Top 10 digital marketing agencies

Our world is growing ever more digitised. From the change in your purse to the latest bestseller, things which were once distinctly physical are now becoming digital. And in marketing it's no different.

Where a simple ad in the local paper might have sufficed twenty years ago, today you need a hard-hitting combination of SEO, sharp social media strategy, and a cunning Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to cut the marketing mustard.

However, that’s not easy for a busy entrepreneur, especially if the world of digital marketing leaves your head spinning.

But fear not! There are numerous digital marketing agencies out there with the experience and expertise on-hand, ready to supercharge your brand’s message so it’s heard by the right people, at the right time, in the right place.

We’ve drawn up a list of the top ten marketing agencies from up and down the UK, so you can see what’s out there and ponder which are best-suited to you.

Top 3 digital marketing agencies at a glance

The cost of outsourcing your digital marketing depends entirely on what's required, which is why most marketing agencies will only provide this once you’ve requested a quote directly. Fortunately, we’ve developed a free, quick, and easy quote finder that’ll connect you with marketing agencies perfectly matched to your goals and requirements. It only take 2 minutes, and is completely free! 

#1. Yell (Reading) – best for new and small businesses

Yell can manage PPC, Google Ads, website design and many other digital marketing services for small to medium-sized businesses, including promoted listings in the Yell.com directory.

The directory listing is especially handy – not only will Yell use Google to promote it, but it will showcase you to those customers used to using the ‘yellow pages’ and who are more likely to go through Yell to find a local business.

Yell services:

• Website support.
• SEO.
• PPC.
• Google Shopping.
• Display ads.
• Social media.

Yell cost:

£600 pcm

Is Yell for me?

Yell is great for trade and professional services. So, if you’re setting up your own construction business – or run a solicitor’s firm, for example – then Yell is a digital marketing agency that’s well-equipped to handle your needs.

#2 Add People (Manchester), best for: personalised service

Featuring 84% ‘excellent’ reviews on Trustpilot, and boasting an experienced team (especially when it comes to Google Ads and social media), this Manchester-based marketing agency will provide you with a dedicated account manager and an office-worth of experienced digital marketers.

Ideal if you're looking for a personalised service and some speedy SEO results, Add People will put your website where it matters – page one of the SERPs (search engine results pages).

With a digital approach that favours strategy over creative, Add People will get you noticed through technique rather than design.

Add People services:

• Google Ads.
• Facebook ads.
• SEO.
• Website development.

Is Add People for me?

Are you looking for some basic digital marketing know-how and guidance? If so, Add People is for you – it's a digital marketing agency that provides a no-frills, digitally driven service.

#3 Revive Digital (Essex), best for an all-round service

With an extensive client base and an impressive portfolio, Revive produces flashy digital marketing creative that are fit to compete with bigger-budget brands.

Combining killer knowledge of SEO with stunning design, this is a digital marketing agency that’s great for businesses who are looking for an aesthetic as attractive as their search engine ranking.

Revive Digital services:

• Websites/ecommerce sites.
• SEO.
• Google Ads.
• Email advertising.
• Social media.
• Branding.
• Video production and animation.

Is Revive Digital for me?

If you’re looking for extensive online information and expert digital marketing knowledge, then Revive has you covered. Being diligent and direct, this agency will cover all the essentials to get your website ranking. However, the creative output is quite clinical, so it may not be for you if you’re after something super jazzy.

#4 ETCH (Southeast), best for a people-centred approach

Digital marketing agency ETCH describes itself as “bridging the gap between aesthetics and functionality.” It’s an agency that combines sleek design with keen marketing expertise.

With three offices, located in London, Southampton and Cape Town, this agency’s national and international reach shows that it knows what it’s doing.

A small, efficient team handles big brands like British Airways and the BBC, but it’s an agency just as adept at handling smaller brands that need some digital marketing support.

Etch services:

• Content creation.
• Paid media.
• Organic search.
• Digital PR.
• Strategy.
• Analytics and call tracking.
• Training.

Is Etch for me?

Does your brand need to rank on Google, develop its voice, and resonate with your audience on a human level? This is a marketing agency best-suited to B2C businesses who are looking for a voice that will be heard over everyone else’s.

#5 RBH (Coventry), best for: the West Midlands

A Coventry based agency that’s been going for 25 years, RBH's team of creative and digital strategy specialists provide a full suite of services. With sleek design and diverse digital marketing expertise covered, this is a marketing agency that’s perfectly suited to businesses looking for an ‘all-in-one’ package.

RBH services:

• PPC.
• SEO.
• Digital display.
• CRM marketing.
• Insight and planning.
• Integrated marketing.
• PR and social.
• Creative and brand.

Is RBH for me?

If you’re Midlands-based and need an effective digital marketing strategy, then yes. However, if you’re after off-the-wall creative and a campaign that makes a real splash, then this marketing agency might not be for you.

#6 Wash Studio (Preston), best for: true creative passion

An intimate team of eight, Wash Studio blends strategy with creativity from its offices in Artistry House, Preston.

Not only does Artistry House serve as the Wash Studio HQ, but it’s also a hub for Lancashire’s creatives. Wash advocates creativity that hasn’t come from a big city, and is keen to nurture the creative community in which it is situated.

So, it’s a wholesome marketing agency with good creative values – but what does it have to offer?

Wash Studio services:

• Film and motion.
• Branding.
• Creative strategy.

