6 Best SEO Agencies in Ottawa in 2024
Seeking to dominate your local market with a strong online presence? The leading SEO agencies in Ottawa can help you break through the noise and get noticed by your target audience.
Published July 15, 2024.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is key to any successful digital marketing strategy. By optimizing your website and content for search engines, you can significantly improve your online visibility, attract more qualified traffic, and ultimately drive more leads and sales for your business. Whether you're looking to boost your website's search rankings, increase organic traffic, or enhance your online presence, partnering with the right SEO agency can make all the difference.
In Ottawa, there is no shortage of talented SEO agencies that can help you achieve your digital marketing goals. The options can be overwhelming, from specialized boutique firms to full-service digital agencies. To help you navigate the landscape, we've curated a list of Ottawa's 6 best SEO agencies that have consistently delivered exceptional results for their clients. These agencies have proven track records, innovative strategies, and a deep understanding of the local market, making them the top choices for businesses of all sizes seeking to optimize their online performance.
Our top picks
How we choose the best experts
Every expert must go through a data-based vetting program before their profile can go live on Mayple.com. This is how we vet our experts:
- Proven track record of results: We get view-only access to the experts’ accounts and analyze the results they’ve achieved for different brands, according to their niches. Only the marketers that have achieved above-benchmark results can become official Mayple experts
- Professional practices: We have a long list of best practices per skill set that determines whether a marketer is professional or not. This is compared against their actual past work, for example, their account structure, A/B testing methodologies, and 100+ other criteria so we don’t miss a single thing.
Other than that, we also provide unbiased monitoring services. Our monitoring system checks over 180 parameters relating to the professional level of work and your campaigns’ KPIs, to help ensure a high chance of success. Here are some of the parameters we monitor:
A/B testing methodology
Account structure
Naming convention
Targeting approach
Shopping ads methodology
Attribution models
Revenue & ROAS
KPI's: CTR, CVR, CPA & more
Change-log
Funnel conversion rates
Top 5
1. Awkward Media. - Best SEO agency overall
2. Casa Media. - Best for innovative four-phase SEO methodology
3. Human After All. - Best for manufacturing and distribution companies
4. WebTimize. - Best for startups looking to scale
5. Wayfinder Agency. - Best for creative, industry-specific strategies
Brief overview
Awkward Media is a leading SEO agency known for its innovative and results-driven approach to search engine optimization. The company has gained recognition for its ability to deliver outcomes up to four times faster than traditional SEO methods. With over 12 years of experience, Awkward Media has developed and refined a unique SEO strategy that consistently places its clients on the first page of search results.
Why we chose Awkward Media
Awkward Media stands out in the crowded SEO landscape due to their innovative approach and impressive track record. Their unique methodology, developed and refined over 12 years, allows them to deliver results up to four times faster than traditional SEO methods. This accelerated timeline is particularly valuable for businesses looking to quickly establish or improve their online presence. Additionally, Awkward Media's focus on measurable ROI ensures that clients can clearly see the impact of their SEO investments.
Budget: Up to $100k
Track record: Awkward Media has driven impressive results for clients, including a 220% ROI from organic search in 6 months, a 23-point increase in domain authority, and a 216% increase in keywords ranked.
Industry focus: Health & wellness, professional services, technology, travel, home & garden, automotive, beauty, electronics, finance
Pros
- Delivers results up to 4X faster than traditional methods
- Focuses on getting clients on the first page of Google
- Award winning and game changing SEO agency
Cons
- Keyword strategy can change frequently, requiring adaptability
Brief overview
Casa Media is a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, PPC, and inbound marketing. They aim to engage audiences through seamless UI/UX, delightful inbound marketing, and proven PPC strategies, improving brand value until viewers become customers. Casa Media's approach is divided into four phases: authority cleanup, technical SEO, on-page optimization, and content + backlinks.
Why we chose Casa Media
Casa Media stands out for their innovative approach to digital marketing. They segment their SEO strategy into four key phases: authority cleanup, technical SEO, on-page optimization, and content + backlinks. This methodical process ensures a comprehensive approach to improving search rankings.
Budget: Up to $1M+
Track record: Casa Media has driven significant growth for clients, increasing engagement metrics by over 100% and scaling ad spend by over 300% in just two months for one client.
