The UK search landscape continues to evolve quickly, with changing algorithms, richer SERP features, and rising user expectations. Choosing a partner that fits your goals, your stage, and your budget matters more than ever. This guide lists leading UK SEO agencies and compares their strengths, typical fit, and potential trade-offs. It is written in a neutral tone, with clear selection criteria explained below.
Good SEO aligns technical foundations, content quality, and genuine authority building. The best agencies communicate this clearly, then prove it with measurable outcomes.
How We Selected the Agencies
We evaluated publicly available data and visible signals. The emphasis is on real client results, transparent practices, and consistent delivery over time.
- Client results and case studies (traffic, rankings, conversions, revenue signals where available)
- Independent reputation (reviews, awards, third party listings, nominations)
- Capability breadth (technical SEO, content strategy, digital PR or link acquisition)
- Transparency and reporting (clarity on deliverables, frequency, metrics)
- Industry or problem fit (local search, ecommerce, B2B, complex technical work)
- Team and communication (stability, accessibility, proactive guidance)
- UK context (local search nuances, multi region capability when needed)
Important context: best is relative. A boutique that is perfect for an SME may not be ideal for a multinational, and the reverse can also be true. Use the comparison table and the fit notes before shortlisting.
Top UK SEO Agencies
1) SEO Impact, Northern Ireland
SEO Impact is a UK agency based in Newry, Northern Ireland. It combines technical SEO, content strategy, digital PR, and web development. The firm is visible across independent directories and awards, with a run of highly rated client feedback and a portfolio that spans ecommerce, local services, and B2B. The positioning focuses on measurable growth and clear communication.
- Standout strengths: transparent reporting, accessible senior input, and a balanced approach to technical fixes, content, and authority building.
- Best for: SMEs and growth stage organisations that want a hands-on partner, value clarity, and need measurable outcomes without unnecessary complexity.
- Considerations: Pricing is bespoke. As a relatively young brand, some buyers may prefer to review curated case studies and speak with references before commissioning large multi market campaigns.
2) Screaming Frog, Henley on Thames
Screaming Frog is known worldwide for its SEO Spider software. The agency arm brings deep technical expertise to audits, migrations, and complex crawl issues. If your site has scale, crawl budget concerns, or JavaScript rendering challenges, this team sits high on most shortlists.
- Best for: large or intricate websites that need precise technical diagnosis and remediation.
- Considerations: Content and outreach are not the primary focus. Pricing can be premium for smaller businesses.
3) Builtvisible, London
Builtvisible blends technical SEO, strategic content, and digital PR. The team has strong data skills and experience in competitive sectors such as travel and finance. Expect polished deliverables, clear hypotheses, and robust measurement frameworks.
- Best for: mid to enterprise organisations that want integrated SEO and content at high standards.
- Considerations: Premium pricing. Smaller accounts may not be the best fit.
4) Impression, Nottingham and London
Impression is a performance agency with strong SEO and PPC capabilities. It balances technical delivery with content and digital PR, and it is comfortable translating strategy into actionable roadmaps for in house teams.
- Best for: UK brands that want an accountable, multi discipline partner with dependable processes.
- Considerations: Not a pure play SEO boutique. Some buyers prefer a specialist when the brief is highly technical.
5) iProspect UK, London and regional
iProspect is a global network agency with enterprise scale. The UK team can coordinate SEO with paid media, creative, and analytics. For multi market rollouts or complex reporting stacks, the breadth is attractive.
- Best for: national and international brands that want SEO integrated with wider media and data teams.
- Considerations: Higher retainers, layered communications, and process heavy ways of working can be less suitable for early stage companies.
6) The SEO Works, UK wide
The SEO Works delivers SEO, PPC, web, and creative services. It has a long presence in the UK market and is familiar to buyers who prefer a single supplier across multiple channels. Reporting and account management are typically structured and predictable.
- Best for: companies that want an all in one digital partner rather than separate SEO and paid media vendors.
- Considerations: Generalist scope can be a trade off if you need very deep technical SEO or bespoke digital PR at scale.
7) Distilled, part of Brainlabs, London and global
Distilled is well regarded for strategy, content thinking, and advanced SEO education. Buyers often cite thought leadership and senior consulting quality. If you need positioning, content frameworks, and long term roadmap design, this is a credible option.
- Best for: brands that want senior guidance and a well reasoned plan before large scale execution.
- Considerations: Premium fees, and tactical production may be handled by other teams or partners.
8) Verve Search, London
Verve Search is recognised for creative campaigns and link led digital PR. If your objective includes brand impact and high authority coverage, their ideation and outreach can deliver strong gains in authority signals.
- Best for: brands that want headline worthy content and authoritative links, alongside SEO benefits.
- Considerations: Campaigns need to be paired with strong technical and on page foundations to translate into consistent organic growth.
9) Vertical Leap, UK
Vertical Leap offers SEO, PPC, design, and analytics. It is a steady choice for SMEs that want reliable delivery, frequent communication, and a pragmatic approach to prioritisation.
