Top SEO Agencies in Melbourne
Melbourne’s thriving business landscape has fostered a competitive ecosystem of SEO agencies, with industry leaders like StudioHawk, Digital Nomads HQ, and Clearwater Agency delivering impressive results through data-driven strategies, technical expertise, and proven track records of boosting client visibility and ROI.
StudioHawk’s Award-Winning Agency
StudioHawk has established itself as a powerhouse in the SEO industry, collecting prestigious accolades including “Best Large SEO Agency” at the APAC Search Awards for three consecutive years (2022-2024) and “SEO Agency of the Year” at the Global Digital Excellence Awards.
Their impressive client success stories demonstrate why they’ve earned these honors, with campaigns delivering remarkable results such as a 101% year-over-year organic revenue increase for Clarks, an 86% increase in leads for a business coaching program, and a staggering 2000% organic traffic increase for a medical supplies website.
The agency’s expertise spans various industries, with notable achievements including helping fashion brand Black Pepper achieve a 302% increase in total clicks and a 715% increase in top keyword positions, boosting SnowsBest’s organic visits by 102% after reversing a Google manual action, and increasing Grind coffee brand’s organic search revenue by 206%.
StudioHawk’s comprehensive approach combines technical SEO, content optimization, strategic link building, and their unique Digital PR service-the only one in Australia offering a guaranteed link placement or money-back promise.
Digital Nomads HQ’s ROI Strategies
Digital Nomads HQ has established itself as a results-driven agency with impressive ROI metrics that speak volumes about their effectiveness. Their data-backed strategies have produced remarkable outcomes for clients, including a 300% increase in website traffic coupled with an extraordinary 1,600% jump in online engagement. For SEO campaigns specifically, they’ve achieved notable successes like boosting a national franchise’s organic traffic by 39.1% in just six months and helping a construction company secure 21 targeted keywords in the top three positions.
The agency’s ROI-focused approach combines several key elements that drive measurable results:
- In-house expertise with all work handled by their team of 18 marketing specialists, avoiding outsourcing or white-label solutions
- Comprehensive technical SEO audits examining website structure, loading speeds, redirects, and canonical tags
- Transparent reporting with live dashboards for real-time campaign monitoring
- No lock-in contracts, demonstrating confidence in their ability to deliver consistent value
- Tailored strategies developed after thorough scoping sessions to understand specific business needs
- Multi-channel integration across SEO, content marketing, social media, and paid advertising for maximum impact
Clearwater Agency’s Local SEO Mastery
Clearwater Agency has distinguished itself in Melbourne’s competitive SEO landscape by mastering local search optimization, earning the prestigious “Best Local SEO Campaign” award at the 2023 Global Search Awards in Paris. Their approach blends creative innovation with technical expertise, particularly evident in their work with Wilson Parking, where they managed over 400 parking locations nationwide and delivered a 76% increase in visits within 24 hours after mobile searches.
Their local SEO excellence is built on several key strengths:
- Google Business Profile optimization that drives measurable business growth
- Hyper-targeted local search strategies tailored to specific geographical areas
- A data-driven methodology that has helped clients achieve up to 200% growth in conversions and 630% increases in monthly recurring revenue
- Comprehensive local SEO campaigns that have improved organic search traffic by 95% and increased online bookings by 75% within 12 months
- A unified “one brain” approach where creative minds and technical specialists collaborate to deliver exceptional results
Shout Digital
Shout Digital stands out among Melbourne’s SEO agencies with their performance-driven approach and transparent X-Chart forecasting system that shows clients exactly what ROI to expect from their investment.
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Hawthorn East, this full-service digital marketing agency has built a reputation for delivering measurable results across SEO, PPC, social media, and content marketing campaigns.
The agency’s success stories include impressive client outcomes such as a 400% increase in traffic for National Tiles through strategic social media advertising, resulting in a 45% reduction in cost per sale.
Their SEO expertise is particularly notable, with a team obsessed with “what makes Google tick” and a commitment to long-term, sustainable ranking improvements rather than quick fixes.
