7 Best Affordable SEO Agencies for Startups: Expert Picks

December 18, 2024
| Maria Harutyunyan
| 10 min read
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Startups face unique challenges in establishing their presence and gaining visibility in a crowded market. These challenges include limited resources and budget, a new website with little to no content, and minimal traffic. Additionally, they may struggle with brand recognition and competition from established players. SEO can help startups overcome these obstacles by improving their website's visibility in search engine results, attracting more organic traffic, and building credibility. By targeting the right keywords, creating high-quality content, and optimizing their website's structure and performance, startups can increase their online presence and reach potential customers more effectively.
Expert SEO agencies can be the secret weapon for boosting brand awareness and fueling business growth.

Forget hours of research! We've filtered over 30 SEO agencies and handpicked the 7 best options, saving you valuable time finding the best brand partner. You’ll find the perfect SEO partner for your startup’s requirements and budget in our curated list.

Best SEO Agencies for Startups

  • Loopex Digital
  • Fortunatos
  • NinjaPromo
  • Rise - Growth Marketing Collective
  • Salski Growth
  • Markitors
  • SureOak
  • LinkGraph

How This Ranking Was Created

To guarantee our list meets the highest standards of quality and reliability, we employed a thorough selection process, filtering 30 companies from Clutch.

  • Hourly Price Range: SEO services for startups can vary in cost. Based on information from Clutch, our selection focused on agencies offering budget-friendly rates within two price ranges: $25-$49 and $50-$99 per hour. For startups with more flexibility in their budget, we also considered SEO companies with an average hourly rate of $100-$149. Despite these affordable rates, we ensured that the quality of service remained high, demonstrating that effective SEO solutions can be both accessible and impactful for startups.
  • Customer Satisfaction: We prioritized agencies with a strong track record of customer satisfaction. Only those with at least 30 positive reviews were considered, ensuring consistent service quality.
  • Clutch Rating: We included only agencies with a Clutch rating of 4.7 or higher, reflecting their excellence in the field.
  • Proven SEO Results for Startups: We looked for agencies with documented success in helping startups grow. Case studies showcasing tangible SEO results were a crucial factor in our evaluation.
  • Customized Strategies for Startups: We looked for agencies that offer customized SEO strategies specifically designed for startups. This ensures that new businesses' unique needs and challenges are effectively addressed.

Our list is based on unbiased, thorough research, free from sponsorship influence. We reviewed each agency, focusing on their online presence, client feedback, and industry rankings. We also evaluated their commitment to client success and industry contribution. This ensures the agencies we recommend are SEO leaders and invested in driving startup growth. We aim to provide a trusted guide for startups to find the right SEO partner.

7 Best SEO Agencies for Startup Success

Discover the 7 best SEO agencies for startups to help your new business succeed online. These agencies offer customized solutions to meet your startup's unique needs, from boosting search rankings to driving growth.

COMPANY REVIEW SCORE ON CLUTCH TOTAL REVIEWS PRICING/HR STANDOUT SERVICES PROVEN SEO RESULTS FOR STARTUPS CUSTOMIZED STRATEGIES FOR STARTUPS
LOOPEX DIGITAL 5 34 $25 - $49 On-site SEO, Off-site SEO, Technical SEO Check Check
FORTUNATOS 5 21 $25 - $49 Technical SEO, On-page SEO, Linkbuilding Check Check
NINJAPROMO.IO 4.8 34 $50 - $99 On-site SEO, Off-site SEO, Technical SEO Check Check
RISE-GROWTH MARKETING COLLECTIVE 4.9 6 $50 - $99 On-site SEO, Technical SEO, Offsite SEO, Content Writing Check Check
MARKITORS 4.9 27 $100 - $149 On-site SEO, Technical SEO Check Check
SUREOAK 5 29 $100 - $149 On-site SEO, Design Check Check
LINKGRAPH 4.9 94 $100 - $149 On-site SEO, Off-site SEO, Technical SEO Check Check
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Loopex Digital

Loopex Digital SEO for startups

Loopex Digital is one of the top affordable SEO companies that drives business growth through improved Google rankings. The company prioritizes traffic increases and ensures high conversions and ROI. Their strategy centers on securing top Google rankings, understanding that this leads to significant traffic and revenue growth for their clients.

