About 1st on the List

Leading Canadian SEO Company With a Proven Track Record

We’re 1st on the List — a Canadian SEO team that knows how to get your business seen online. For 28 years and counting, we’ve helped companies of all sizes climb the search rankings, attract more customers, and build real, measurable growth. We make SEO simple, effective, and built to last.

Let’s Talk
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We make SEO work for good so that you start getting the visibility, leads and customers you deserve.

Our clients tell us that what they love about 1st on the List is our integrity, creativity, and professionalism. We can help you achieve your goals and develop a winning Digital Marketing Strategy. Our small but mighty team of 13 has a combined total of 197+ years of SEO experience and expertise. Put us to work for you – because given all the hard work you put into your business you deserve the best!

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CORE SERVICES

Here’s where we really excel.

We believe great businesses deserve to be found. Our SEO strategies help you rise above the noise, reach more customers, and grow sustainably over time.

More About SEO

Your website should work as hard as you do. We design beautiful, high-performing sites that captivate visitors, reflect your brand, and drive real results.

More About Our Websites

The right words make all the difference. We craft meaningful, SEO-friendly content that connects with your audience, builds trust, and turns visitors into customers.

More About Content

Sometimes you need a faster boost. Our paid ad campaigns put your business in front of the right people at the right time — and drive action.

More About Paid Ads
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WHO WE ARE

Talent, Experience, Dedication

We believe in quality over quantity! The 13-member team in our boutique SEO company is proud to offer custom SEO services backed by an unmatched creative, analytical, and technical skill set. We go the extra mile to achieve results, strive to exceed goals and expectations and work to find solutions rather than focus on challenges.

Meet The Entire Team
PEOPLE WE WORK WITH

Industries We Specialize In

From Fortune 500 companies to small business entrepreneurs, our boutique SEO company has helped clients enjoy improved visibility and branding with more traffic, more leads, and more sales. Our oldest client has been with us since 1999 – a testament to the powerful and lasting results we achieve through our hard work and expertise.

  • Logo of Regency Fireplace Products featuring a stylized red flame icon followed by the word "REGENCY" in bold red letters, with "FIREPLACE PRODUCTS" in smaller red text below.
  • Logo of Leavetown.com featuring a stylized mountain with colorful layers in orange, yellow, green, and blue to the left of the website name in blue text.
  • Logo of Turo featuring the brand name in bold, black letters within a stylized arrow pointing to the right. The background is white.
  • Logo of Westland Insurance with a stylized "W" design next to the company name in teal text.
  • Logo with the word "boardwalk" in blue lowercase letters. Above the text is a triangular design composed of five slanted lines, resembling a stylized roof or pathway. The background is white.
  • Image of the Enso Connect logo with the brand name in lowercase blue letters. The word "enso" is bold and larger, positioned above the word "connect." The background is white.

We love helping hospitality brands stand out in a crowded market — attracting more guests, filling more rooms, and turning online searches into real-world bookings.

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We understand tradespeople are busy building — not marketing. That’s why we make it easy to get more leads online and keep your job pipeline full.

Learn More

We get the challenge of cutting through digital noise. Our team helps SaaS companies get noticed, grow user bases, and turn traffic into loyal customers.

Your reputation matters. We help professional service providers build trust online, attract qualified leads, and stand out as the local expert in their field.

In the fast-moving automotive world, we know visibility drives business. We help shops, dealers, and service providers get found and stay ahead of the competition.

We believe in good business doing good. Our SEO and marketing strategies help social enterprises amplify their mission and reach the people who need them most.

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  • Three award badges: "Best Search Engine Optimization Firms 2019" by SEMfirms, "Best SEO Agency 2019" by DesignRush.com, and "Clients say we deliver on Clutch.
  • Three award badges for Canada in 2021: "Top Digital Marketing Agencies - Clutch," "Top Digital Marketing Agencies - The Manifest," and "Top SEO Companies - Clutch.
we're know-it-alls

Important Certifications and Awards

Chances are your competitors are working just as hard as you to create optimized and engaging content, build their backlink profile, and work on other SEO strategies. They likely lack the knowledge and ability to fully audit and monitor the technical end of their website which means you can get a big advantage in this area!

