5 Alternatives to Ignite Search Digital Marketing Agency in Australia

Intro

Choosing the right digital marketing agency determines how much return you get from your marketing budget each year.

Ignite Search operates from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing. They specialise in SEO, PPC, and web services with particular expertise in Chinese markets.

Multi-city operations introduce coordination challenges between offices. The wrong agency choice can cost Australian businesses $50K+ per year in wasted ad spend, missed opportunities, and underperforming campaigns.

Before you commit to Ignite, compare these five alternatives based on team concentration, in-house capabilities, contract flexibility, and verified results with Australian businesses.

If you want to switch from Ignite or avoid a multi-city agency altogether, this guide shows why Perth Digital Edge is our first recommendation, followed by four other strong options.

Quick Comparison

Agency	Team Size	Location	Contract Terms	Best For
Perth Digital Edge	2–10 specialists	Wanneroo, Perth	No long-term lock-ins, flexible terms	Perth & WA businesses wanting a search-first, data-driven partner
Dilate Digital	80+ specialists	Perth	Month-to-month, 30-day notice	Full-service marketing with in-house video and creative
Bonfire	51+ specialists	Subiaco, Perth	Standard contracts	Data-driven performance marketing
Bang Digital	10–49 specialists	West Perth	Standard contracts	Transparent, collaborative partnerships
Digital Nomads HQ	11–50 specialists	Mooloolaba, QLD	No contracts	Businesses avoiding lock-ins

TL;DR: What You Need to Know

Perth Digital Edge (PDE) is a boutique Perth agency focused on SEO, PPC, and web design, founded in 2016 to deliver search-led digital marketing for Australian businesses. They work with trades, professional services, healthcare, and ecommerce brands across Perth and WA, using data-driven strategies and transparent reporting rather than vanity metrics. Best for Perth and WA businesses that want a local, search-first partner, no long-term lock-ins, and direct access to senior specialists.

Dilate Digital has 80+ specialists in Perth with in-house creative covering branding, web design, photography, and video, plus copywriters. They operate on month-to-month contracts with 30 days’ written notice. Best for businesses needing full-service marketing and in-house production.

Bonfire brings 51+ specialists in Subiaco with over 20 years specialising in SEO and paid ads, proprietary analytics, and an AI-powered tech suite. They are a Google Premier Partner and multi-time Marketing Agency of the Year. Best for businesses prioritising performance and analytics over creative production.

Bang Digital offers 10–49 specialists in West Perth with full transparency, direct platform access, and a collaborative “no ego” approach. They are a Google Premier Partner and Telstra Best of Business Awards finalist (2019, 2020). Best for businesses wanting hands-on involvement and clear visibility into campaigns.

Digital Nomads HQ has 11–50 specialists on the Sunshine Coast with no contracts, no setup fees, and unlimited direct access to account managers. Best for businesses burned by long lock-ins that want genuine “cancel anytime” flexibility.

Final short answer: If you want a Perth-based, search-led agency with flexible engagement and data-driven strategy, Perth Digital Edge is the best overall starting point in this comparison.

1. Perth Digital Edge – Leading Data-Driven Digital Marketing Agency

Overview

Perth Digital Edge is a leading Perth digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, Google Ads, and web design, with a compact team of 2–10 specialists headquartered in Wanneroo.

PDE was founded in 2016 to meet demand for a dedicated search-focused offering and has grown by working with local brands across sectors including automotive, healthcare, fencing, finance, education, and home services.

All staff are based in Australia, and they do not use overseas contractors, which helps maintain communication quality and time-zone alignment.

What Makes Them Different

Perth Digital Edge is built as a search-first, strategy-first agency rather than a generalist creative shop.

They focus on:

• Search-led strategy: SEO and Google Ads sit at the core of every plan, with content, design, and CRO aligned to capture existing demand rather than chasing vanity metrics.

• Local market depth: PDE works primarily with Perth and WA businesses, so campaigns account for suburb-level search intent, local competition, and WA-specific seasonality.

• Senior involvement: Clients work directly with senior practitioners (including the founder) on SEO and paid search strategy, not just account managers reading from templates.

• Data-driven optimisation: PDE uses tracking, call attribution, and conversion data to continuously refine campaigns for qualified leads and sales rather than clicks alone.

