8 SaaS Startup SEO Agencies and Consultants That Actually Drive Revenue (Not Just Rankings) in 2025

Most startup founders have been burned by SEO promises before.

You pour precious runway dollars into SEO, only to get vanity metrics that look impressive but don’t drive revenue.

I’ve seen it countless times; agencies celebrating traffic while your pipeline stalls.

Or worse, locking you into long-term contracts with little to show after six months.

The truth? Most SEO companies simply aren’t built for the unique challenges startups face.

They don’t understand your funding pressure, tight runways, or need for quick validation.

But there are exceptions.

This list features eight SEO partners who understand exactly what startups need:

• Quick wins that prove their value within weeks, not months
• Pricing models that work for pre-Series A companies
• Strategies focused on metrics investors actually care about
• Hands-on experts who become an extension of your lean team

No more wasted months or burned budget on approaches that don’t deliver.

These are the partners I’d trust with my own startup’s growth engine.

Best 8 Startup SEO Companies You Should Consider

1. Taylor Scher Consulting (Best for growth stage B2B SaaS startups)

I’m an independent SEO consultant with over five years of experience helping early-stage startups build SEO strategies that drive real growth.

I’ve worked with SaaS, tech, legal, and retail companies at every stage and funding level.

Every engagement has the same focus: building SEO strategies that drive conversions at the lowest possible acquisition cost.

I’m not here to pad vanity metrics like traffic or rankings, or hand you a dashboard full of meaningless numbers.

Every SEO strategy is:

• Custom-built for your product and ICP
• Designed and executed by me
• Centered around clear and consistent communication
• Focused on short-term wins and long-term scalability

We’ll meet weekly to review progress, clear bottlenecks, and adjust strategy as needed.

I’m also available to answer questions through Slack, Teams, or other async platforms.

You’ll always know what’s happening, why it matters, and how it connects to growth and revenue.

Think of me less as a vendor and more as a growth partner dedicated to scaling your startup.

I only work with clients where there’s a clear fit on both sides.

Meaning, we align on your goals, your product, and how we’ll work together.

If it’s not a match, I’ll let you know upfront.

My services are best for early-stage SaaS and tech startups looking for a hands-on SEO strategist who can integrate seamlessly with their team.

Core Services

• SEO Audits
• SEO Consulting
• Fractional SEO Services
• Content Creation
• Link Building

2. Mike Khorev

Mike Khorev is a well-known SEO consultant with more than a decade of experience working with SaaS and tech companies.

He’s partnered with teams like BuildFire and Time Doctor and has built a strong reputation for driving meaningful organic growth.

His own site generates over 30,000 organic clicks every month.

That alone shows he understands how to build and scale organic channels in competitive industries.

He can do the same for your startup.

Mike’s approach centers on data.

He takes the time to:

• Understand your ICP
• Analyze how buyers search
• Identify the content and technical gaps holding back growth.

From there, he builds an organic strategy that blends technical SEO, content marketing, SEO consulting, and link building.

Every recommendation ties back to measurable outcomes, not vanity metrics.

He’s a strong fit for SaaS startups that want a hands-on, data-driven expert who ties customer behavior directly to the SEO strategy.

Client Testimonials

“Mike is one of the most knowledgeable SEOs I’ve worked with. His strategies are always up-to-date and ROI-focused.” — Paul

“Mike worked closely with our team to improve our SEO across multiple brands, resulting in consistent first-page rankings.” — Michael

3. Sure Oak

Sure Oak is a full-service SEO agency that focuses on long-term, scalable growth for SaaS, financial, eCom, and other B2B companies.

They’ve been operating since 2009 and have deep experience in technical SEO, content optimization, and link building.

Their team handles everything from audits and on-page improvements to content production, digital PR, and ongoing authority building.

They also offer paid media and CRO support, which helps unify SEO with PPC, landing page optimization, and other demand channels.

Their case studies include strong wins for funded teams.

• One SaaS client saw a 44% lift in inbound leads.
• An eCommerce brand recorded a 91% jump in referral sales.
• And a B2B company achieved a 35% increase in revenue from organic search.

They also have experience with brands like EventMobi and Wendell Estate Honey.

Both saw steady improvements in organic visibility and long-term authority.

What I like about Sure Oak is that they don’t treat link building as a bolt-on service.

It’s integrated into their broader strategy and aligned with the pages that drive leads, revenue, and long-term authority.

Sure Oak is a strong fit for funded startups that want a full-service SEO partner with experience across technical SEO, content, CRO, and high-quality link acquisition.

Client Testimonials

“SureOak proved to be excellent partners in optimising our SEO. They began with an in-depth site review, offering bespoke recommendations that our web developer could readily implement, ensuring targeted improvements. Additionally, they set us up on GA4, allowing us to effectively track key events and performance metrics. From the initial meeting through onboarding and final handovers, every team member we worked with made their recommendations clear and easy to follow, always ready to explain further or offer additional help if needed.” — Sophie Macpherson

“If your looking to grow your business with SEO and PPC look no further. They get their clients on the first page in map with organic presence with their skilled SEO strategy .A smaller company gives you the personal attention you need with experienced staff who have been with the company for years. .You can find their clients with PPC on top with ads including LSA ads.” — Flora Stuart

4. Markitors

Markitors is a full-service SEO agency built for small businesses and early-stage teams.