Price Range: $25 - $49/hr

Dedicated Service Page: SEO for Startups

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • Newsjacking in Gaming: Secured 20+ backlinks from top gaming sites with $0 spent by tracking donations to Ukraine and engaging gaming journalists.
  • Content Silo Strategy for SaaS: Boosted traffic to 5.6K+ with 5 pages by reorganizing site structure and internal linking, ranking 3rd for a key keyword.
  • Topical Domino Strategy for eCommerce: Increased organic users by 111.94% and transactions by 102.70% with interconnected "Eyebrow Shapes" content and strategic internal linking.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: Loopex Digital crafts customized SEO strategies for startups, leveraging innovative approaches to provide a competitive edge and sustainable growth in the digital landscape.

Top Clients: Shopify, Oberlo, Athemes

Reviews: 5 stars from 34 reviews on Clutch

Services Provided: Local SEO, International SEO, On-site SEO, Technical SEO, Ecommerce SEO, SEO Consulting, Digital PR, Link Building, White Label Link Building

Industries: SEO for Startups, E-commerce SEO, Small Business SEO, SEO for Photographers, SEO for Family Law, SEO for Dentists,

Why Startups Should Choose Loopex Digital?

  • Loopex Digital creates content that attracts strong backlinks for startups by keeping up with industry trends and news.
  • Their use of content silos and topical domino strategies shows they understand advanced SEO tactics for startups.
  • The significant increases in traffic and transactions in these case studies prove Loopex Digital's ability to deliver tangible results for startups.

Fortunatos

Fortunatos marketing for startups

Fortunatos positions itself as more than just a digital marketing agency; it's an in-house powerhouse dedicated to driving business growth and success, especially startups. 

Fortunatos emphasizes performance marketing and KPI-oriented results, steering clear of the typical agency fluff. This approach is particularly beneficial for startups, where every marketing dollar counts and needs to be justified by measurable outcomes. Their focus on data and research-backed strategies ensures startups can expect visibility and tangible sales boosts. Here's a detailed analysis of what makes Fortunatos stand out for startups:

Price Range: $25 - $49/hr

Dedicated Service Page: Marketing for Startups

Proven SEO Results for Startup: For startups, Fortunatos showcased their expertise through a notable case study:

  • Fintech Startup: Focused on helping users find the best market prices and deals. The main channel for growth was SEO, targeting Tier 1 European countries.
  • Challenge: The goal was to increase organic traffic by at least 5% per month and improve conversion rates to 3%+.
  • Results: Achieved a 12% average increase in organic traffic over a year and a conversion rate improvement to 3.2%, with total organic traffic surpassing 3.5 million.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: Fortunatos delivers customized growth marketing for startups using innovative, budget-friendly strategies. Their team designs solutions that meet unique startup needs for effective scaling.

Key SEO Services: Technical SEO, On-page SEO, Link building, SEO Audit

Industries: Startups, E-commerce, SaaS, Cryptocurrency, B2B, Fintech

Top Clients: pure.app, woodpec studio, Finetech startup, quantumsoft, 

Reviews: 5 stars from 21 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: SEO, Paid Search Advertising, Native Ads, SMM, Media Buying, Amazon Marketing, Marketing for startups, Analytics, e-commerce marketing

Why Startups Should Choose Fortunatos?

  • Custom strategies tailored to startup growth
  • Comprehensive services that cover a wide range of digital marketing needs
  • Proven success in delivering measurable results
  • Commitment to transparency and effective communication

NinjaPromo.io

NinjaPromo.io SEO agency for startups

NinjaPromo positions itself as a full-service digital marketing agency with a strong focus on serving startups, among other sectors like crypto, B2B, software, and fintech. Their approach to digital marketing for startups is comprehensive, aiming to transform new businesses from mere ideas into success stories. Here's an analysis of why startups, in particular, might choose NinjaPromo for their SEO and broader digital marketing needs:

Price Range: $50 - $99/hr.

