Top 10 SEM Agencies to Hire for Ranking High in 2024
Master search engine marketing with reputable SEM agencies vetted by Mayple. Exploit their specialized knowledge for ranking up top in 2024.
Published May 30, 2024.
Looking to boost your online presence and drive more qualified traffic to your website? Search engine marketing (SEM) could be the key. Through paid advertising and organic optimization strategies, SEM increases your visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
The numbers speak for themselves—an impressive 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine. With over 3.5 billion searches on Google alone daily, a strong SEM game plan is obvious for tapping into that massive pool of potential customers.
Mastering SEM is no easy feat, though. It requires an in-depth understanding of search algorithms, keyword research, bid management, etc. Partnering with a reputable SEM agency allows you to exploit their specialized knowledge and experience in crafting a tailored strategy that gets your search results to the top.
Our top picks for the best SEM agencies
1. SEM Booster - Best overall
2. The Online Lab - Best for high-budget SEM campaigns
3. Digital Drew SEM - Best for personal-level SEM services
4. Zonder Marketing - Best for improving CAC
5. Hype Feed - Best for audience segmentation through SEM
6. DigiCom - Best for eCommerce scalability with SEM
7. ST8 - Best for SEM in eCommerce
8. WebTmize - Best for enhanced performance marketing through SEM
9. KAMG - Best for optimizing eCommerce SEM results
10. Growth Spin Ltd - Best for scaling SEM campaigns
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 their results for different brands according to their niches. Only the marketers who 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. This is compared against their past work, for example, their account structure, A/B testing methodologies, and 100+ other criteria, so we don’t miss anything.
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
KPIs: CTR, CVR, CPA & more
Change-log
Funnel conversion rates
Do I need to hire an SEM agency?
For businesses looking to capitalize on search advertising opportunities, the advantages of an SEM agency's dedicated focus and capabilities make it a worthwhile investment. Partnering with an experienced agency gives you access to specialized expertise, cutting-edge tools, and precious time savings as the professionals handle the day-to-day optimization and advertising tasks. Reputable SEM firms stay ahead of the curve regarding frequent algorithm changes from search platforms like Google.
1
SEM Booster
SEM agency in London
Location
London
Services
SEM | PPC Management | CRO | Social media marketing | Tracking & reporting | Display ads | Remarketing | SEO
Budget range
$0 - $100k
Brief overview
SEM Booster is a dynamic digital marketing agency renowned for delivering measurable results and maximizing clients' return on investment (ROI). With a strong emphasis on building long-term, successful relationships, SEM Booster ensures clients see the value in their services.
Why we chose SEM Booster
As a Google Adwords Certified agency, SEM Booster guarantees that only seasoned Adwords professionals manage their clients' accounts, ensuring expert oversight and optimal performance. The agency's comprehensive suite of marketing services is designed to enhance digital visibility and drive business growth.
Specializing in results-driven pay-per-click (PPC) management, SEM Booster handles paid search campaigns across major search engine platforms, including Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Their professional and certified marketers are dedicated to optimizing these campaigns to convert more leads and generate increased sales from website traffic.
SEM Booster also excels in conversion rate optimization, employing strategies that turn website visitors into loyal customers. The agency uses Google Analytics to track, monitor, and analyze website traffic, leveraging this data to boost business profits.
Industry focus
- Finance
- Home & garden
- Education
- Electronics
- Professional services
Pros and cons
Full-suite digital marketing agency
Strong focus on tracking and reporting for maximum SEM and SEO results
Google Ads certified
Has no minimum time commitment and no restrictions on account structure
There is no track record of having worked with large brands, so they may be suited to smaller budgets only
2
The Online Lab
SEM agency in London
Location
London
Services
Google Ads | SEM | Videography & photography | Email marketing | Web development | Branding | Design | Social media marketing | SMM
Budget range
$500k - $1M
Brief overview
The Online Lab is a premier digital marketing agency that specializes in Google and Facebook advertising, branding, design, email automation, and social media management.
Known for their pragmatic and results-oriented approach, The Online Lab has a proven track record of delivering impressive client outcomes. The agency combines creative prowess with scientific precision to optimize brand visibility across multiple touchpoints, ensuring that products and services reach their target audiences effectively.