Industry focus: Food & drink, health & wellness, travel, art & entertainment, style & fashion, education, nonprofit & government, finance, sports, outdoors & fitness, home & garden
Pros
- Innovative four-phase SEO strategy for comprehensive improvement
- Bringing a modern twist to brands to resonate with target demographics
- Tailored content creation and backlink building for targeted keywords
Cons
- Unclear if they offer services beyond SEO, PPC, and social media
Brief overview
Human After All, a Montreal-based eCommerce and digital transformation agency, has been driving success for midsize and enterprise manufacturing and distribution companies since 2018. With over 50 projects completed, the agency's expertise spans across platforms and its CDAP-certified digital advisors excel in navigating B2B and D2C strategies, solution selection, and implementation, guiding clients towards a prosperous digital future.
Why we chose Human After All
Human After All's proven track record and comprehensive service offerings make it a standout choice for midsize and enterprise manufacturing and distribution companies. With over 50 successful projects completed since 2018, the agency has refined its expertise in deploying ROI-driven strategies that catalyze digital transformations and elevate customer experiences. As a certified BigCommerce partner and a leading Magento development company in Canada, Human After All's proficiency across platforms such as Magento, Shopify, Akeneo, and HubSpot further strengthens its reputation as a trusted digital transformation partner.
Budget: $2k - $20k
Track record: Human After All's extensive experience executing over 50 successful projects, their BigCommerce partnership, and their 15-year IT expertise demonstrate their track record of driving digital transformations and amplifying sales for midsize and enterprise clients.
Industry focus: Professional services, style & fashion, beauty, food & drink, home & garden
Pros
- Certified BigCommerce partner and proficient in leading platforms
- Proven track record in driving digital transformations and sales
- Expertise in navigating complex B2B and D2C strategies
Cons
- Limited information on pricing and project costs
Brief overview
WebTmize is a Montreal-based digital marketing agency that specializes in helping e-commerce and SaaS companies grow their online presence through a range of services, including SEO, SEM, paid social media advertising, email marketing, and web development.
Why we chose WebTmize
WebTmize has firmly established itself as a leading digital marketing agency, boasting an impressive track record of over 2,000 successful projects and managing an ad spend of $40 million in the previous year. The agency's data-driven approach and dedicated team of more than 20 marketing experts have enabled it to deliver impactful results for clients across diverse industries consistently. WebTmize's positive work culture and focus on employee development have also contributed to its ability to attract and retain top talent, ensuring that clients receive exceptional service and unparalleled expertise.
Budget: Up to $1M+
Track record: WebTmize has a proven track record of success, having delivered over 2,000 projects and managed $40 million in ad spend for 40+ active clients globally.
Industry focus: Baby, beauty, education, finance, food & drink, health & wellness, home & garden, professional services, real estate, sports, outdoors & fitness, style & fashion, technology, travel
Pros
- Collaborative, data-oriented approach with 20+ marketing experts
- Offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services
- Recognized as a member of Google's International Growth Program
Cons
- Primarily focused on e-commerce and SaaS clients, potentially limiting scope
Brief overview
Wayfinder Agency is a social media marketing agency based in Toronto, Canada. The agency specializes in providing data-driven, creative solutions for tabletop game and adjacent companies.
Wayfinder Agency's expertise lies in delivering exceptional client results through various digital marketing services. The agency's mastery of data-driven strategies, combined with a touch of creative wizardry, ensures that their clients' pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns yield remarkable results across the tabletop gaming industry.
Why we chose Wayfinder Agency
The Wayfinder Agency's extensive experience and proven track record in the tabletop gaming industry made them the ideal partner for our needs. Their data-driven approach and creative solutions have consistently delivered exceptional results for their clients, including a remarkable 82% increase in online sales year-over-year. Wayfinder's deep understanding of the gaming landscape and their ability to craft strategies that resonate with the target audience were key factors in our decision to collaborate with them.
Budget: $10k - $100k
Track record: Wayfinder Agency has driven exceptional results for clients, including a 7.1x return on ad spend, $655,631 in revenue attributed to ads, and a 461% increase in sales year over year for one client.
Industry focus: Gaming, technology
Pros
- Deep understanding of the tabletop gaming industry
- Expertise in PPC, SEO, email marketing, and social media
- Data-driven, creative solutions that drive tangible growth
Cons
- Potential lack of experience in industries outside of tabletop gaming
Brief overview
The Emms is a marketing agency that specializes in helping entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses achieve their goals. Founded by Marielle, the agency is a collective of marketing professionals who offer a wide range of services, from branding and logo design to website development, campaigns, and consulting.
