Finding the right search engine marketing (SEM) agency can be the difference between a thriving online presence and a wasted ad budget. With countless agencies offering PPC management, SEO services, and digital advertising expertise, choosing the best partner for your business requires careful consideration.
We’ve analysed businesses using key performance indicators like search traffic, Google visibility, and online reviews to determine the top players in search engine marketing. Our research-backed list highlights the best in the industry—so you don’t have to dig through the data yourself!
1. Munro Agency
The Munro Agency is a Glasgow-based digital marketing agency focused on B2B lead generation, marketing automation, and web design. We offer SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, and website development to help businesses grow their online presence and generate leads. The agency prioritises data-driven marketing, ensuring their clients achieve higher conversion rates and sustainable business growth.
Office Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Year Founded: 2016
Team Size: 2 – 10 employees
Key Services: B2B lead generation, marketing automation, SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, website design and development
Industries Served: Education, software, technology, consulting
Case Studies: View all case studies
2. HawkSEM
HawkSEM is a digital marketing agency that helps businesses improve their marketing performance using data-driven strategies. Founded in 2006, the agency focuses on paid search, SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and conversion rate optimisation. Their proprietary ConversionIQ System integrates marketing channels and analytics to optimise campaigns for higher ROI.
Office Location: Los Angeles, USA
Year Founded: 2006
Team Size: 50–100 employees
Key Services: Paid Search (PPC) Management, SEO, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), Remarketing & Retargeting
Industries Served: E-commerce, SaaS, Higher Education, Healthcare, Financial Services, Industrial, Real Estate, Legal, Franchise, Cybersecurity, Fashion
Case Studies: View all case studies
Disruptive Advertising is a digital marketing agency that specialises in data-driven strategies to help businesses grow their online presence. Their approach focuses on measurable results, tailoring campaigns to each client’s specific needs. With a team of over 160 professionals, they have worked with well-known brands across multiple industries.
Office Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah, USA
Year Founded: 2012
Team Size: 160+ employees
Key Services: Paid Search Management, Paid Social Advertising, SEO, Lifecycle Marketing, Amazon Advertising, Lead Generation, eCommerce Solutions, Creative Services
Industries Served: Energy, Retail, Finance, Education, Technology, Outdoor Gear, Pet Products, Fitness, Customer Experience, Home Improvement, Software, Communication, Professional Services
Case Studies: View all case studies
4. Gripped
Gripped is a London-based B2B digital marketing agency focused on helping SaaS and technology companies grow. They specialise in demand generation, lead generation, and account-based marketing to build pipelines. Their services cover content marketing, SEO, paid search and more. By understanding client challenges, they create tailored strategies that deliver measurable results.
Office Location: London, United Kingdom
Year Founded: 2017
Team Size: 32 employees
Key Services: Demand generation, lead generation, account-based marketing, content marketing, SEO, paid search, paid social, website design and management, marketing technology integration
Industries Served: SaaS, Technology, IT
Case Studies: View all case studies
5. Directive
Directive is a performance marketing agency specialising in B2B and SaaS sectors. They offer services in content marketing, SEO, branding, and more. Their Customer Generation methodology focuses on blending paid media, SEO, design, strategy, revenue operations, and video to drive growth. Directive has worked with major brands such as Amazon, Uber Freight, Snap Inc., Calendly, Adobe, Cisco, and ZoomInfo.
Office Location: Irvine, California, USA
Year Founded: 2014
Team Size: Approximately 100 employees
Key Services: Content Marketing, SEO, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising, Branding, Revenue Operations, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), Performance Design, Video Production
Industries Served: B2B, SaaS, Technology
Case Studies: View all case studies
6. POLARIS
POLARIS is a London-based SEO agency specialising in organic search strategies for e-commerce and B2B companies. They focus on user profiling, channel optimisation, and increasing website visibility to drive conversions. With over 15 years of experience, POLARIS works as an extension of their clients’ marketing teams. The company has worked with brands such as Dune London, Thomson Reuters, and Sodexo.
Office Location: London, United Kingdom
Year Founded: 2009
Team Size: 11-50 employees
Key Services: SEO audits, technical SEO, international SEO, local SEO, content marketing strategy, content writing services, B2B content marketing, link-building services, digital PR campaigns, website SEO migration services
Industries Served: Fashion and retail, consulting, finance, technology
Case Studies: View all case studies
7. SmartSites
SmartSites is a full-service digital marketing agency specialising in website design, SEO, and PPC. Founded in 2011, the agency has worked with over 900 clients, delivering data-driven strategies that improve online visibility and drive revenue. SmartSites offers custom website development, eCommerce solutions, and conversion rate optimisation, ensuring clients maximise their digital presence.
Office Location: Paramus, New Jersey, USA
Year Founded: 2011
Team Size: 100+ employees
Key Services: Website Design, SEO, PPC Marketing, Email and SMS Marketing, Social Media Management
Industries Served: Home Services, Medical and Healthcare, Legal Services, Automotive,
B2B, Retail, Industrial and Commercial, Small Businesses
Case Studies: View all case studies
8. Fly High
Fly High Media is a digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social media management, and website design. Founded in 2016, the agency helps businesses grow their online presence through tailored strategies and data-driven campaigns. Their approach focuses on delivering measurable results by improving search engine rankings, increasing website traffic, and optimising ad performance.
