Looking for an SEO agency in Detroit? You’re not alone. With so many options promising to boost your rankings, how do you know which will actually follow through?
We’ve analyzed the top 10 SEO agencies serving Detroit businesses to help you make the right choice. Here’s what you need to know.
What Actually Matters When Choosing an SEO Agency
Are They Actually Local?
Why it matters: Detroit businesses are unique. Your customers, competitors, and market dynamics are different from businesses in Miami or San Francisco.
Red flag: Agencies with generic “Detroit SEO” pages but no real local presence or understanding.
Can They Handle Everything In-House?
Why it matters: Great SEO starts with great website development. If your agency has to outsource web work, you’re paying a middleman.
Look for: Agencies that build websites AND do SEO under one roof.
How Large Is the Company?
Why it matters: At big agencies, you might never meet the person making decisions about your campaign.
Ask: “Who will I actually be working with day-to-day?”
Do They Show Real Results for Real Businesses?
Why it matters: Anyone can create a fancy case study. Look for specific, verifiable results from businesses like yours.
The Detroit SEO Agency Landscape: Who’s Who
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Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
- Based: Arlington, Texas
- What they do: Everything digital marketing
- The reality: Big agency, standardized processes, your account manager probably handles thousands of active clients
- Best for: Companies that want a “brand name” agency with a more standardized process
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Dog & Rooster
- Based: San Diego, California
- What they do: Web design with some SEO
- The reality: Beautiful websites, most likely designed from San Diego
- Best for: Design-first companies that don’t prioritize SEO strategy
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Social SEO
- Based: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- What they do: SEO with social media focus
- The reality: Another out-of-state agency with a Detroit landing page
- Best for: Businesses that prioritize social media over search
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WebFX
- Based: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- What they do: Full-scope digital marketing services and accompanying technology
- The reality: 500+ employees, enterprise focus
- Best for: Large corporations with big budgets
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Bootstrap Creative/Jacob Lett
- Based: 39366 Cadborough Dr, Clinton Township (Metro Detroit), Michigan
- What they do: B2B marketing with HubSpot focus
- The reality: Solo consultant model
- Best for: Small B2B companies wanting HubSpot integration and their additional fees
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OneIMS
- Based: Chicago, Illinois
- What they do: B2B SEO and content marketing with revenue operations focus
- The reality: Solid SEO services and heavily focused on large enterprise B2B companies
- Best for: Large B2B enterprises needing comprehensive SEO + revenue operations integration
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JLB Works
- Based: Franklin, Tennessee
- What they do: Web development and digital marketing
- The reality: Another out-of-state agency targeting Detroit with limited local presence
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SEO.co
- Based: Seattle, Washington
- What they do: SEO services
- The reality: National company
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AdsRole
- Based: Houston, TX
- What they do: PPC and SEO
- The reality: Primarily focused on paid advertising
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Metro Detroit SEO
- Based: 39366 Cadborough Dr, Clinton Township (Metro Detroit), Michigan
- What they do: Local SEO and PPC
- The reality: Associated with Bootstrap Creative/Jacob Lett
5 Questions That Reveal Everything
1. “Show me 3 Detroit businesses you’ve helped and their specific results.”
What you’re looking for: Real case studies with real numbers from real local businesses.
Red flag: Generic testimonials or case studies from other cities.
2. “Do you build websites in-house or outsource the development?”
What you’re looking for: An in-house development team that works closely with SEO specialists that you can talk to in short.
Red flag: “We partner with developers” (translation: they outsource and mark up the cost).
3. “What happens if my website needs technical fixes for SEO?”
What you’re looking for: “We handle it immediately because our developers are right here.”
Red flag: “We’ll need to contact our development partner and get back to you.”
4. “How many SEO clients does my account manager handle?”
What you’re looking for: 10-15 clients max for personalized attention.
Red flag: Reluctance to answer or numbers above 20.
5. “What premium SEO tools do you use, and can I access the data?”
What you’re looking for: Professional tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, plus transparent data sharing.
Red flag: Basic tools or reluctance to share information.
Warning Signs to Avoid
- Guaranteed rankings: Google doesn’t take bribes, don’t fall for false promises
- Rock-bottom pricing: Good SEO requires expertise, tools, and time
- “We’ll get back to you” about basic questions: Shows a lack of transparency
- No local case studies: They don’t understand your market
- Outsourced work: You’re paying middleman markup
Why Local + Full-Service Matters
SEO isn’t just about keywords and links anymore. Your website’s technical foundation, loading speed, mobile experience, and user interface all impact your search rankings.
When your SEO agency also builds your website, they can:
- Optimize for search engines from day one
- Fix technical issues immediately (no waiting for “the other company”)
- Make sure your design supports your SEO strategy
- Provide one point of contact for everything
The Ottaway Digital Advantage
We’re not going to claim we’re perfect for every business. But here’s what makes us different:
Actually Local: We’re based right here in metro Detroit. We understand your market, because it’s our market too.
Full-Service Integration: We build your website AND handle your SEO. No outsourcing, no finger-pointing, no delays.
Direct Access: You work directly with founder Bob Ottaway, not account manager #47.
Proven Results: We can show you specific
results for Detroit-area businesses
because that’s who we serve.
Technical Excellence: Mobile-first development, fast loading speeds, and a website built with SEO in mind.
The Bottom Line
Choosing an SEO agency isn’t about finding the biggest name or the lowest price. It’s about finding a partner who:
- Understands your local market
- Has the technical skills to execute properly
- Gives you direct access to decision-makers
- Shows proven results for businesses like yours
Take time to ask the right questions. Your future customers are searching for you right now – make sure they can find you.