A website SEO audit can help make sure that all parties involved account for SEO best practices in everything they do. Sometimes these parties may not know how their actions affect other parties or how their efforts impact Search Engine rankings (for better or worse). We have even done audits for companies with in house SEO departments!

Now is as good of a time as ever to do a full assessment of your website – to learn its strengths and weaknesses in terms of SEO – and the small changes you can start to make to improve your search visibility.

Now is as good of a time as ever to do a full assessment of your website – to learn its strengths and weaknesses in terms of SEO – and the small changes you can start to make to improve your search visibility.

The more often your website is updated the more opportunity for honest mistakes in important areas that affect SEO. We have found that updating websites often introduces technical issues that can harm your rankings and site traffic.

what our projects look like

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"They gave valuable input – both from a creative and practical stance – to produce an outstanding finished product. I believe that the website truly captures the spirit of our company and the value we offer."

View Project Details
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"Provided a seamless transition from our previous website to our new and improved site. We have seen a steady increase in web traffic and quality leads since first working with 1st on the List. And we continue to see monthly increases through their efforts."

View Project Details
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"Absolutely top notch. They were beyond attentive, efficient and got our website up and running quicker than I could have imagined. They are honest and their pricing is extremely fair."

View Project Details
what we do

What's Different When You Work With Us?

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Sustainable Results That Grow Over Time

A deep understanding of Search Engine history and how Search Engines work enables us to achieve long term results for our clients with scalable growth. We don’t chase the algorithm, we simply aim to understand what it is trying to do and the direction it is headed.

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100% Canadian Owned and Operated

We’re proudly Canadian, with every strategist, designer, and tech expert right here in BC. That means no language barriers, no overseas outsourcing, and real people who get your market—and actually answer your emails. It’s easier, more collaborative, and built for long-term success on your schedule.

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No Locked in Contracts

We don’t believe in holding you hostage. Our work speaks for itself and have found over the years that there’s no need for restrictive contracts. With just a 30-day notice period, you’re free to leave anytime (but our clients usually stick around for years). When results are strong, commitment becomes easy.

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Monthly Reports and Ongoing Correspondence

You deserve to know what’s happening behind the scenes. We send plain-language reports each month and keep in touch regularly so you’re never in the dark. You’ll always know what we’re working on, how it’s going, and what’s next to help you grow. No guesswork. No silence.

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By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

By default, this panel is concealed and appears when the user clicks on the section title. Input relevant information about its title using paragraphs or bullet points. Accordions can enhance the user experience when utilized effectively. They allow users to choose what they want to read and disregard the rest. Accordions are often utilized for frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Are we a good fit?

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Book a Discovery Call
OUR STORY

We are rooted in SEO and have watched it evolve for over 25 years.

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At 1st on the List, we’ve been helping businesses navigate the digital landscape since 1997—before Google even existed!

Back then, SEO was still in its infancy, and our founder, Chris Genge, saw the potential of search engine rankings. Using his engineering background, Chris pioneered early SEO techniques when the impact of a single keyword change could be seen almost instantly. What started as a personal passion project to understand how search engines worked quickly turned into a passion and a business that has grown into one of Canada's leading SEO firms.

While much has changed in the digital world since we started, our commitment to innovation has remained the same. We’ve stayed ahead of every algorithm change and search engine evolution, always refining our techniques to get long-term, scalable results for our clients. We may have decades of experience under our belt, but we’re far from old school.

Our small but mighty team of passionate SEO experts is constantly researching, adapting, and evolving to ensure we’re using the most effective and cutting-edge strategies to help our clients succeed in a fast-moving world.

Today, we’re proud to carry on the legacy Chris left behind, working closely with businesses across Canada to improve their visibility, attract more leads, and build their brands.