Why we chose The Online Lab
The Online Lab prides itself on handling high-level budgets with exceptional efficiency, often achieving double-digit returns. Their unique combination of passion, creativity, and agility sets them apart from larger, more cumbersome agencies. This team of proficient creative thinkers works with speed and agility, maintaining close communication and collaboration with clients to avoid the facelessness and latency that often plague the industry.
Their advertising approach is a blend of art and science, ensuring each strategy is both unique and innovative. The results speak for themselves, with The Online Lab achieving between 11x and 527x Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) on Facebook and up to 140x ROAS on Google. With over a million dollars in ad spend managed annually for hundreds of brands, their strategies are not only results-driven but also extensively proven.
Industry focus
- Gaming
- Baby
- Health & wellness
- Pets
- Travel
- Style & fashion
- Sports, outdoors & fitness
- Real estate
- Home & garden
- Food & drink
- Education
- Electronics
- Automotive
- Art & entertainment
Pros and cons
Offers a comprehensive range of digital marketing services
Google and Meta certified
Has collaborated with large brands globally, like F1 Racing, CocaCola, and the South African Tourism Board.
The budget range for this agency is high, indicating smaller brands may not be able to afford them
3
Digital Drew SEM
SEM agency in New York
Location
New York
Services
Google Ads | SEM | SEO | Social media marketing | SMM | Web development | Email marketing | White label services
Budget range
$2k - $1M
Brief overview
Digital Drew is a distinguished SEM agency based in NYC, dedicated to making digital media accessible and beneficial for businesses of all sizes. Emphasizing the simplicity and excitement of digital platforms, Digital Drew dispels the myth that digital marketing is overly complex, instead presenting it as an adaptable and engaging solution tailored to meet diverse business needs.
Why we chose Digital Drew
As a premier SEM agency, Digital Drew delivers outstanding results for clients and individuals. The agency's primary goal is to help businesses access new customer bases and strengthen connections with current and past clientele through using Google Ads and social media advertising. Leveraging platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, Digital Drew integrates digital advertising into every advertiser’s budget and business strategy, ensuring it becomes a core component of their marketing efforts.
Digital Drew offers various services to help businesses harness the power of digital marketing. These include regular client services, user-friendly guides, and personalized digital media lessons. Each option is designed to empower businesses across all industries to embrace digital marketing confidently, enhancing their operations and overall quality of life.
Industry focus
- Real estate
- Pets
- Home & garden
- Beauty
- Style & fashion
Pros and cons
Personable service from a small team
Boasts collaborations with numerous Fortune 500 companies
Offers a free onboarding consultation
You must have a domain before making use of their services
4
Zonder Marketing
SEM agency in New York
Location
New York
Services
Marketing audits | Paid social ads | SEM | SEO | CRO | Google Shopping
Budget range
$0 - $1M
Brief overview
Zonder Marketing is a forward-thinking digital marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses grow through actionable, data-driven recommendations. Recognizing the evolving landscape of digital marketing, especially with the advent of stricter privacy laws and significant changes in tracking technologies, Zonder Marketing stands out as a reliable partner in navigating these challenges and ensuring business success.
The agency's name, an intentional misspelling of “sonder,” reflects their deep understanding of the complexity and individuality of every consumer. This perspective drives Zonder Marketing to consider all possibilities and explore unseen opportunities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to digital marketing.
Why we chose Zonder Marketing
Specializing in Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Zonder Marketing uses platforms like Google, Bing, and Yahoo to target lower-funnel consumers. They develop keyword strategies to attract users most likely to convert, set up bidding strategies to maximize ROAS within budget constraints, and create multiple value propositions to determine the most effective ones through rigorous testing.
Zonder Marketing assesses all aspects of a business’s marketing efforts, identifying opportunities to optimize spending and efficiency. They ensure that tools like Google Analytics are correctly set up to provide valuable data, analyze customer metrics such as Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Lifetime Value (LTV), and Average Order Value (AOV), and conduct comprehensive channel audits to maximize Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).
