance online sales through effective ad strategies.
• Improve ROI: Achieve a high return on investment through optimized ad spend.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Impressions: The Google Ads campaigns generated impressions across various networks, increasing brand visibility and awareness among the target audience.
• Clicks: Achieved clicks during the campaign period, demonstrating strong engagement and interest in Quality Demolition's products/services.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The overall click-through rate (CTR) for the campaigns was above the industry average, indicating effective ad copy and targeting strategies.
• Conversion Rate: The conversion rate for the campaigns was very high resulting in s number of successful conversions (leads, sales, etc.).

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Smart Sites demonstrated exceptional project management, consistently delivering all items on time and within scope. Peter was highly responsive to our needs, addressing any concerns promptly and effectively.

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What impresses me most about SmartSites is their innovative approach to online advertising, seamlessly integrating data-driven strategies with creative design to maximize client engagement. SmartSites' personalized customer service and proven track record of delivering tangible results make them stand out.

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

While SmartSites excels in many areas, they could further enhance their offerings by expanding their use of emerging technologies like AI-driven analytics to stay ahead of market trends.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Operator of a mounting hardware provider.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provider of mounting hardware for devices on land and sea. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Increase Rev
• Increase relevant traffic
• Manage our selling channel under one roof.

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We needed a full service professional company to manage everything that is PPC for Google, Meta and Bing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

It got busy! Relavant traffic picked up, avaerage order value increased month over month and seasonality concern were countered with tactics to keep orders coming in. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Organized. Knowledgable with suggestions on our industry and how to strech our budget and not just default to increasing it. We werent dealing with a note taker, it is reassuring to know we're working with the person that actually pushes the buttons. 

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

Virtual Meeting

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

Our video meetings on an as needed basis is nice. SmartSites' suggestions come through with knowledge and are backed by research on our type of customer. Working directly with the person that knows how to manipulate the beast that is Google and Meta vs. sending a message/demand to a back office in another country. 

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

No, not at the moment. Will update once I find an issue. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Escapeworks Denver

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Escapeworks Denver is an escape room in downtown Denver. We provide themed rooms with challenging puzzles and scenarios for customers to try and "escape". 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Create/Maintain our website.
• Create/Maintain our PPC campaigns.

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Online Search

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

SmartSites has optimized our SEO and helped maintain our website. We are in the process of having them create a new site from scratch. Kolbe has been great! His PPC knowledge speaks for itself. Our google ads results have increased significantly since signing up with Kolbe and Smartsites. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our previous PPC campaigns with another company were constantly providing 1x-2x of our budget in results. Kolbe has made changes to increase those results to 3x-4x. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everything we signed up for has been delivered on time or ahead of schedule. Communication has been key in creating an efficient, ongoing effort to sort out issues that have come up. 

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

Virtual Meeting

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

The team at Smartsites is very knowledgeable. Each person has their specialty and it really shows. Kolbe has been outstanding managing our PPC campaigns.

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

We had a few bumps in the road during the transition when they took over our existing website. Since then everything has been smooth sailing. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Director of Load Cell Central

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufacturer of load cell-based industrial force measurement/weighing systems and components.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SmartSites to accomplish?

• Handle SEO and improve organic rankings (Christen)
• Manage our PPC advertising (Darius)

SOLUTION

How did you find SmartSites?

Online Search

Why did you select SmartSites over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from SmartSites were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired Smartsites to take over our SEO and our PPC. We wanted a more hands-on and responsive team than we previously had. We were/are primarily interested in optimizing our PPC and improving organic ranking for our main keywords. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Smartsites has significantly above our expectations. 

1. They are Very responsive to our questions and concerns, typically with same day replies unless I sent the email late in the day. 
2. Significant improvement in PPC results and SEO. 
3. They are providing MUCH more as far as services go, specifically content writing, making website changes/blog posts as needed without having to go through our web developer, and providing PPC management with SEO for the same price we were previously paying for SEO alone (without content writing and and website changes) 
4. Complete transparency in billing. They provide a detailed breakdown on how all billable hours are used 
5. Real-time viewing access (via ActiveCollab) to what is being done, by who, and communication with those individuals. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

As stated previously, Christen and Darius are extremely responsive and thorough. One example is when our phones were more quiet than usual. I brought the issue up to Christen asking if she could look into any possible website or Google issues. She got back to me immediately with a plan. Within a few days, she had the results of her investigation and a plan of action. 

All deliverables within the control of Smartsites have been on schedule. The only times that any items were not delivered on time were instances where I was late getting them the information they needed.

What was your primary form of communication with SmartSites?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

I am amazed at the sheer quantity and high quality of work SmartSites performs, especially at the quoted price. I was concerned at first that it was too good to be true, but I am thrilled to report that my concerns were completely unfounded.

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

Not at this point.