They focus on foundational SEO work that helps lean companies establish search visibility without large retainers.

Their services include technical SEO, keyword research, content marketing, copywriting, local SEO, and digital PR.

Most of their experience is in industries like education, healthcare, and advertising.

Those sectors lean heavily on trust, local visibility, and consistent content. All areas Markitors knows well.

For early-stage SaaS founders, the appeal is the pricing model.

With hourly rates between $100–$149, they’re accessible if you need audits, early content direction, or technical cleanup before committing to a large, ongoing engagement.

Markitors is a fit for bootstrapped or lightly funded teams that need reliable, cost-effective SEO support to build a foundation for growth.

Client Testimonials

“They’ve been great at meeting and often exceeding deadlines. We’ve mostly communicated via email (which works best for me). They are always quick to respond and implement changes. They’ve also been fantastic and helping me better understand this SEO world” — Micheal Thompson

“We had experience with two previous SEO firms so we knew what we didn’t want. We were pretty frustrated that we could not seem to move the needle on SEO. Markitors was able to address our needs by talking us through the steps that they take. Their responses were detailed and credible and demonstrated an understanding of why our previous efforts did not work.” — Dan Reck

5. Panem

Panem is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Lviv, Ukraine, with a strong focus on SEO and PPC for growing teams across the US and Europe.

Their SEO work is rooted in technical depth, which explains their experience in SaaS, IT, finance, and other high-competition, technical industries.

They:

• Run full audits
• Tighten site architecture
• Research target keywords
• Strengthen domain authority through content and link acquisition.

Panem also manages PPC across Google, YouTube, and social platforms.

That way, you can test channels quickly and scale campaigns that actually drive signups.

One thing that stands out is their approach to execution.

They don’t use templates or prebuilt “SEO packages.”

Every engagement is built around the client’s industry and specific goals.

Whether that’s trials, demos, signups, or qualified pipeline.

Early-stage teams trust them to deliver results on tight budgets and tie efforts back to revenue.

With packages starting at $1,000/month, they’re built for lean teams.

Panem is a good fit for startups that want an affordable, involved partner who can manage both organic and paid growth in one place.

Client Testimonials

“Thanks to Panem Agency's efforts, the client has seen a tenfold increase in website traffic. The team strictly adheres to the project's timelines, and internal stakeholders are impressed with the service provider's vast technical expertise.” — Vasyl

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“Panem Agency’s work has led to a significant increase in conversion rate. They have communicated frequently and responded promptly via Google Meet and Telegram, ensuring an effective workflow. They are communicative, experienced, and knowledgeable.” — Volodymyr

6. Smash Digital

Smash Digital isn’t your typical SEO agency.

They’re operators first.

They’ve built and scaled more than a dozen of their own brands using SEO, and they bring those same systems into client work.

When an agency runs its own portfolio at that scale, you can usually trust their playbooks.

Their biggest strength is link building.

They specialize in securing editorial links on sites your competitors can’t access.

In the last year alone, they built over 4,500 backlinks with an average DR of 68.

That tells you they prioritize quality and authority, not cheap volume.

Their fully managed SEO programs cover:

• Keyword research
• Audits
• Content recommendations
• Broader strategy

But links are where they really separate themselves.

Smash Digital has worked across SaaS, ecommerce, medical, and content-heavy businesses.

And unlike most agencies, they don’t take on every client that reaches out.

If they don’t see a path to the results you deserve, they tell you early.

Smash Digital is a strong fit for startups that want a no-fluff partner who knows what it takes to make SaaS work and how to secure the best backlinks.

Client Testimonial

“Highly recommend the Smash Digital team. Everyone there is an SEO expert and sincerely cares about the success of our site. They were able to help us fix about two years of SEO mistakes and set us on a good path forward. Their resources and suggestions have trained some of our team members and made us all knowledgeable about SEO.” — Alex

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“Awesome SEO teardown and review of my site from Smash Digital. Hugely detailed, covered a really broad range of topics from site setup, key words I should focus on, and technical SEO fundamentals. Tons of actionable steps I can take and clearly lots of opportunity to get huge benefit from focusing more on SEO and working with Smash Digital.” — Noel

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7. Boostability

Boostability is an SEO agency focused on helping small and mid-sized businesses build sustainable organic visibility.

They’ve been doing this for more than 15 years, lean heavily on process, consistency, and clear execution as their fundamentals.

Their proprietary LaunchPad platform tracks over 7 million keywords monthly.

It provides real-time data to show exactly how SEO impacts growth.

It’s practical, straightforward reporting that early-stage teams often don’t have.

Their work centers on foundational SEO: 

• Keyword research
• Content writing
• Authority link building
• Technical fixes
• Local optimization

It’s the type of work lean SaaS teams need but rarely have time to manage themselves.

Boostability also supports agencies through white-label partnerships, but startups can work directly with them for hands-on execution.