Industry focus
- Electronics
- Professional services
- Health & wellness
- Style & fashion
- Social & community
- Technology
Pros and cons
Full-suite digital marketing agency with SEM specialties
Focused on revenue and leads through a proven results-oriented approach
Boasts YoY profit boosts up to 94%
No client testimonials available for review
5
Hype Feed
SEM agency in New York
Location
New York
Services
Ad creatives | Demand buying | Data sourcing | Marketing strategy | SMM | SEM | Branding
Budget range
$5k - $100k
Brief overview
HypeFeed is a pioneering digital marketing agency that leverages the fusion of marketing expertise and psychological insights to deliver exceptional consumer-centric strategies.
Founded by Marissa Dapolito, HypeFeed is dedicated to positioning brands as the top-of-mind choice within their industries by deeply understanding and catering to consumer needs.
Why we chose Hype Feed
HypeFeed is the only agency with an in-house proprietary Consumer Data Platform (CDP). This platform offers businesses unprecedented access to comprehensive first-party data, enabling them to gain invaluable insights into consumer behavior and preferences. This data-driven approach allows brands to revolutionize their consumer relationships, tailoring their marketing strategies to meet their target audience's needs and desires.
HypeFeed’s consumer-centric methodology is designed to dominate industries by ensuring brands capture and retain consumer attention within the critical first three seconds of interaction. Their holistic approach marries marketing techniques with psychological principles, ensuring that every campaign is crafted to resonate deeply with consumers.
Industry focus
- Style & fashion
- Real estate
- Health & wellness
- Nonprofit & government
- Professional services
Pros and cons
Has a strong focus on social media ads and related optimizations
Offers an in-house CDP
Boasts having worked with big brands like Speedo and Calvin Klein
Info on packages could not be obtained
6
DigiCom
SEM agency in New York
Location
New York
Services
Growth marketing | Paid media | Ad creatives | CRO | Web development | Influencer management | Email marketing | SEM
Budget range
$10k - $1M
Brief overview
DigiCom is a premier digital marketing agency renowned for its obsessive, data-driven, and results-focused approach. With a formidable track record of managing over $100 million in ad spend and generating more than $500 million in revenue, DigiCom stands as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to scale and thrive in the digital landscape.
Why we chose DigiCom
DigiCom leverages multidisciplinary strategies to unlock scalable growth for their clients. Their deep commitment to data-driven marketing ensures that every decision is backed by thorough analysis and insights, maximizing the effectiveness and ROI of their campaigns. The agency’s expertise spans across more than 20 ad platforms, allowing them to craft tailored strategies that meet the unique needs of each brand.
DigiCom offers comprehensive Search Engine Marketing (SEM) services that are pivotal to their data-driven approach, including ad spend management, cross-platform strategies, performance analysis, and creative optimization.
Industry focus
- Pets
- Education
- Health & wellness
- Beauty
- Baby
- Gaming
- Nonprofit & government
- Sports, outdoors & fitness
- Travel
- Food & drink
- Home & garden
- Style & fashion
7
ST8
SEM agency in Los Angeles
Location
Los Angeles
Services
SEM | Web design | SEO | eCommerce | Onsite optimization | Google Shopping
Budget range
$2k - $20k
Brief overview
ST8 (state) is a distinguished boutique digital marketing and design agency based in Santa Monica, CA, dedicated to delivering customized digital marketing solutions that drive business growth. Established in 2007, ST8 has grown up in the heart of the digital age, amassing extensive experience that enables them to understand and navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively.
Why we chose ST8
ST8's mission is to unlock growth for their clients through proven digital marketing solutions. By integrating strategy, design, content, and technology, ST8 crafts bespoke solutions that meet their clients' immediate needs and adapt to future market changes.
ST8’s commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of their work. From media and design to content and technology, the agency delivers the highest caliber of work at every stage of the process. Their team of award-winning strategists, designers, writers, developers, and digital media experts work efficiently to achieve outstanding results.
Industry focus
- Professional services
- Food & drink
- Technology
Pros and cons
Initial consultation is free of charge
Strong track record of services and achievements dating back to 2007
Features different packages of bundled services
Has worked with large names like FILA and CBS
Lacks service offerings like branding and ad creatives
8
WebTmize
SEM agency in Montreal
Location
Montreal
Services
Paid search | SEM | SEO | Social media marketing | Email marketing | Web development | Programmatic ads | Data science
Budget range
$0 - $1M+
Brief overview
WebTmize is a Montreal-based marketing agency that specializes in serving SaaS and e-commerce companies. Known for their hands-on, data-oriented approach, WebTmize is dedicated to helping businesses maximize their online potential. With a team of over 20 marketing experts, WebTmize is an extension of their clients' teams, providing tailored strategies that drive growth and achieve specific marketing goals.