Shout Digital’s comprehensive approach includes technical SEO audits, high-quality content creation, metadata optimization, and strategic backlink building-all tailored to each client’s specific business goals and target audience. With no lock-in contracts and a focus on transparency, Shout has positioned itself as a trusted partner for businesses looking to amplify their digital performance across Australia.
Xugar
Founded in 2017, Xugar has established itself as a full-service digital marketing agency in Melbourne, delivering an average 400% ROI through data-driven strategies.
Their comprehensive service portfolio includes SEO, PPC, social media marketing, and web development, all designed to work together in omnichannel campaigns that shorten the customer journey and maximize returns.
Xugar’s approach is distinctly results-focused, with impressive client outcomes including a 166% increase in local leads, 225% increase in Page 1 keywords, and 111% revenue growth. The agency differentiates itself through:
- Comprehensive data analysis using tools like Google Analytics 4 and SEMrush to benchmark clients against competitors
- Continuous optimization based on real-time performance metrics and industry trends
- Transparent reporting that cuts through “fluff and jargon” to show clear ROI
- A team of specialists who stay current with algorithm updates, particularly adapting to significant changes like Google’s 2023 Helpful Content Update
- Positive client testimonials highlighting consistent lead generation and business growth
With a 5.0 community feedback score and offices in Southbank, Xugar has built a reputation for helping businesses across various sectors achieve sustainable commercial growth through strategic digital marketing.
eMarket Experts
Founded in 2013, eMarket Experts has grown into one of Melbourne’s most dynamic digital marketing agencies, specializing in performance-driven SEO strategies that deliver measurable results.
Their comprehensive approach has earned them recognition as an award-winning agency, with accolades including SEMrush Search Awards and features in the Australian Financial Review.
The agency’s SEO expertise is demonstrated through impressive client outcomes:
- Increasing monthly website visitors from 400 to 6,000 for select clients
- Boosting website rankings from position 108 to 317
- Achieving 80% of targeted keywords on Google’s first page
- Maintaining a consistent 500% ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)
- Promising to outperform existing SEO campaigns within 90 days
Their full-stack digital marketing services extend beyond SEO to include PPC management, website design, Google Shopping management, social media marketing, and content marketing.
As official partners of Google, Bing, Shopify, and BigCommerce, eMarket Experts brings certified expertise to every project, with particular strength in eCommerce SEO for platforms like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce.
Their team of Melbourne-based digital specialists includes SEO analysts, graphic designers, web developers, and content marketers who work collaboratively to deliver tailored strategies that drive business growth.
Impressive
Impressive has carved out a significant position in Melbourne’s SEO landscape as a data-driven agency with a focus on measurable growth.
Founded in 2016, they’ve rapidly established themselves through their ROI-focused approach, helping clients achieve an average 140% increase in organic traffic and 170% boost in conversions within the first 12 months of partnership.
The agency differentiates itself through:
- A comprehensive 6-step SEO methodology that begins with in-depth technical audits and competitor analysis
- Specialized expertise in both local SEO for Melbourne businesses and eCommerce SEO for online retailers
- Transparent reporting with custom dashboards showing real-time performance metrics
- A team of certified SEO specialists who stay ahead of algorithm changes and industry trends
- Award-winning campaigns recognized for delivering substantial revenue growth across competitive industries
Impressive’s client portfolio spans various sectors, with particularly strong results in retail, professional services, and healthcare. Their commitment to sustainable, white-hat SEO practices has helped them build lasting client relationships, with many partnerships extending beyond five years.
Clickmatix
Established in 2014, Clickmatix has emerged as a prominent digital marketing agency in Melbourne, specializing in SEO, PPC, social media management, and marketing automation.
As finalists in the 2025 APAC Search Awards for “Best SEO Campaign” and “Best Low-Budget Campaign,” they’ve demonstrated their expertise through impressive client results, including doubling business output within three weeks of implementing AdWords campaigns and delivering significant improvements in website traffic and leads by up to 30%.