Is Wash for me?

Do you want your marketing campaign to have a huge impact? Are you willing to invest heavily into a colourful, high-spec digital marketing campaign? If so, then Wash Studio is for you. But, if you’re after something slightly more basic, Wash’s loud, imaginative approach might not be so suitable.

#7 Brass Agency (Leeds), best for: industry experience

Brass is a Leeds-based digital marketing agency that’s been going since 1983! A collection of creatives with diverse marketing experience, Brass prides itself on being able to create ideas that connect with and inspire audiences.

With big brands like Ribena and the BBC sitting proudly within Brass’ portfolio, this is a marketing agency with a track record that proves its popularity and professionalism. Its 77-strong workforce is well-equipped to handle any digital marketing requirements.

Brass services:

• Media strategy.
• PR.
• Digital.
• TV and film.
• Content marketing.
• Social media marketing.
• Branding.
• Advertising (print and digital).

Is Brass for me?

If you’re looking for energy and quirky creative to boost your digital marketing, then yes, Brass Agency is for you. However, if it’s just some simple digital strategy or help with SEO that you need, then you’re probably better off choosing differently.

#8 S3 Advertising (Wales, and London), best for: digital strategy

A marketing agency that spans Cardiff and London, S3 is brimming with talent and digital know-how. It’s been in the game since 2011, and is just as invested in the future of digital marketing talent – it offers a ‘representiship’ scheme for those who are looking to re-train, or who need an opportunity to enter the industry.

S3’s people-first approach will value your business and your brand, putting great minds to the task of creating something special. Offering varied services and a tight-knit team, S3 is a flourishing marketing agency that’ll grow your brand with earnest authenticity.

S3 services:

• Audience insight.
• Media planning and buying.
• Creative.
• Video.
• Web.
• Social media marketing.
• Digital.
• PR.
• SEO.
• CGI.

Is S3 for me?

If you’re keen to work with an agency that nurtures the creative industry and provides a high-level of digital marketing creative content, then yes, this is the marketing agency for you. But since it offers a comprehensive service with some top creative talent, you can expect that to come at quite a cost.

#9 Hallam (East Midlands), best for: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

An East Midlands agency flying the flag for Nottingham, this digital marketing agency boasts impressive clients – including the United Nations and Speedo – but is still well adapted to the needs of ambitious SMEs.

Hallam is a truly digital-focussed marketing agency that’s driven by strategy and cutting edge design. It’s perfect if you’re looking to boost your business’ ranking on Google – not to mention that Hallam was awarded the Drum’s Most Recommended Digital Agency of 2018.

Hallam services:

• Strategy.
• PPC.
• Web design.
• CRO.
• SEO.
• Digital PR.
• Automated email marketing.

Is Hallam for me?

Award-winning and highly recommended, this is the digital marketing agency that’ll get your business to the top of the SERPs and keep your audience engaged. The creative is less ‘jazzy’, but if it’s social strategy and SEO know-how you need, Hallam is sure to suit.

#10 NOW (Greater London), best for: quirky creative

Specialising in ‘unconstrained thinking’, NOW is a marketing agency that’ll take your brand to a new level. Having worked with plenty of new businesses and startups, but also boasting a client base that includes big names such as EE and Ocado, this is a marketing agency well-equipped to handle businesses large and small.

Groovy creative combined with hard-hitting digital strategy makes this London-based agency a top pick if you’re looking for something different, yet efficient.

NOW services:

• Advertising.
• Brand strategy.
• Design.
• Analytics.

Is NOW for me?

If your business is looking for a digital campaign with longevity that’ll generate interest and intrigue, then NOW is well suited to cater for what you need. If you’re looking for linear thinking, or something a little more run-of-the-mill, then NOW is not for you.

How to choose the right digital marketing agency for you.

Pinpoint your marketing requirements
Digital marketing covers many services, and it helps to set some solid expectations and decide on exactly what campaigns you would want before approaching an agency.

Don’t judge an agency by its cover creativity 
An agency with flashy designs and a wow-factor portfolio might look nice, but does it cover what you really need? Be practical when you’re selecting your digital marketing agency and don’t get blindsided by a pretty Instagram.

Does the agency practice what it preaches?
Is the agency ranking highly for relevant search terms, or is it sitting on page two of Google? Look into how the agency handles its own marketing. Does their social media wow you? How an agency markets itself will indicate how successful it’ll be at marketing your business.

Ask the right questions
Some good questions to ask include:

“Can I see some previous campaign examples?”
(This will indicate what the agency is able to produce).

“Who’s the account manager likely to be?”
(Knowing who will be handling your account will allow you to set up a face to face meeting, prior to the campaign kicking off).

“How long do clients typically stay with you?”
(A marketing agency that has long-term loyal clients shows it’s doing something right).

Talk it out!
Clear direction and good lines of communication will really boost your relationship with your agency. Outline your expectations in an initial meeting and, from then, make sure you are clear and fair with your chosen agency.

Next: Compare digital marketing agencies

Now you know what’s on the digital marketing market, so to speak, it’s time to look at some bespoke quotes. Most agencies keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to costs, as different services have different prices and certain jobs will take longer than others.

If you'd like pricing quotes from top UK digital marketing agencies that are tailored to your marketing goals, use our digital marketing form to tell us a bit more about what you need. We’ll then be able to connect you with the digital marketing agencies best-suited to what your requirements.