OvercomeMedia
SEO is the one marketing service where it is hardest to tell a good agency from a bad one. Ads either produce leads or they do not. A website either looks right or it does not. But SEO takes months, the reports are full of jargon, and plenty of business owners have paid for a year of “optimization” without ever seeing the phone ring more.
That is why we put this list together. We reviewed SEO agencies with real offices in Lexington, read what their clients say on Google, and sorted out which kind of business each one is actually built to help.
Full transparency: Overcome Media wrote this list, and we ranked ourselves first. We explain exactly who we are the best fit for (and who we are not), and every other agency on this list is one we would genuinely recommend to the right business.
How We Ranked These SEO Agencies
- Google rating and review volume. An SEO agency that cannot earn reviews for itself is a red flag.
- Evidence of results in reviews. We looked for clients describing real outcomes: more leads, better rankings, more calls.
- SEO depth. Local SEO, Google Business Profile, technical fixes and content, or just a keyword report?
- Who they are built for. Local service businesses, e-commerce and large companies need very different SEO.
- Reporting and communication. Clients should understand what they are paying for.
Quick Comparison
| Rank | Agency | Google Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overcome Media | 5.0 (18 reviews) | Local SEO for blue collar and home service businesses |
| 2 | BuzzMaven Digital Marketing Agency | 5.0 (18 reviews) | Technical SEO for larger companies |
| 3 | Newman Digital Strategies | 4.9 (35 reviews) | Strategy led SEO and digital marketing |
| 4 | McNee Solutions | 4.6 (22 reviews) | Websites and e-commerce built with SEO in mind |
| 5 | Based Agency Marketing | 5.0 (22 reviews) | Websites plus SEO for small businesses |
| 6 | Startup Production | 4.8 (48 reviews) | Ongoing website and SEO support for small businesses |
Google ratings and review counts as of September 2026.
1. Overcome Media
Google rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
Location: 921 Beasley St, Lexington, KY 40509
Best for: Roofers, HVAC, lawn care, junk removal, dumpster rental, construction and other trades that live and die by local search
For a trades business, SEO has exactly one job: when someone nearby searches “roof repair near me” or “AC not cooling,” your business needs to show up in the map pack and get the call. That is what we build for.
Our SEO work focuses on the things that move local rankings for service businesses:
- Google Business Profile management, including categories, services, photos, posts and review growth
- Service pages and city pages built for every service and town you actually work in
- On page fixes like titles, headings and internal links that tell Google exactly what you do and where
- Technical cleanup so your site loads fast and gets indexed properly
- Monthly reporting built from Google Search Console, Google Business Profile and local rank tracking, written in plain English
Because we also run Google Ads, Facebook ads, websites and video for our clients, SEO never happens in a silo. The same team that is ranking your service pages is making sure the page actually turns visitors into calls.
What clients say:
Epic Lawn Care is in their third year with us. They started with Facebook ads, and now we handle their Google marketing and built their website too. In their words, we have “definitely helped Epic Lawn Care move the needle forward.” Another client who hired us to build their site said the result “exceeded all expectations,” and another summed up our pricing as “No surprises on price; fair, competitive for the Lexington market.”
Why we ranked it #1: Most SEO agencies measure success in rankings and traffic. We measure it in calls and booked jobs, because that is what a contractor actually cares about. If you run a trade in Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee, we were built for you.
Not the right fit if: You are an e-commerce store, a national brand or a large corporation. The agencies below are better suited for that.
2. BuzzMaven Digital Marketing Agency
Google rating: 5.0 (18 reviews)
Location: 163 E Main St #300, Lexington, KY 40507
Best for: Larger companies that need deep technical SEO expertise
BuzzMaven, led by Scott Clark, has a reputation other marketers talk about. Several reviews come from fellow agency owners and web professionals, and one put it simply: “Scott is who professional web marketers go to” with SEO questions. One reviewer noted that BuzzMaven was upfront that its focus is on much larger companies, which is worth knowing before you call.
Why it ranks here: Serious technical SEO knowledge. Best suited for bigger organizations with complex sites.
3. Newman Digital Strategies
Google rating: 4.9 (35 reviews)
Location: 244 Jefferson St, Lexington, KY 40508
Best for: Businesses that want SEO as part of a broader, data driven plan
Newman Digital Strategies is led by founder Andrew Grimes, who also teaches marketing at the University of Kentucky according to reviews from former students. Clients describe a strategy first approach, with one reporting “noticeable improvements in engagement, brand visibility, and overall performance” in a short time.
Why it ranks here: Strong fundamentals and clear communication, a good fit for businesses that want a plan before they want tactics.
4. McNee Solutions
Google rating: 4.6 (22 reviews)
Location: 2505 Larkin Rd Unit 103, Lexington, KY 40503
Best for: Businesses that need a new website, including e-commerce, built with SEO from day one
McNee Solutions offers web design, SEO and programming, and its reviews center on website builds that actually perform. The standout: a mortgage company owner who said “I received my first viable lead in 16 years from my website” after switching to McNee.
Why it ranks here: A solid pick if your website is the thing holding your SEO back and you need a rebuild.
5. Based Agency Marketing
Google rating: 5.0 (22 reviews)
Location: 110 W Vine St Fl 5, Lexington, KY 40507
Best for: Small businesses that want a website, SEO and design under one roof
Based Agency, led by Daniel, earns praise for website builds, vehicle wrap design and responsive support. One reviewer recommends them for “website, marketing, SEO and social media needs in Lexington and beyond.”
Why it ranks here: Perfect rating and a good all around option for small businesses that want one point of contact.
6. Startup Production
Google rating: 4.8 (48 reviews)
Location: 710 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40502
Best for: Small businesses that want ongoing website and SEO support after launch
Startup Production, led by Nicole, is known for patient, hands on service. Reviewers love their website builds, and one long term client highlighted that Startup “offers continuing services that will only enhance my website” after the site goes live.
Why it ranks here: Great for owners who want a friendly, long term partner for their site.
5 Questions to Ask Any SEO Agency Before You Sign
- “Can I see a client in my industry you have ranked in the map pack?” Rankings you can check yourself beat any case study PDF.
- “Will you manage my Google Business Profile?” For local businesses, the map pack often drives more calls than the website does. An SEO plan that ignores it is incomplete.
- “How do you track calls and leads, not just rankings?” Rankings are a means to an end. You want to know how many customers SEO produced.
- “Who owns the website and content if we part ways?” The answer should be you.
- “What will you do in the first 90 days?” A real agency can give you a specific list. A vague answer usually means a vague plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SEO take to work?
For most local businesses, you should see movement in rankings and Google Business Profile activity within the first few months, with stronger results building over six months to a year. Anyone promising page one in 30 days is guessing.
What is the difference between local SEO and regular SEO?
Local SEO focuses on showing up for searches with local intent, like “plumber near me,” including the Google Maps results. Regular SEO targets broader national or informational searches. Most Lexington service businesses need local SEO first.
Can I do SEO myself?
Some of it, yes. Keeping your Google Business Profile updated, asking every happy customer for a review, and adding photos of real jobs are all things an owner can do. The technical work and page building usually go faster with help.
What is the best SEO company for contractors in Lexington, KY?
We are biased, but Overcome Media was built specifically for contractors and home service businesses. If you run a trade, we would be glad to show you where you are losing calls in local search.
Get a Free Local SEO Check
If you run a blue collar business in Lexington or anywhere in Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee, book a free strategy call with Overcome Media. We will show you where you rank today, who is taking the calls you should be getting, and what it would take to win them back.
Need more than SEO? See our ranking of the best digital marketing agencies in Lexington, KY.