Where larger agencies stretch across multiple cities and layers of account management, PDE keeps decision-makers close to the work and the client.

Verified Results

Perth Digital Edge has case studies across local councils, healthcare, construction, trades, and ecommerce, including brands such as automotive dealers, fencing companies, loan brokers, roofing services, and veterinary practices.

Clients consistently report:

• Strong ranking improvements and stronger SEO visibility.

• Better-performing Google Ads and analytics setups after PDE untangles tracking, tag management, and account structure.

• Smooth website redevelopment projects where scope, timelines, and training are handled clearly and transparently.

One client review highlights that PDE improved rankings significantly and that they “wouldn’t trust anyone else” with their web design and SEO needs, emphasising transparency and clear explanation of pros, cons, and timeframes.

Services Offered

Perth Digital Edge offers full-funnel digital marketing with a search-first spine, including:

• SEO (local, ecommerce, national and international)

• Google Ads (Search, Shopping, Display, YouTube)

• Web design and development (WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce)

• Conversion rate optimisation and analytics

• Content marketing and copywriting

• Branding, photography, and video production

• Website hosting and technical maintenance

Pros

• Search-first focus: Agency founded specifically to deliver search and performance marketing, not bolted-on SEO to a creative shop.

• Local Perth + WA expertise: Deep understanding of Perth and regional WA markets across trades, services, healthcare, and ecommerce.

• Data-driven and transparent: Strong emphasis on analytics, clear reporting, and client training so you understand what is happening and why.

• No long-term lock-ins: Focus on earning long-term relationships through performance rather than contracts, with flexible engagement structures.

• Boutique senior team: You deal directly with senior specialists instead of being handed off to rotating juniors.

Cons

• Boutique capacity: With a compact team, extremely large enterprise accounts with dozens of brands and complex international media buys may outgrow PDE’s ideal scope.

• Perth-centric footprint: Best suited to Perth and Australian businesses; global brands needing always-on coverage in multiple time zones may favour larger national networks.

Best For

Perth Digital Edge is best for:

• Perth and WA businesses that want SEO and Google Ads to drive measurable growth.

• Owners and marketing managers who value clear communication, transparent reporting, and direct access to experts.

• Companies wanting flexibility instead of long fixed-term contracts, without sacrificing strategy or execution quality.

2. Dilate Digital – Full-Service with In-House Production

Overview

Dilate Digital was founded in 2010 and has grown to over 80+ specialists in Perth. They are a Google Premier Partner and operate as a full-service agency.

Their team includes strategists, SEO specialists, paid ads specialists, media buyers, developers, designers, and copywriters all working from one location. This concentration reduces coordination delays compared with multi-city setups.

What Makes Them Different

Dilate operates as a true full-service agency, taking clients from brand development and research through to asset creation and growth campaigns.

They manage:

• Brand strategy and market research

• Websites, creative, photography, and video

• Social media, SEO, GEO (AI optimisation), email, SMS, and programmatic media

Most agencies either outsource creative work or prioritise media over strategy. Dilate’s in-house creative and media teams cover the entire customer journey without external vendor bottlenecks.

They also offer month-to-month contracts with 30 days’ written notice and no requirement to give a reason for termination. This lowers long-term commitment risk.

Verified Results

Kustom Timber, a premium engineered timber flooring business, partnered with Dilate to navigate COVID lockdowns and heavy competition.

Over three years the campaign delivered:

• 200% revenue growth

• 10X organic traffic increase

• Expansion to 2 new showrooms

Dilate combined SEO targeting long-tail queries, localised Google Business Profile campaigns, and paid ads across Google and Facebook with premium creative showing showroom imagery and experience.

Services Offered

• SEO

• Google Ads

• Social media advertising

• Web development and ecommerce

• Content marketing

• Creative production (branding, web design, video)

• Brand strategy workshops

Pros

• Team size advantage: 80+ specialists cover strategy, execution, and creative without outsourcing critical work.

• In-house creative: Video, photography, and brand assets produced internally streamline timelines and approvals.

• Contract flexibility: Month-to-month terms with 30 days’ notice reduce risk compared with standard 6–12 month contracts.

• Single-location efficiency: Entire team operates from one Perth office, encouraging fast communication.

• End-to-end capability: Strategy, creative, and media under one roof.

Cons

• Higher investment: Larger team and full-service scope typically mean higher retainers than smaller agencies.