- Best for: growing businesses that want a dependable long term partner and clear reporting rhythms.
- Considerations: May not have the same depth for highly complex enterprise SEO or large international rollouts.
10) SALT.agency, UK
SALT focuses on technical search, analytics, and leadership in testing. Expect rigorous measurement, structured experimentation, and attention to architecture, speed, and data quality.
- Best for: organisations that want a technically strong partner with a testing mindset.
- Considerations: Content and PR production may require separate resourcing if your brief demands scale.
11) Fat Fish Marketing, UK
Fat Fish Marketing provides SEO and performance marketing for growing ecommerce and lead generation brands. The team blends technical audits, content optimisation, and conversion focused thinking, with experience across platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. Clear communication and practical recommendations are recurring themes in client feedback.
- Best for: SMEs that want pragmatic SEO tied to commercial outcomes, especially ecommerce businesses.
- Considerations: For very large international programmes, you may wish to confirm capacity and partner network for digital PR at scale.
Visit Fat Fish Marketing website
Honourable Mentions
- Hallam – respected full service partner with strong SEO heritage.
- Koozai – familiar name for search and content with accessible packages for SMEs.
- GR0 – a growing team with performance led programmes for DTC brands.
Quick Comparison Table
| Agency | Strongest areas | Best for | Potential trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| The SEO Impact | Balanced technical SEO, content, digital PR, web development, clear reporting | SMEs and growth stage brands seeking measurable outcomes | Bespoke pricing, younger brand, review case studies in detail |
| Screaming Frog | Technical audits, migrations, JavaScript SEO, log file analysis | Large or complex sites that need precise diagnosis | Less focus on content and outreach, premium pricing for small sites |
| Builtvisible | SEO plus content strategy and digital PR, data driven frameworks | Mid to enterprise organisations with complex content requirements | Premium retainers, smaller accounts may not be ideal |
| Impression | Balanced SEO, content, PR, analytics, PPC alignment | Brands that want dependable cross channel thinking | Not a pure SEO boutique for highly technical briefs |
| iProspect UK | Enterprise scale, integration with paid media and analytics | National and international brands with multi market needs | Higher fees, heavier processes, less nimble for small firms |
| The SEO Works | SEO and PPC plus web and creative, one supplier convenience | Companies that prefer a single partner across channels | May not provide specialist depth for advanced technical work |
| Distilled | Strategy, content frameworks, senior consulting | Brands that need positioning and long term roadmap design | Premium cost, production may sit elsewhere |
| Verve Search | Digital PR, creative campaigns, authority building | Brands seeking brand impact and authoritative coverage | Requires strong technical and on page foundations to compound |
| Vertical Leap | SME friendly delivery, clear reporting, cross channel options | Growing SMEs that want stability and clarity | Less suited to very complex enterprise SEO |
| SALT.agency | Technical search, analytics, experimentation | Teams that value testing, measurement, and architecture quality | Content and PR scale may require additional support |
| Fat Fish Marketing | Ecommerce oriented SEO, technical audits, content optimisation | SMEs, especially Shopify and WooCommerce stores | Confirm capacity and partner network for large scale PR |
How to Shortlist and Choose
- Define success clearly: traffic, rankings, leads, revenue, or a mix. Align KPIs with business goals, then choose an agency that reports on those KPIs.
- Match scope and fit: audit first, ongoing retainers, or campaign bursts. Check that the agency’s delivery model suits your team and timelines.
- Request relevant evidence: ask for case studies that resemble your industry, your platform, and your growth stage. Verify time frames and budgets for context.
- Review reporting samples: you should understand the metrics and the narrative. Look for insight, not only dashboards.
- Check terms and flexibility: contract length, exit routes, and how change requests are handled. Agility is helpful when priorities shift.
FAQ
How much does SEO cost in the UK?
Pricing varies with scope and complexity. SMEs often start with monthly retainers in the low thousands, or with project based audits. Enterprise programmes cost more, especially if international content and digital PR are included. Ask for a clear breakdown of deliverables, hours, and expected milestones.
How long does SEO take to show results?
Technical fixes can produce early wins once crawled and indexed. Content and authority gains usually compound over months. Most programmes show meaningful traction in three to six months, with stronger returns over longer horizons when execution remains consistent.
What should I ask an agency before signing?
- Which outcomes will you measure and why
- What does month one look like, and what does month three look like
- Who will be on the account, and how often will we meet
- Can we see anonymised examples of reports and roadmaps
- What risks or constraints do you see in our situation
Final Thoughts
The agencies above represent different strengths. The SEO Impact leads this list for its balanced delivery and visible client satisfaction, Screaming Frog excels in technical diagnosis, Builtvisible and Verve Search bring strong content and digital PR firepower, and SALT focuses on rigorous technical and analytics methods. Your best choice depends on your goals, your internal capacity, and the timeline for outcomes. Use the table, speak with references, and review reporting samples before you decide.
Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on publicly visible signals and may change. Always validate pricing, staffing, and scope directly with agencies before commissioning work.