We don’t just love SEO. We love watching our clients grow and thrive. From small businesses to industry leaders, we’re committed to seeing every client get the results they deserve through sustainable, results-driven SEO.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

A Lot Of Happy Clients

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  • Logo featuring the word "boardwalk" in blue lowercase letters, accompanied by a stylized blue triangular graphic resembling a boardwalk or roof above the text. The background is white.
  • Logo of Enso Connect featuring the name in lowercase blue typography on a white background.
  • Logo of Evergreen Counseling Services featuring stylized green hills and a tree. The text "Evergreen" is in bold, with "Counseling Services" in smaller letters beneath it. The design conveys a sense of calm and nature.
  • The image shows the word "Hostaway" written in orange script font on a transparent background.
  • Logo of Regency Fireplace Products. The logo includes the word "Regency" in bold red letters, accompanied by a stylized flame on the left side.
  • Logo of Turo in bold black letters on a white background, with an arrow pointing to the right around the text.
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More People Reaching Out To Us

"We’ve noticed an increase in hits on our website, along with the number of people reaching out to us. They took total ownership of the project to make me successful."

Peter Gill - Former President, Huronia Insurance Group Ltd

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Getting More Engagement and Inquiries

"Our website is more productive, and it’s getting more engagement and inquiries. They know my business; they understand what we do and need." 

Ester Gerlof - Owner, Citation RV & Trailers Ltd.

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Brand Awareness + Month Over Month Improvements

"In terms of results, we saw a month-to-month improvement in organic search traffic, with several pieces of content ranking on the first page of Google. We were able to extend our brand awareness."

Protected Identity - Digital Manager, Home Care Provider

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Long Term, Lasting Results

“An incredible company to work with. 1st on the List truly puts their heart over the bar for the work they do for you. They are some of the quickest to respond. They go after long term, lasting results. They provide great reporting and updates. The staff are personable and great to deal with. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking to boost their rankings.”

Travis Dahl

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FAQ’S

Get to Know Us Better

We totally understand – you probably want to know more about who we are and what we're all about before diving in. Here are some of the top questions asked as businesses get to know us. Let’s clear things up and help you feel confident!

We’re proudly based in Abbotsford, British Columbia — just outside Vancouver. Our team is 100% Canadian, with team members working remotely throughout BC. We’ve been serving clients across Canada and beyond since 1997.

You’ll work directly with our in-house team of SEO specialists, website designers, content writers, and paid ads experts. We never outsource — you’ll always know who’s on your team. Meet the entire team here.

Absolutely! We regularly partner with in-house teams to support and enhance their marketing efforts. Whether you need strategy, execution, or technical expertise, we’re here to complement your team.

You can expect honest advice, clear communication, and a proven strategy tailored to your business. We focus on long-term, sustainable results that help you grow with confidence.

No locked-in contracts here. We earn our clients’ trust month after month with real results and great service — not with fine print or long-term commitments. That said, we always remind our clients that SEO and digital marketing is a long-term game. Real, sustainable growth takes time, effort, and consistency. We ask our clients to keep a long-term perspective and trust the process, knowing that meaningful results don’t happen overnight.

While we’re proudly Canadian, we work with businesses across North America and beyond. If you’re serious about growing your online presence, we’d love to work with you.

Send Us Your Questions

Want To Work With Us?

We're ready for you! Your goals are unique, and your SEO strategy and execution should be too. Fill out our form, and we’ll connect to craft a customized plan that drives real results for your business.

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“Your expertise has been a tremendous asset to our company ...  in the last 6 months of 2024, we had larger average job size, qualified leads and some we didn't need to bid and compete for.”
Willson
Keen on Green
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“We have seen a steady increase in web traffic and quality leads since first working with 1st on the List. And we continue to see monthly increases through their efforts.”
David Perkinson
PRI Graphics
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"They have helped my firm grow organic web traffic month over month and their ongoing support and guidance is something you don’t typically receive from other established competitors.
Salvatore Lavorata
Manning Elliott LLP

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