Their mission is to support the key players who hold the future in their hands—entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. The agency believes that these entities are crucial to driving innovation and progress and is dedicated to providing them with the marketing expertise and tools they need to succeed.
Why we chose The Emms
The Emms were selected due to their impressive portfolio of successful marketing campaigns for diverse clients and their personalized approach, which begins with comprehensive workshops to craft tailored strategies and continuous optimization based on data and learnings. Their expertise spans multiple channels, enabling them to deliver integrated, high-impact campaigns that meet each client's unique needs.
Budget: Up to $200k
Track record: The Emms has a proven track record of driving significant business results for their clients, including doubling sales, reducing CPMs by 75%, and increasing website traffic up to 15 times.
Industry focus: Beauty, technology, home & garden, baby, style & fashion, professional services
Pros
- Proven track record of delivering successful marketing campaigns
- Commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses
- Ability to drive tangible results like increased sales and traffic
Cons
- May not offer the full range of enterprise-level marketing services
Do I need to hire an SEO agency?
If you're struggling to drive organic traffic to your website or improve your search engine rankings, hiring an SEO agency can be a crucial step in boosting your online visibility and revenue. An SEO agency can help you develop a comprehensive SEO strategy tailored to your business goals, leveraging their expertise in keyword research, content optimization, technical SEO, and link building. This approach can significantly enhance your website's visibility and drive more conversions.
Before deciding whether to hire an SEO agency, consider the current state of your website and the resources you have dedicated to SEO. If you lack in-house expertise or need help building or improving your SEO strategy, an agency can provide the necessary guidance and execution to achieve your objectives. Additionally, if you're looking to scale your business or need support during major website updates, an SEO agency can help ensure a smooth transition and optimal performance.
By partnering with an SEO agency, you can expect to see increased organic traffic, improved rankings for high-value keywords, and enhanced online reputation. This investment can lead to substantial revenue growth and a stronger online presence, making it a valuable consideration for businesses seeking to optimize their digital marketing efforts.
What does an SEO agency do?
An SEO agency is responsible for improving a website's visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). Their primary goal is to drive more organic traffic to a client's website, which can ultimately lead to increased leads, sales, and revenue.
Some of the key responsibilities of an SEO agency include:
- Keyword research: An SEO agency will conduct thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant and high-performing keywords for a client's business. This involves analyzing search volume, competition, and user intent to develop an effective keyword strategy.
- Content creation and optimization: The agency will work with the client to create high-quality, SEO-optimized content that provides value to the target audience. This includes optimizing page titles, meta descriptions, image alt text, and other on-page elements.
- Technical SEO: An SEO agency will audit a client's website for any technical issues that could be hindering its performance in search results. This may include fixing broken links, improving site speed, and ensuring proper indexing and crawling by search engines.
- Link building: The agency will implement a strategic link building campaign to acquire high-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites. This helps to improve the website's domain authority and overall search engine ranking.
- Reporting and analytics: An SEO agency will provide regular reports and analytics to track the progress and impact of their optimization efforts. This allows the client to understand the return on their investment and make informed decisions about their digital marketing strategy.
By leveraging their expertise and industry best practices, an SEO agency can help businesses of all sizes improve their online visibility, attract more qualified traffic, and ultimately, drive better business results.
How to choose the best SEO agency for your business
Determine your goals
The first step in choosing the right SEO agency is clearly defining your business goals. What do you hope to achieve through SEO? Do you want to improve your website's search rankings, increase organic traffic, or boost your online visibility? Having a clear understanding of your objectives will help you evaluate potential agencies and find the best fit.
Get recommendations from your network
Asking for referrals from your professional network is a great way to find reputable SEO agencies. People you trust can provide valuable insights into their experiences working with different providers. However, don't rely solely on these recommendations - you'll still need to vet the agencies thoroughly.
Research potential agencies
Once you have a list of potential SEO agencies, take the time to research each one. Examine their website, check their online reviews, and look for case studies or client testimonials. Pay attention to the agency's areas of expertise, their services, and their overall approach to SEO.
Evaluate their expertise and experience
When evaluating SEO agencies, look for providers with a proven track record of success. Ask about their team's qualifications, the specific strategies they use, and the results they've achieved for past clients. An experienced agency should be able to demonstrate their expertise and provide clear examples of their work.