The agency distinguishes itself through:
- A growth-centric approach with tailored digital strategies for businesses of all sizes
- Partnerships with major platforms including Google and HubSpot
- Comprehensive technical SEO audits and structured data implementation
- Notable success stories like KidzShack, where they built organic visibility in a highly competitive e-commerce niche
- Custom reporting dashboards providing real-time performance insights
- A team of 201-500 employees based in Docklands, Victoria
With specialties spanning search engine optimization, conversion rate optimization, and website development, Clickmatix has built a reputation for delivering measurable results while maintaining transparent client relationships and affordable pricing structures.
First Page Australia
First Page Australia has established itself as a leading digital marketing agency in Melbourne, specializing in driving exceptional SEO results with a performance guarantee-if they don’t outperform your current strategy, you don’t pay.
Founded by Young Rich Lister Nick Bell, the agency expanded to Australia after significant success throughout Asia, with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Dubai.
The agency’s impressive track record includes remarkable client success stories:
- Generating a 310% revenue increase for Pokebox
- Taking Savage Air from underutilized to fully booked within months
- Reducing cost per lead to just $27 for Children’s Dental Specialists
- Delivering a 200% year-over-year traffic growth for Australian Unions, resulting in over 10 million impressions
- Working with global brands including McDonald’s, Microsoft, and Rolls Royce
First Page differentiates itself through real-world business experience outside the agency sector, data-driven decision-making, and specialized expertise in eCommerce SEO.
Their comprehensive digital marketing services include SEO, PPC, social media marketing across platforms like Facebook and TikTok, and reputation management-including the removal of negative content posted by competitors.
With their enterprise-level capabilities and focus on delivering measurable ROI, First Page has positioned itself as a formidable player in Melbourne’s competitive SEO landscape.
Agency comparison based upon Client Communications
| Agency | Communication Strengths | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomads HQ | Live dashboards for real-time monitoring, regular reporting calls, exceptional client testimonials praising communication (“constant communication”) | ★★★★★ |
| Clearwater Agency | “One brain” collaborative approach between creative and technical teams, comprehensive client reporting | ★★★★☆ |
| Shout Digital | Transparent X-Chart forecasting system showing expected ROI, no lock-in contracts, prompt communication noted in testimonials | ★★★★☆ |
| First Page Digital | Enterprise-level reporting, transparent data-driven practices, thorough optimization updates | ★★★★☆ |
| Online Marketing Gurus | Full transparency approach, evidence-based strategies with clear reporting, client testimonials praising service quality | ★★★★☆ |
| Loopex Digital | Regular reporting calls updating on key metrics (traffic, keywords, backlinks), highly personalized approach | ★★★☆☆ |
| StudioHawk | Comprehensive reporting on campaign performance, though less specific information about communication practices | ★★★☆☆ |
| Xugar | Transparent reporting “cutting through fluff and jargon,” focus on clear ROI metrics | ★★★☆☆ |
| eMarket Experts | Performance promises (outperforming existing campaigns within 90 days), though less detail on communication processes | ★★★☆☆ |
| Impressive | Custom dashboards showing real-time metrics, transparent reporting structure | ★★★☆☆ |
| Clickmatix | Custom reporting dashboards with real-time insights, transparent client relationships | ★★★☆☆ |
Digital Nomads HQ stands out with exceptional client testimonials specifically praising their communication practices and constant updates, while agencies like Shout Digital and First Page Digital differentiate themselves through transparent forecasting systems and comprehensive reporting structures.