Why we chose WebTmize
WebTmize’s approach is rooted in data analysis and performance metrics. By meticulously tracking and analyzing data, the agency ensures that every marketing decision is informed and effective. This data-oriented mindset allows WebTmize to fine-tune campaigns in real-time, maximizing effectiveness and delivering exceptional results for their clients.
As a leading Canadian digital marketing agency and a Google's International Growth Program member, WebTmize offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to enhance digital presence and performance. Their expertise includes search engine marketing (SEM), where they manage paid search campaigns to increase visibility and drive targeted traffic to websites. They also specialize in paid search, utilizing platforms like Google Ads to optimize advertising spend and ensure maximum return on investment. In addition, WebTmize implements search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve organic search rankings and drive long-term traffic growth.
Industry focus
- Baby
- Beauty
- Education
- Food & drink
- Finance
- Health & wellness
- Home & garden
- Professional services
- Real estate
- Sports, outdoors & fitness
- Style & fashion
- Technology
- Travel
Pros and cons
Offers a free onboarding consultation
Award-winning digital marketing agency
Partnered with major ad platforms like Meta, Google, and Shopify
Boasts $40m in ad spend managed the previous year
Pricing info is not available
9
KAMG
SEM agency in London
Location
London
Services
eCommerce | SEM | PPC | Google Ads | Email marketing | CRM | CRO
Budget range
$0 - $100k
Brief overview
KAMG is a distinguished digital marketing agency specializing in eCommerce, boasting over 35 years of combined experience in the industry. Recognized for their flawless work and innovative strategies, KAMG has consistently delivered outstanding results for their clients.
Why we chose KAMG
Unlike many agencies that make big promises but fail to deliver, KAMG prides itself on proving their worth through action. Their focus on effective design, engaging copy, and strategic execution ensures that clients not only attract new users but also convert them into loyal customers.
KAMG's success is evidenced by significant achievements, such as generating over $1.2 million in revenue via email alone over two years and driving 81,000 unique visitors to a client’s site in just one year. This level of performance underscores KAMG's ability to dominate markets, with clients listing over 2,300 organic keywords on Google.
Industry focus
- Style & fashion
- Health & wellness
- Technology
- Electronics
- Art & entertainment
- Finance
- Real estate
- Professional services
- Sports, outdoors & fitness
- Social & community
Pros and cons
Strong focus on eCommerce
Boasts over $3 million in revenue generated in one year
Large team of diverse experts
Their main service offerings are PPC, SEO and email marketing, so other needs may need to be found elsewhere
10
Growth Spin Limited
SEM agency in London
Location
London
Services
SEM | Growth marketing | Paid ads | Paid search | Social media marketing | Product development | UI/UX development
Budget range
$5k - $100k
Brief overview
Growth Spin is a growth marketing studio based in London, dedicated to partnering with some of the fastest-growing D2C and B2B brands. Led by experienced growth marketer Neha Divanji, Growth Spin offers a unique blend of strategy and execution, functioning as an outsourced 'in-house' growth marketing team.
Why we chose Growth Spin
Growth Spin’s innovative model allows businesses to benefit from the expertise and dedication of an in-house team without the overhead. This approach ensures you receive comprehensive, hands-on support tailored to your needs and goals. With a proven track record of success with leading D2C and B2B brands, Growth Spin is your trusted partner in achieving sustained growth and market success.
Industry focus
- Real estate
- Finance
- Technology
- Home & garden
- Food & drink
- Education
Pros and cons
70+ years combined experience in their marketing team
Growth-focused marketing guidelines
Strong portfolio of achievements and testimonials
Lacks transparent info about onboarding and pricing
What does an SEM agency do?
An SEM agency is a digital marketing company specializing in developing and executing search engine marketing strategies for clients like yourself. These agencies focus mainly on two key areas, namely:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): This involves optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in the organic (non-paid) search results for relevant keywords.