Office Location: Hooton, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Year Founded: 2016
Team Size: 11-50 employees
Key Services: SEO, PPC, Social Media Management, Website Design
Industries Served: B2B, B2C, E-commerce, Education, Fashion, Financial Services, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Property, Travel
Case Studies:Â View all case studies
9. SALT.Agency
SALT.agency is a specialist technical SEO consultancy offering tailored strategies to improve online visibility. They focus on technical SEO, international SEO, and SEO strategy, helping businesses enhance their organic search performance. Their team has experience working with global brands and SMEs, delivering bespoke solutions to complex SEO challenges.
Office Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
Year Founded: 2014
Team Size: 11-50 employees
Key Services: Technical SEO, SEO Strategy, International SEO, eCommerce SEO, SEO Migration, Enterprise Local SEO, Google Penalty Recovery, GA4 Setup
Industries Served: Transport & Logistics, Manufacturing, Finance, Travel, Franchise,
Automotive, Healthcare, Energy, Retail, Fashion, Cloud & SaaS
Case Studies: View all case studies
10. Semetrical
Semetrical is a multi-award-winning digital marketing agency based in London. They offer bespoke digital solutions tailored to ambitious brands. Their core services include SEO, paid media, content marketing, social media, web analytics, and digital PR. By combining creativity, innovation, and technology, Semetrical develops strategies that enhance online visibility and drive business growth.
Office Location: London, UK
Year Founded: 2013
Team Size: 50–99 employees
Key Services: SEO, Paid Media, Content Marketing, Social Media, Web Analytics, Digital PR
Industries Served: B2B, E-commerce, Fashion, Travel
Case Studies: View all case studies
11. Varn
Varn is a specialist SEO and search marketing agency based in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. With over 15 years of experience, they help businesses improve their search performance through technical SEO, data analytics, and AI-driven strategies. Their clients range from e-commerce brands and SMEs to global organisations in publishing, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Office Location: Bradford-on-Avon, UK
Year Founded: 2010
Team Size: Under 10 employees
Key Services: Technical SEO, Data Analytics, Off-page SEO, AI Search & Innovation, SEO Training
Industries Served: E-commerce, Publishing, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals
Case Studies: View all case studies
12. Loud Mouth Media
Loud Mouth Media is a performance marketing agency offering PPC, Paid Social, SEO, and Ecommerce Marketing. Established in 2011, the agency has grown to a team of 30+ experts. They focus on transparent, measurable, and data-driven digital advertising to drive business growth. Their Performance Creative services enhance campaigns with engaging visuals and messaging.
Office Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Year Founded: 2011
Team Size: 30+ employees
Key Services: PPC, Paid Social, SEO, Ecommerce Marketing, Performance Creative
Industries Served: Ecommerce, B2B, B2C, Education, Travel and Tourism, Retail
Case Studies: View all case studies
13. Seed
Seed is a performance-driven digital marketing agency based in Brighton, UK, specialising in sustainable growth for ethical and socially responsible brands. As a Certified B Corporation™, Seed delivers measurable results through services such as Organic Search, Paid Search, Social Media Marketing, PR, and Design. Their flexible agency model moves away from traditional fixed contracts and hourly billing, offering tailored solutions for long-term partnerships.
Office Location: Brighton, UK
Year Founded: 2014
Team Size: 11-50 employees
Key Services: Organic Search, Paid Search, Social Media Marketing, PR, Design
Industries Served: E-commerce, education, consumer goods
Case Studies: View all case studies
14. OpenMoves
OpenMoves is a performance-driven digital marketing agency based in Huntington, New York. Established in 2000, the agency specialises in paid media, search engine optimisation, creative services, and marketing automation. Their team of over 30 professionals focuses on delivering measurable results for a diverse clientele, including established businesses, start-ups, franchises, non-profits, and e-commerce organisations.
Office Location: Huntington, New York, USA
Year Founded: 2000
Team Size: 30+ employees
Key Services: Paid Search, Paid Social, Search Engine Optimisation, Conversion Rate Optimisation, Email Marketing, Creative Services
Industries Served: E-commerce, Healthcare, Higher Education, Technology, Retail
Case Studies: View all case studies
Funnel Boost Media is a digital marketing agency based in San Antonio, Texas. The agency provides search engine optimisation, pay-per-click advertising, website design, and social media marketing services. Since 2011, they have worked with businesses in industries such as home improvement, financial services, healthcare, and legal services to increase lead generation.
Office Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Year Founded: 2011
Team Size: 11-50 employees
Key Services: Search engine optimisation, pay-per-click advertising, website design and development, social media marketing, mobile application development
Industries Served: Home improvement, financial services, healthcare, legal services
Case Studies: View all case studies
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the best SEM agency for you is the one that aligns with your goals, budget, and industry. Whether you’re looking for data-driven strategies, expert PPC management, or a full-service digital marketing approach, the agencies on this list have the experience to help you grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Search engine marketing services include paid advertising strategies to increase website visibility on search engines like Google and Bing. These services typically involve pay-per-click advertising, display ads, remarketing, and shopping ads to drive targeted traffic to a website.
SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is paid, while SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is organic. SEM involves paid ads like Google Ads, whereas SEO focuses on optimising content to rank naturally in search results.
Yes, SEM is worth it for businesses that want immediate visibility and targeted leads. Unlike SEO, which takes time, SEM delivers instant traffic and can provide a strong return on investment (ROI) when optimised properly.
Google is the best search engine for marketing, as it dominates the search market with over 90% market share. However, Bing Ads and YouTube Ads can also be effective, depending on the target audience and industry.
The cost of SEM varies based on industry, competition, and keywords. Highly competitive industries like legal or finance have higher cost-per-click (CPC) rates, while niche markets may have lower costs. With proper budget management and optimisation, SEM can be cost-effective.