Dedicated Service Page: Startup Digital Marketing

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • DeFi Educational Portal: NinjaPromo's strategies led to a 210% sales increase, enhancing brand messaging and marketing execution.
  • Medical Technology Company: Achieved a 300% boost in engagement and 120 leads in one month, showcasing NinjaPromo's expertise in social media and content marketing.
  • Private Investment Firm: NinjaPromo's adaptability and strategic planning in the competitive crypto market highlight their ability to meet demanding deadlines and achieve project goals.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: NinjaPromo's approach is highly customized, considering each startup's unique market position, goals, and challenges. This bespoke strategy ensures that startups achieve short-term goals and are positioned for sustainable long-term growth.

Key SEO Services: On-site SEO, Link Building, SEO Audit, Local SEO, Technical SEO

Industries: SEO for Startups & Small Businesses, Crypto SEO, Fintech SEO, E-commerce SEO

Top Clients: Ultron Foundation, Innowise, Unity Network

Reviews: 4.8 stars from 34 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: SMM, Google Ads, PR & Outreach, Influencer Marketing, Video Marketing, Lead Generation, Branding, Content Marketing

Why Startups Should Choose NinjaPromo?

  • NinjaPromo understands the dynamics of startup growth, offering effective and budget-conscious strategies.
  • Their track record with startups demonstrates their ability to significantly improve SEO outcomes and digital marketing performance.
  • NinjaPromo's experience across key startup sectors enables them to apply best practices and innovative strategies tailored to each industry.

Rise - Growth Marketing Collective

Rise-Growth Marketing Collective agency for startups

Rise Marketing is a hybrid between a traditional growth marketing agency and a network of freelance specialists, focusing on providing transparent, flexible growth marketing services for startups and SMBs. Their approach combines the strategic oversight and execution capabilities of an agency with the agility and specialized skills of freelancers. Here's an analysis based on their general offerings and specific SEO services, highlighting why they could be a good fit for startups.

Price Range: $50 - $99/hr.

Dedicated Service Page: Search Engine Optimization

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • Yogaia: Managed a €1.7M budget and team to implement a performance marketing strategy, resulting in significant user base and engagement growth.
  • Midrive: Achieved 10-18% monthly growth in new users and revenue through cross-channel user acquisition and go-to-market launch for their insurance app.
  • Doddl: Rise Marketing propelled Doddl to 80% growth during the early months of the 2020 pandemic through performance marketing and SEO.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: Rise Marketing offers flexible and adaptable services, customizing strategies to meet the evolving needs of startups essential for those requiring quick pivots or adjustments based on growth and feedback.

Key SEO Services: SEO Strategy, SEO Audit, Content Writing, Technical SEO, Off-page SEO

Industries: Startups, SaaS, eCommerce, Health & Wellness

Top Clients: Stream Locator, Tryb, CLS Money - mortgage brokerage

Reviews: 4.9 stars from 6 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: Affiliate Marketing, CRO, PPC, Growth Marketing Consultant

Why Startups Should Choose the Rise Growth Marketing?

  • The case studies highlight Rise Marketing's ability to scale marketing efforts in line with startup growth trajectories, which is crucial for businesses looking to expand rapidly.
  • Combining the strategic oversight of an agency with the specialized skills of freelancers offers startups a flexible and cost-effective solution for their SEO needs.
  • Their use of AI tools for SEO suggests a forward-thinking approach to content creation and optimization.

Markitors

Markitor SEO agency for startups

Markitors positions itself as a leading SEO marketing agency for small businesses, emphasizing a strong connection between small businesses and their customers through effective digital marketing strategies. Their approach to SEO is particularly tailored to meet the unique needs of startups, focusing on building a robust online presence and enhancing brand awareness through strategic SEO practices.