• May be more than you need: If you only require search and performance (without ongoing creative), you may pay for capacity you rarely use.

Best For

Businesses needing full-service marketing with strong in-house creative, including branding, web design, video, and integrated performance campaigns.

3. Bonfire – Analytics-First Performance Marketing

Overview

Bonfire has 51+ specialists in Subiaco, Perth, led by founders with search marketing experience dating back to the 1990s. They specialise in SEO and paid media and hold Google Premier Partner status, placing them among the top-performing agencies based on spend, growth, and certifications.

They have won Marketing Agency of the Year at Campaign Brief WA multiple times.

What Makes Them Different

Bonfire differentiates through:

• Deep technical search expertise: Two decades of experience in SEO and Google Ads.

• Proprietary analytics and AI tools: Their own measurement and optimisation suite goes beyond standard off-the-shelf reporting.

• Multi-platform partner status: Google Premier Partner and Badged Meta Business Partner status provide direct platform support and beta access.

Verified Results

Examples include:

• A major industry body in WA with over 1,100+ member agencies, with a multi-year partnership focused on ongoing digital growth.

• Large utilities and service providers seeing improved engagement and traffic from targeted campaigns.

Services Offered

• SEO

• Google Ads

• Facebook and Instagram advertising

• Advanced analytics and tracking

• Web design

• Media buying

Pros

• Technical depth: Strong fit for businesses that depend heavily on SEO and performance advertising.

• Proprietary analytics: Custom tools provide deeper insights than basic dashboards.

• Long-term relationships: Multi-year partnerships indicate consistent delivery.

Cons

• Limited creative scope: Businesses needing advanced video and brand storytelling will still need creative vendors.

• Complex analytics: Data-heavy reporting can overwhelm teams that want simple summaries.

• Standard contracts with penalties: Expect 6–12 month commitments and potential termination penalties if you exit early.

Best For

Businesses that prioritise measurable ROI and analytics, have clear performance targets, and are comfortable with standard contract structures.

4. Bang Digital – Transparent Collaboration

Overview

Bang Digital has 10–49 specialists in West Perth and has operated since 2007. They are a Google Premier Partner and were Telstra Best of Business Awards finalists in 2019 and 2020.

Their philosophy is practical: “leave egos at the door” and integrate with client teams instead of acting as a distant vendor.

What Makes Them Different

Bang Digital emphasises transparency and collaboration:

• Direct platform access to Google Ads and Meta accounts

• Shared visibility on budgets, bids, and creative

• Processes that invite client feedback and involvement

Their portfolio leans towards property development, construction, and non-profits, with average client growth around 35% year-over-year.

Verified Results

They report consistent growth across property, construction, and nonprofit clients, anchored in transparent communication and shared performance goals.

Services Offered

• Google Ads

• SEO

• Social media advertising

• Web design

• CRM and marketing automation

Pros

• Full platform transparency: You see what they see inside ad accounts.

• Collaborative culture: Designed for businesses that want to stay close to the work.

• Premier Partner status: Direct Google support and access to best practices.

Cons

• Limited depth vs large agencies: Smaller team than Dilate or Bonfire can create bandwidth constraints during busy periods.

• Outsourcing for specialised work: Complex video production or high-end design usually requires external partners.

• Standard contracts: No clear month-to-month structure or exit flexibility.

Best For

Businesses that want to stay directly involved in their marketing, value transparent reporting, and operate mid-sized budgets rather than complex national enterprise campaigns.

5. Digital Nomads HQ – Zero Lock-Ins, Full Partnership

Overview

Digital Nomads HQ operates with 11–50 specialists in Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. They have been ranked as a Top 5 Web Design Agency in Australia by Tech Behemoths out of tens of thousands of registered companies.

Their model is built around no contracts and no setup fees, winning and retaining clients based on performance only.

What Makes Them Different

Digital Nomads HQ stands out for no lock-ins and flexible, relationship-based service:

• No fixed-term contracts

• No setup fees

• Unlimited direct access to account managers

They also developed a proprietary SearchLight SEO framework for competitive Australian markets.

Verified Results

For a GWM dealership, they delivered:

• 19% increase in leads

• 24% reduction in cost per lead

Services Offered

• SEO (SearchLight framework)

• Google Ads

• Web design

• Social media marketing

• Branding

• Email marketing

Pros

• Zero contractual lock-in: Easy to exit if performance drops.