Agency comparison based upon Client Testimonials
| Agency | Testimonial Highlights | Client Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
| StudioHawk | “StudioHawk took the time to understand what we needed as a business” (Civilmart), “The results have been amazing!” (Learnmate), “Helped us quickly get to page one on Google” (The Entourage) | ★★★★★ |
| Digital Nomads HQ | “Digital Nomads truly stand out as a world-class agency” (Cococoast Global), “If I could give them 10 stars, I would!” (Sapphire Support), “They have become like an extension of our business” (Noosa Natural Chocolate Company) | ★★★★★ |
| Clearwater Agency | “Increased our inquiries by 17%”, “Great dashboard where we can interrogate their performance”, praised for direct access to SEO experts | ★★★★☆ |
| Shout Digital | “Excellent agency that has delivered on results”, “Great account management and always focused on delivering growth” | ★★★★☆ |
| Xugar | “After 6 months our SEO brings in 10 times more than Adwords at a fraction of the cost”, “Consistent flow of new leads and enquiries every day”, “They really put actual time and effort to get the results” | ★★★★☆ |
| First Page Australia | “310% revenue increase” (Pokebox), “Fully booked within months” (Savage Air), “Reduced cost per lead to just $27” (Children’s Dental Specialists) | ★★★★☆ |
| eMarket Experts | Clients report increases from 400 to 6,000 monthly visitors, 80% of keywords reaching first page | ★★★☆☆ |
| Impressive | Average 140% increase in organic traffic and 170% boost in conversions reported by clients | ★★★☆☆ |
| Clickmatix | Testimonials mention doubling business output within three weeks and improving website traffic by up to 30% | ★★★☆☆ |
StudioHawk and Digital Nomads HQ stand out with the most enthusiastic client testimonials, with clients specifically praising their understanding of business needs, communication practices, and exceptional results. Clearwater, Shout Digital, and Xugar also receive strong client feedback highlighting tangible business growth and effective account management.
Agency comparison based upon Case Studies
| Agency | Case Study Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| StudioHawk | 101% YOY organic revenue increase for Clarks, 86% increase in leads for business coaching, 2000% organic traffic increase for medical supplies, 60% increase in organic traffic for Officeworks | ★★★★★ |
| Digital Nomads HQ | 300% increase in site traffic with 1,600% increase in engagement, 39.1% organic traffic growth in 6 months for a national franchise, 21x improvement in targeted keywords for construction company | ★★★★★ |
| Clearwater Agency | Award-winning campaign for Wilson Parking targeting 400+ locations nationwide, significant reduction in CPA across paid channels, preserved rankings during SEO migration | ★★★★☆ |
| Shout Digital | 213% revenue growth for Independence Australia with 41% conversion rate increase, 20x ROAS for Sky Music’s Facebook campaign while maintaining strong SEO/SEM performance | ★★★★☆ |
| First Page Australia | 310% revenue increase for Pokebox, transformed Savage Air from underutilized to fully booked, reduced cost per lead to $27 for Children’s Dental Specialists | ★★★☆☆ |
| eMarket Experts | Increased monthly visitors from 400 to 6,000 for select clients, improved rankings from position 108 to 317, achieved 80% of targeted keywords on Google’s first page | ★★★☆☆ |
| Xugar | 166% increase in local leads, 225% increase in Page 1 keywords, 111% revenue growth across various client campaigns | ★★★☆☆ |
| Impressive | Average 140% increase in organic traffic and 170% boost in conversions within first 12 months across client portfolio | ★★★☆☆ |
| Clickmatix | Doubled business output within three weeks for AdWords campaigns, improved website traffic and leads by up to 30% for various clients | ★★☆☆☆ |
StudioHawk and Digital Nomads HQ demonstrate the most impressive case studies with detailed metrics across diverse industries. Clearwater and Shout Digital follow closely with award-winning campaigns and significant ROI achievements. The remaining agencies show solid results but with less comprehensive documentation of their case studies.
Agency comparison based upon Awards
| Agency | Award Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| StudioHawk | ‘SEO Agency of the Year’ at Global Digital Excellence Awards, ‘Best Large SEO Agency’ at APAC Search Awards, ‘Best B2B Campaign’ at SEMRush Awards 2021, ‘Best Use of Search Automotive’ at Global Search Awards | ★★★★★ |
| Digital Nomads HQ | Global 1000 by Clutch.co (#260 out of 262,000 agencies), Global Search Awards Finalist 2024, APAC Search Finalist 2025, Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2024 Winner, 100+ industry awards overall | ★★★★★ |
| Clearwater Agency | ‘Best Local SEO Campaign’ at 2023 Global Search Awards, ‘Best B2C Campaign’, ‘Best PPC Campaign’, ‘Best Integrated Campaign’, ‘Best Use of Search in Finance’ | ★★★★☆ |
| eMarket Experts | Three-time finalist in 2021 SEMRush Search Awards: ‘Highest Website Visitor Growth’, ‘Best Local Campaign’, ‘Low Budget Campaign’ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Clickmatix | Finalists in 2025 APAC Search Awards for ‘Best SEO Campaign’ and ‘Best Low-Budget Campaign’ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Shout Digital | Limited award information available in sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Xugar | Limited award information available in sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Impressive | Limited award information available in sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| First Page Australia | Limited award information available in sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
StudioHawk and Digital Nomads HQ clearly lead the pack with numerous prestigious industry awards, establishing them as the most decorated SEO agencies in Melbourne.