Price Range: $100 - $149/hr.

Dedicated Service Page: Startup SEO

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • Y Scouts: Markitors boosted monthly organic visits from 0 to 75,000, positioning them as a top executive search firm.
  • Software Startup: Increased domain authority from 0 to 25 in a year, boosting organic traffic to 750 monthly visits and improving keyword rankings.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: Markitors offers tailored, data-driven SEO services for startups, focusing on goal alignment, solid SEO foundation, and strategies like backlink building and keyword-driven content to boost search rankings and organic traffic.

Key SEO Services: SEO for Startups, Local SEO, Technical SEO, On-Page SEO, Small Business SEO, WordPress SEO

Industries: Startups, Ecommerce, Healthcare, Educational, Law, Franchise, Plumber, Nonprofit, Hotels, Finance, SaaS, Staffing Agency, Dental, Printing, Consulting, Food & Beverage Companies, Real Estate

Top Clients: Qwick, YScouts, 

Reviews: 4.9 stars from 27 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: Digital PR, Content Marketing, Lead Generations

Why Startups Should Choose the Markitors?

  • Demonstrated success in significantly increasing organic traffic and domain authority for startups.
  • Expertise in quickly enhancing online visibility for startups in competitive markets.
  • Focus on long-term SEO strategies that ensure lasting success and online presence.
  • Tailored strategies that align with each startup's unique goals and challenges.

SureOak

SureOak SEO agency for startups

Sure Oak is a top choice for startups, providing customized SEO plans, a wide range of services, and a history of success in many fields. This summary explains why Sure Oak is the go-to SEO agency for startups looking to master online search challenges and gain an advantage in their markets.

Price Range: $100 - $149/hr.

Dedicated Service Page: SEO for Startups

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • Bivvy: Achieved a 773% increase in organic traffic by building a comprehensive backlink profile, emphasizing high-authority pages and targeted blog content.
  • Maptive: Doubled organic traffic with a holistic SEO strategy, addressing algorithm challenges through advanced keyword research, on-page optimizations, and content planning.
  • Mattress Nerd: Grew organic traffic by 243% with a strategic mix of scholarship and contextual link building, significantly improving domain authority and keyword performance.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: Sure Oak crafts customized SEO strategies for startups, considering their unique goals, industry trends, and competitive landscape. This personalized approach ensures solutions align with each startup's business objectives and market needs.

Key SEO Services: On-page SEO, Link building, Technical SEO, SEO Strategy Consulting, 

Industries: Startups, Small Business, Ecommerce, SaaS, Education, Telecom, Local, B2B, Insurance, Fintech, Dental, CPG

Top Clients: Bivvy, AdvancePoint Capital, Maptive, Mattress Nerd

Reviews: 5 stars from 29 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: Content Marketing, Lead Generation

Why Startups Should Choose the SureOak?

  • Tailored strategies and a comprehensive suite of services designed for the unique needs of startups.
  • A proven track record of success across various industries, emphasizing long-term growth and competitive edge in organic search.
  • Strategic thinking, expert services, and a commitment to understanding and achieving a startup's business goals.

LinkGraph

LinkGraph SEO agency for startups

LinkGraph is a leading SEO and digital marketing agency that outsources link building, content creation, and technical SEO services. Specializing in boosting organic search visibility and driving traffic, LinkGraph offers tailored solutions that help businesses, from startups to established companies, achieve sustainable growth and market dominance.

Price Range: $100 - $149/hr.

Dedicated Service Page: Startup SEO Services

Proven SEO Results for Startup: 

  • Ecommerce SEO Boost: Achieved a 150% rise in keyword rankings and a 198% boost in clicks by fixing technical issues, optimizing 34 articles, and securing 14 quality backlinks.
  • Luxury Interior SEO Growth: Initiated a targeted link-building campaign, gaining 211 backlinks with high Domain Authority, leading to significant organic traffic increases and improved keyword rankings in just 2-3 months.
  • Laser Hair Removal Local SEO Success: Improved mobile speed to pass Core Web Vitals, resulting in a 560% traffic increase and a 3979% rise in impressions, alongside 27 industry-specific backlinks enhancing local search visibility.