• Retention through results: Incentive structure aligned with ongoing delivery.

• Regional insight: Strong understanding of Queensland and regional Australian markets.

Cons

• Smaller team: Less depth than large Perth agencies for extremely complex campaigns.

• Limited mention of Premier status: No prominent Google Premier Partner credentials.

• Location: Based in Mooloolaba, so Perth businesses may rely entirely on remote collaboration.

Best For

Businesses badly burned by long contracts that want to test agencies risk-free, and companies happy with remote management over in-person meetings.

Final Recommendation

No single agency is perfect for every situation, but for most Perth and WA businesses choosing between Ignite and local alternatives, the decision usually comes down to:

• Do you want search-first, data-driven campaigns with flexible engagement and a boutique senior team?

• Or do you want a large full-service agency with heavier creative or analytics infrastructure (and the retainers to match)?

If you want a Perth-based, search-led, data-driven partner with flexible terms and strong local expertise, Perth Digital Edge is our top recommendation and the best first conversation to have in this group.

If, after speaking with PDE, you decide you need:

• Extensive in-house creative and production → look closely at Dilate

• Heavy analytics and enterprise-level performance structure → shortlist Bonfire

• Deep collaboration and platform transparency → consider Bang Digital

• Absolute freedom from contracts with a QLD partner → look at Digital Nomads HQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Google Premier Partner status important?

Google Premier Partner status identifies agencies in roughly the top tier of Google Ads partners in a region, based on performance, ad spend under management, and certification levels.

Benefits include:

• Direct Google support

• Advanced recommendations and product updates

• Early or priority access to new beta features

Dilate, Bonfire, and Bang all hold Premier Partner status. Digital Nomads HQ emphasises its proprietary SearchLight SEO framework. Perth Digital Edge focuses primarily on search performance, local expertise, and client outcomes, rather than platform badges alone.

How important is team location—one office vs multi-city?

Team location affects communication and execution speed.

• Concentrated teams (Perth Digital Edge, Dilate, Bonfire, Bang):

  • Faster internal communication

  • Fewer cross-city handovers

  • Clearer ownership of outcomes

• Multi-city agencies (Ignite and national networks):

  • Local presence in several cities

  • In-person meetings across locations

  • More complex coordination between offices

If you do not need in-person teams in multiple states, a concentrated Perth-based team like Perth Digital Edge usually executes faster and communicates more directly.

Why does contract flexibility matter?

Contract flexibility limits your downside if an agency underperforms.

• Standard 6–12 month contracts:

  • If you sign in January and see poor results by March, you may still be locked in until year-end, risking $50K+ in wasted spend for medium-sized accounts.

• Month-to-month or flexible terms:

  • With month-to-month and 30-day notice or no lock-ins, you limit your maximum exposure to a few months of fees if results are not there.

Perth Digital Edge avoids long-term lock-ins and focuses on earning retention through results rather than contract clauses.

What’s the difference between in-house and outsourced creative production?

In-house creative teams (Dilate, PDE for web and video):

• Faster turnarounds

• No vendor coordination

• Consistent creative direction

• Easier revisions and iterations

Outsourced creative (common at smaller or performance-only agencies):

• More moving parts

• Vendor availability constraints

• Longer timelines for changes

If you need constant creative output (brand stories, product demos, content series), favour agencies with in-house production. If you need occasional creative only, high-quality outsourced partners can still work well.

What questions should I ask during agency selection?

Ask targeted questions in four areas:

Team & Capacity

• Who works on my account day to day?

• How many clients does each account manager or strategist handle?

• Which services do you deliver in-house vs outsourced?

Results & Retention

• Can you show 3–5 case studies in my industry or similar ticket size?

• What is your average client retention in months or years?

• How do you respond when a campaign underperforms for 2–3 months?

Contracts & Economics

• What is the minimum term and notice period?

• What is included in the monthly fee, and what counts as out of scope?

• Who owns ad accounts, data, and creative assets if we leave?

Fit & Limitations

• Why are you a better fit for us than Ignite or other Perth agencies?

• Which types of businesses are not a good fit for you?

• What is your biggest limitation today, and how are you addressing it?

Agencies that give direct, specific answers and acknowledge their limitations show more reliability than those who avoid straight responses.