Assess their communication and transparency
Effective communication is essential when working with an SEO agency. Look for providers that are transparent about their processes, provide regular updates, and are responsive to your questions and concerns. A good agency should be willing to explain their strategies in plain language and help you understand the progress they're making.
Consider the agency's pricing and contracts
SEO services can vary widely in terms of pricing, so it's important to understand the agency's pricing structure and what's included in their services. Avoid agencies that offer unrealistically low prices or promise guaranteed results, as these may be signs of questionable practices. Instead, look for agencies that provide clear, detailed contracts and pricing information.
Prioritize collaboration and alignment
Choosing an SEO agency is not just about finding the most skilled provider - it's also about finding a partner that aligns with your business values and culture. Look for an agency that is willing to collaborate closely with your team, understand your unique needs, and work towards your shared goals.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding the best SEO agency to help your business achieve its online marketing objectives.
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire an SEO agency?
The cost of hiring an SEO agency in Ottawa can vary widely depending on the scope of services, the agency's experience, and the competitiveness of your industry. On average, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $5,000 per month for a comprehensive SEO package from a reputable agency in Ottawa. Smaller, local agencies may charge $500 to $2,000 per month, while larger, more established firms can charge $3,000 to $10,000 or more. It's important to get quotes from multiple agencies and compare their services to find the best value for your business. Many agencies also offer à la carte services or project-based pricing if you don't need a full-service SEO retainer.
How does SEO work?
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving a website's visibility and ranking in organic (non-paid) search engine results. The goal of SEO is to drive more high-quality, relevant traffic to a website by making it more appealing and accessible to search engines like Google. This involves a combination of on-page optimizations (like improving website content, structure, and metadata) and off-page strategies (such as building high-quality backlinks and citations). An effective SEO campaign targets the specific keywords and search queries that potential customers are using to find businesses like yours. By ranking higher in these searches, you can attract more qualified leads and increase your online visibility.
How do I hire the right SEO company?
When hiring an SEO agency in Ottawa, look for one with a proven track record of success, transparent communication, and a data-driven approach. Start by reviewing the agency's portfolio, client testimonials, and case studies to assess their expertise. Make sure they have experience working with businesses in your industry and can demonstrate measurable results. Ask about their specific SEO strategies, reporting processes, and communication cadence to ensure they align with your goals and preferences. It's also important to consider the agency's pricing, service offerings, and whether they are a good cultural fit for your organization. Take the time to interview multiple agencies and request detailed proposals before making your decision.
Is SEO a one time job?
No, SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and optimization. Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving, and what works today may not be effective tomorrow. Successful SEO involves regularly monitoring your website's performance, identifying new opportunities, and adapting your strategies to maintain and improve your search engine rankings over time. While there may be some initial "quick wins" from on-page optimizations, sustaining long-term SEO results requires a commitment to content creation, link building, technical improvements, and other ongoing activities. Hiring an experienced SEO agency in Ottawa can help ensure your website remains competitive and visible in search results.
How long does SEO take to show results?
The time it takes to see tangible results from an SEO campaign can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of your industry, the current state of your website, and the scope of the SEO work being done. In general, you can expect to see some initial improvements in website traffic and rankings within the first 3-6 months of an SEO engagement. However, more significant and sustainable results often take 6-12 months or longer to achieve. It's important to have realistic expectations and work closely with your SEO agency to monitor progress, identify quick wins, and make adjustments to your strategy as needed. Patience and a long-term mindset are key when it comes to successful SEO in Ottawa.
Hire an SEO agency with data-backed results
Finding the right SEO agency can be tiresome, and that's where Mayple steps in, offering a smart solution by connecting you with proven SEO agencies. Their dedication to improving your ranking and increasing your traffic lands them the title of top SEO agency with us.
Awkward Media is the go-to agency for businesses seeking fast SEO results, delivering outcomes up to four times quicker than traditional methods. For comprehensive digital marketing strategies including SEO, PPC, and inbound marketing, Casa Media offers a four-phase approach to improve search rankings. Human After All specializes in eCommerce and digital transformation for midsize and enterprise manufacturing and distribution companies, excelling in B2B and D2C strategies across various platforms.
None of the above seems like the right fit? Not to worry. With Mayple you’ll find the perfect match for your business needs by harnessing the power of AI. Just because someone’s a marketing expert, doesn’t mean they’re right for your brand. Our AI algorithm uses multiple data sources and matching factors to ensure the experts you work with are the perfect fit to help you grow and scale. Exponential business growth is just one call away!