StudioHawk’s recognition at global events like the APAC Search Awards demonstrates their international standing, while Digital Nomads HQ’s positioning at #260 in Clutch’s Global 1000 (out of 262,000 agencies) highlights their exceptional client satisfaction and industry reputation. Clearwater Agency follows with several significant awards including their standout achievement for local SEO campaigns.
Agency comparison based upon Industry Recognition
| Agency | Industry Recognition Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| StudioHawk | Crowned ‘Best Large SEO Agency’ at APAC Search Awards 2022-2024, Global Search Awards winner, founded by Harry Sanders at age 17 | ★★★★★ |
| Digital Nomads HQ | Positioned #260 out of 262,000 agencies worldwide by Clutch, recognized as industry “thought-leader”, multiple TechBehemoths awards | ★★★★★ |
| Clearwater Agency | Winner ‘Best Local SEO Campaign’ at 2023 Global Search Awards, positioned as top marketing agency in Melbourne, multiple APAC Search Awards | ★★★★☆ |
| Impressive Digital | APAC Search Awards winner for four consecutive years (2022-2025), recognized for client achievements like 159% increase in online revenue for Acer | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shout Digital | Established reputation as full-service digital marketing experts, known for transparent X-Chart forecasting system | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Xugar | Recognized for delivering 400% average ROI since 2017, known for data-driven content strategies and impressive client outcomes | ★★☆☆☆ |
| First Page Australia | Founded by Young Rich Lister Nick Bell, expanded from successful Asian operations, works with global brands including McDonald’s and Microsoft | ★★☆☆☆ |
| eMarket Experts | Featured in Australian Financial Review, SEMrush Search Awards finalist, Google, Bing, Shopify and BigCommerce official partner | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Clickmatix | Finalists in 2025 APAC Search Awards, partnerships with major platforms including Google and HubSpot | ★☆☆☆☆ |
StudioHawk and Digital Nomads HQ demonstrate the strongest industry recognition, with StudioHawk’s consecutive APAC Search Awards and Digital Nomads HQ’s impressive global ranking by Clutch.
Clearwater Agency follows closely with its award-winning local SEO campaigns, while Impressive Digital shows consistent recognition through multiple years of APAC Search Awards.
SEO Agency to hire in Melbourne – of course that’s StudioHawk
Based on the comprehensive analysis of Melbourne’s top SEO agencies, StudioHawk and Digital Nomads HQ emerge as the clear leaders for businesses seeking exceptional SEO services.
StudioHawk stands out with their specialized SEO expertise, impressive case studies showing up to 2000% organic traffic increases, and consistent recognition as “Best Large SEO Agency” at the APAC Search Awards for three consecutive years. Digital Nomads HQ matches this excellence with their #260 ranking among 262,000 global agencies, 300% traffic growth results, and transparent communication practices that clients consistently praise.
For businesses with specific needs, several agencies offer specialized strengths:
- Clearwater Agency excels in local SEO, winning the “Best Local SEO Campaign” award at the 2023 Global Search Awards
- Shout Digital provides exceptional transparency with their X-Chart forecasting system
- First Page Australia offers performance guarantees and enterprise-level capabilities
- Smaller businesses might consider Soup Agency, which has delivered impressive results including 7106% year-on-year organic revenue growth
The optimal choice ultimately depends on your specific business requirements, budget constraints, and whether you prioritize specialized expertise, communication transparency, or proven results in your industry vertical.