Boostability is a fit for early-stage teams that want reliable, cost-effective SEO support built on proven processes and data.

Client Testimonials

“Boostability's work has paid for itself many times over with a 75% increase in website traffic. Cooperative and experienced, the team delivers regular performance updates and is eager to assist.” — Sheri

“Boostability took the website from page 100 in search results to page 1. They were responsive and helpful, delivering regular performance reports and providing maintenance to keep the website optimized.” — Anonymous

8. Smartsites

SmartSites is a full-service digital agency that helps startups grow through SEO, PPC, and conversion-focused web design.

They’ve been around since 2011, earning more than 1,000 five-star reviews for their revenue-focused marketing strategies.

And it’s not hard to see why.

Many clients see their organic traffic double or more within six months.

Clients have also seen results like a 500% traffic increase and 6x PPC ROAS.

Their team blends technical SEO, targeted content, and ongoing optimization to build sustainable visibility.

They pair that with paid acquisition and high-performing web design, giving startups a single partner for both traffic and the website experience behind it.

SmartSites is a strong fit for startups that want a jumpstart with coordinated SEO, PPC, and design support under one roof.

Client Testimonials

“Very pleased with the level of service and the results we’ve received to date. We did our homework researching different vendors for PPC before deciding on SmartSites. They won us over first on knowledge and then on price. I highly recommend SmartSites for PPC & SEO.” — Brian

“Every member of the SmartSites team has been terrific. I’ve worked mostly with Connor and Ziv and they have both been responsive, diligent, knowledgeable, attentive to changing needs, and flexible. So glad I found SmartSites for help with SEO on my website.” — Peter

Why Listen to Me

I’ve spent the last 5 years in the trenches helping startups build SEO strategies that actually convert.

I don’t just talk about SEO. I implement it daily for early-stage companies with real budget constraints.

I’ve worked across multiple verticals from tech to SaaS to legal, seeing firsthand what works for resource-strapped teams.

My focus has always been growth metrics that founders and investors care about: 

• Customer acquisition costs
• Conversion rates
• Revenue
• ROI

 Not just traffic.

I’ve made every mistake in the book, so you don’t have to (like hiring the wrong agency myself in the early days).

Having been on both the client and service provider side, I know exactly what red flags to watch for when selecting an SEO partner.

Unlike typical “best of” lists, I’m not including agencies based on who paid for placement or who ranks well themselves.

Each company here has proven they understand the unique challenges startups face: 

Limited budgets, pressure to show traction, and the need for strategies that scale.

My Selection Criteria

I didn’t just throw together a random list of SEO companies with good marketing.

Each agency or consultant made this list based on specific criteria that matter for startups:

1. Startup-Specific Experience – They understand the unique challenges of early-stage companies and have a track record of helping startups specifically.
2. Budget-Conscious Pricing – Their pricing models are built for startups, not enterprise companies with massive marketing budgets.
3. Quick-Win Focus – They balance long-term strategy with an emphasis on early wins that can help prove traction.
4. Conversion Expertise – They prioritize metrics that truly matter for startup growth: leads, sales, and revenue, not just rankings and traffic.
5. Hands-On Approach – They provide direct access to senior team members rather than passing clients off to junior staff after the sale.

I deliberately excluded agencies with enterprise-focused pricing, those requiring long-term contracts without clear deliverables, and those prioritizing vanity metrics over actual growth.

Consultant vs. Agency: Which Is Right For Your Startup?

The right choice between a consultant and agency depends entirely on your specific needs.

Here’s when each makes sense:

Choose a consultant when you:

• Need expert strategy but have an in-house team for execution
• Are working with limited budget but need high-level expertise
• Want direct access to a senior strategist without account manager layers
• Need someone who can integrate seamlessly with your existing team
• Value flexibility and the ability to pivot strategies quickly

Choose an agency when you:

• Need full-service execution across multiple channels
• Don’t have any in-house marketing resources
• Require specialized skills across different domains (technical SEO, content, link building)
• Have the budget for a more comprehensive solution
• Need a team that can scale resources up quickly as you grow

For most early-stage startups, a consultant provides the expertise you need without the overhead of a full agency.

As you scale and your needs become more complex, transitioning to an agency with specialized teams often makes more sense.

The most important factor is finding a partner who truly understands startup constraints and focuses on driving meaningful growth metrics.

Your Next Step: Finding Your Startup’s Perfect SEO Match

The right SEO partner can transform your growth trajectory, but the wrong one can waste precious runway and momentum.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing based on impressive case studies from enterprise clients or promises of “page one rankings.”

Your startup needs a partner who:

• Understands your specific growth stage and runway constraints
• Has proven experience scaling businesses at your exact stage
• Focuses obsessively on metrics that matter to your investors and board
• Can adapt quickly as your product and positioning evolve

The consultants and agencies on this list have demonstrated they can build sustainable acquisition channels for early-stage companies.

Want to skip the trial and error completely? Let’s talk about your specific growth challenges.

I’ll help you identify exactly which partner on this list is the right fit for your startup’s stage, goals, and budget.