Top 10 digital marketing agencies

The world is growing ever more digitised. From the change in your purse to the latest bestseller, things which were once distinctly physical – such as your cinema tickets – are now entering the digital space.” And the world of marketing is no different.

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

However, that’s a tall order for a busy entrepreneur, especially if the world of digital marketing leaves your head spinning…

But fear not! There are plenty of 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 agencies from up and down the country, so you can have a look at what’s out there and ponder the kinds of service that are best-suited to your business needs.

Top 3 digital marketing agencies at a glance

Finding the right agency for your business can be a daunting task, so we’ve compiled a list of the top three:

The cost of going out-of-house for your digital marketing depends entirely on the nature of your business, which is why most agencies will only provide costing information once you’ve requested a quote directly. Fortunately, we’ve developed a free, quick, and easy quote finder that’ll put you in touch with agencies perfectly matched to your business.

Head to the top of the page and fill in our speedy online form. It’s simple – you provide the answers, and we’ll provide the quotes.

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

Yell provide a range of digital marketing services for small to medium-sized businesses, including website design, Google Ads, PPC management and promoted listings in the Yell.com directory.

The directory listing is especially handy – not only will Yell use Google to promote your business, but featuring in its directory will promote you to those customers used to using the ‘yellow pages’ approach, and who are more likely to go through Yell.com to find a local plumber (for example).

Yell services:

• Website TLC
• 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 an agency that’s well equipped to handle your digital marketing 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 agency will provide you with a dedicated account manager and an office-worth of experienced digital marketers.

Ideal for a small business looking for a personalised service and some speedy SEO results, Add People will put your website where it matters – at the top of the SERPs.

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

Add people services

• Google ads
• Facebook ads
• SEO
• Website development

Add People pros and cons

Is Add People for me?

Is your business looking for some basic digital marketing know-how and guidance? If so, Add People is for you – it’s an 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 materials that are fit to compete with bigger-budget brands.

Combining killer SEO knowledge with stunning design, this is an 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 a wealth of online information and expert digital marketing knowledge, then Revive has you covered. Diligent and to the point, this agency will cover all the essential bases to get your website ranking. However, the creative output is quite clinical, so if you’re after something super jazzy, you’ll be better off elsewhere.

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

In its own words, ETCH is “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 are in need of some digital marketing TLC.

Etch cost estimate:

Quote only available on request

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 an 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 all manner of digital marketing expertise covered, this is an 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

RBH cost estimation

Totally depends on which services you need (only available on request)

Is RBH for me?

If you’re Midlands-based and need effective digital marketing strategy put in place, then yes. However, if you’re after off-the-wall creative and a campaign that makes a real splash, you might be better off elsewhere.

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

An intimate team of eight, Wash Studio blends strategy with creativity from its offices in Aristry 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 agency with good creative values – but what does it have to offer?

Wash Studio services:

• Film and motion
• Branding
• Creative strategy

Wash cost estimate:

Quote available upon request – however, the high-spec creative means you can expect a large price tag.

Is Wash for me?

Do you want your campaign to make a big splash and 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 suited to your business needs.

#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 a variety of marketing experience, Brass prides itself on its ability to create ideas that connect with and inspire audiences.

With big names like Ribena and the BBC sitting proudly within Brass’ portfolio, this is an 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 servicesL

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

Brass cost estimate:

Quotes available on request

Is Brass for me?

If you’re looking for quirky creative and lots of energy to boost your digital marketing, then yes, Brass Agency is for you. However, if it’s just a touch of simple digital strategy or a helping hand in SEO you need, then you’re probably better off elsewhere.

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

An agency that spans two cities (Cardiff and London), S3 has bags of 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 are in need of 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. With a repertoire of services and a tight-knit team, S3 is a flourishing agency that’ll grow your brand with an earnest sense of authenticity.

S3 Services

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

S3 cost estimate:

Pricing available upon request

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, S3 is 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 has an impressive repertoire of 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 the fact that Hallam was awarded the Drum’s Most Recommended Digital Agency of 2018.

Hallem services:

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

Hallem cost estimate:

Quotes available on request

Is Hallem for me?

Award winning and highly recommended, this is the digital marketing agency that’ll get your business to the top of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) 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 fit the bill.

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

Specialising in ‘unconstrained thinking’, NOW is an agency that’ll take your brand to a new level. Having worked with new startups such as itch. , but also boasting a client base that includes big names such as EE and Ocado, this is an 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 include:

• Advertising
• Brand strategy
• Design
• Analytics

Now cost estimate:

Quotes available on request

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 your needs. If you’re looking for linear thinking, or something a little more run-of-the-mill, then NOW is not for you.

Tips for choosing the right digital marketing agency for you

Pinpoint your marketing requirements
Digital marketing covers a range of 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 agency and don’t get blindsided by a pretty Instagram.

Does the agency practice what it preaches?
Is the agency ranking top for relevant search terms, or is it sitting on page two of Google, not making the most of SEO? Look into how the agency handles its own marketing. Does their social media wow you, or leave a lot to be desired? The way an agency markets itself will be a good indicator as to 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 give an indication as to the kind of work 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 stay with you on average?”
(An 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 there on in, make sure you are clear and fair with your chosen agency.

What are the benefits of digital marketing?

1. Budget friendly
   Traditional marketing (i.e. printed, physical marketing) is expensive, and the landscape is monopolised by the bigger brands with budgets to match – making it hard for small businesses to compete. But digital marketing is one of the most cost effective ways of building excitement around your brand.
2. Measurable
   Analytic tactics remove the mystery from digital marketing, allowing you to see the direct impact of each and every campaign – brilliant for making smarter, more targeted marketing moves in the future.There’s a wealth of analytics tools that will tell you exactly how many people the campaign has reached, how many people engaged with the brand as a result, and how many conversions the campaign generated.
3. Streamlined
   Digital marketing allows you to position your product/service so that it appears in relevant Google searches via SEO.
   Methods such as pay-per-click, display, and social media advertising use demographic information to target those who are statistically most likely to be interested in your brand.
4. Make your brand a ‘social’ brand
   Digital marketing allows you to enter into the social world of your audience via social media, really allowing you to connect with your audience, and create a two-way narrative that’s both lasting and impactful.Social media also allows your customer to like, comment on, and share your product/service, plus you can publicly respond to any feedback (which really shows that you’re willing to nurture your consumer base).

Next Steps: Compare digital marketing agencies

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

To get a tailor-made quote for your business today, simply pop to the top of the page and answer some quick questions about your business. From your answers, we’ll be able to put you in touch with the agencies best-suited to your needs, and from there, you’ll receive direct quotes.