- Paid Search Advertising: This involves running paid ads on search engines, usually through platforms like Google Ads, to have your website appear at the top of the search results for specific keywords.
Here are some of the key services you can typically expect from an SEM agency:
Keyword research
SEM agencies conduct thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant and high-traffic keywords for your business. They use advanced tools and techniques to analyze search volumes, competition levels, and potential returns for different keyword targets.
SEO services
To improve your website's organic search rankings, an SEM agency may offer the following search engine optimization (SEO) services:
- On-page optimization (optimizing content, titles, meta descriptions, etc.)
- Technical SEO audits and fixes (improving site speed, mobile-friendliness, etc.)
- Link building (acquiring high-quality backlinks from other websites)
- Content creation (developing SEO-friendly blog posts, landing pages, etc.)
Paid search advertising
SEM agencies can manage your paid search advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads. This involves:
- Keyword selection and bid management
- Ad copywriting and creation
- Campaign setup and optimization
- Conversion tracking and reporting
Analytics and reporting
Good SEM agencies provide detailed reports and analytics to track the performance of your SEO and paid search efforts. This data-driven approach allows them to optimize and improve your search marketing ROI continually.
They use marketing analytics tools to create, monitor, and optimize your ads and ensure your ad spend isn't wasted.
In a nutshell
An SEM agency is a partner that can comprehensively manage and maximize your online visibility through strategic search engine marketing.
How to choose the best agency for your business
The best way to hire an SEM consultant or agency is through Mayple. We have a community of 600+ vetted experts and agencies with proven experience and results driving revenue for similar brands in your niche.
You don't need to spend hours and hours listening to sales pitches, looking through candidates, and verifying the authenticity of their reviews. With Mayple, you get a short list of hand-picked experts who check all the right boxes and can actually scale your business.
Before starting the hiring process, consider some key things to ensure you know exactly what your business needs. Mayple will help you with this, but getting an idea of what you’re looking for before starting the process is useful.
Here are some key considerations:
- Clearly define your SEM goals—are you focused on increasing organic traffic through SEO, driving more leads/sales from paid ads, or a combination? Specific, measurable goals will help you find an agency that aligns with your objectives.
- Look for an agency with proven experience in your industry vertical and with businesses similar in size/scope to yours.
- Ensure the agency offers the specific SEM services you need, such as technical SEO, content marketing, paid search management, etc.
- Understand the agency's overall SEO and SEM strategies and philosophies. Their approach should align with best practices and your brand values.
- Evaluate reporting frequency, metrics tracked, and whether their communication style/availability suits your preferences.
- Define your budget and timeline for hiring an SEM specialist or consulting services. This allows effective budgeting and risk management for your SEM needs.
- The tools and technology platforms the agency uses for tasks like keyword research, rank tracking, PPC advertising, etc., can greatly impact their capabilities. Are you looking to take over once your needs are met and use these tools yourself?
- Decide whether you want a long-term strategic partnership with an expert or short-term project-based support.
FAQs
What does SEM stand for?
SEM stands for search engine marketing. Like search engine optimization (SEO), SEM helps brands improve their content's ranking by search engines. SEM places paid ads within search results on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.
What is an SEM program?
Search engine marketing (SEM) is a digital marketing tactic used to increase the visibility of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs), such as the list of results on a Google search page.
Is SEM paid search?
SEM (search engine marketing) is also known as Paid Ads, Paid Search, or PPC (pay-per-click). Marketing experts or businesses pay to have their ads appear in search results, like when you Google something. Google marks these ads with an “AD” image beside the link.
Why is SEM important?
SEM helps brands promote their products in search results. The higher a brand's ads appear on those search engine results pages (SERPs), the more likely their ads are to be seen by potential customers.
Hire an SEM agency with data-backed results
Finding the right SEM agency can be tiresome, and that's where Mayple steps in, offering a smart solution by connecting you with proven SEM pros. Their dedication to improving your ROAS and increasing your ROI lands them the title of SEM experts with us.
Need to boost your SEM game? Well, then, SEM Booster is your best bet. It's literally in their name. Have a large-scale marketing campaign coming up? The Online Lab is perfect for high-budget, high-return search engine marketing. Want a more personal level of service for a smaller brand? Digital Drew SEM is your go-to agency.
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!
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