Tailored Strategies for Startups: LinkGraph offers targeted SEO services for startups to drive growth and enhance online visibility, tailoring strategies to optimize digital presence and increase industry visibility, supporting market share gain and funding attraction.

Key SEO Services: On-page SEO, Link building, SEO Audit, Technical SEO, Local SEO, YouTube SEO, Managed SEO, White Labeled SEO, SEO Reputation Management, International SEO

Industries: Startups, Ecommerce, SaaS, Dentists, Law firms, Big Commerce, Doctors, International SEO, Local SEO, Enterprise

Top Clients: Zynga, Shutterfly, Procter & Gamble, Verkada, and Vendasta

Reviews: 4.9 stars from 94 reviews on Clutch

Additional Marketing Services Provided: Google Ads, Amazon Ads, Content strategy, CRO, Infographic Design, PPC, PR

Why Startups Should Choose the LinkGraph?

  • Proven track record of helping startups secure market share and attract funding.
  • LinkGraph's organic SEO strategies offer a sustainable price point, allowing startups to scale visibility without the high costs of paid search advertising.
  • Recognition from industry-leading awards highlights LinkGraph's SEO and digital marketing excellence.

How to Choose the Best SEO Agencies for Startups

Choosing the best SEO agency for your startup is crucial for your online success. Here are some key factors to consider:

  • Understand Your SEO Needs: Clearly define your SEO goals and objectives. Are you looking to increase organic traffic, improve search engine rankings, or enhance your website's overall SEO performance?
  • Research and Shortlist Agencies: Look for agencies with experience working with startups. Check their portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials to gauge their expertise and success in similar projects.
  • Check for Budget Compatibility: Determine your SEO budget and ensure the agency's pricing aligns with it. Remember, the cheapest option may not always be the best regarding quality and results.
  • Evaluate Their SEO Strategies: Ask potential agencies about their approach to SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation. Ensure their strategies align with your business goals.
  • Look for Flexibility and Scalability: Your SEO needs may change as your startup grows. Choose an agency that can adapt and scale its services to match your evolving requirements.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select an SEO agency that meets your startup's needs and contributes to its long-term success.

FAQs

1. Why Do Startups Need SEO Services?

Startups often need SEO services to establish a strong online presence, attract targeted traffic, and compete effectively in their industry. SEO can be crucial for startups to gain visibility among potential customers and grow their business.

2. What Should Startups Look for in an SEO Agency?

Startups should look for agencies with a proven track record, expertise in their industry, transparency in communication, and a data-driven approach. Finding an agency that aligns with the startup's culture and values is also important.

4. How Much Do SEO Services Cost for Startups?

The cost of SEO services varies depending on the agency, the scope of services, and the startup's specific needs. Some agencies offer packages tailored to startups, which can be cost-effective.

5. How Long Does It Take to See Results from SEO?

SEO is a long-term strategy. While some improvements can be seen in a few months, it typically takes six months to a year to see significant results. Consistency and adaptation to changing search engine algorithms are key.

Maria Harutyunyan

Our blog covers a combination of industry trends and professional insights from behind-the-scenes experiences. We provide weekly updates on link building, content marketing, on-site and technical SEO, and more! Sign up for our newsletter and join our LinkedIn to be on top of industry trends!

Maria Harutyunyan
Our blog covers a combination of industry trends and professional insights from behind-the-scenes experiences dealing with every aspect of SEO. We provide weekly updates on topics such as link building, content marketing, on-site and technical SEO and more! Don’t miss any industry updates by signing up for our newsletter! You’ll also receive exclusive SEO strategies and learn about industry secrets like:

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