What to Expect When Working With Us: Our Approach, Standards, and Non-Negotiables

Choosing the right digital marketing partner is key to long-term success. This guide breaks down our approach, standards, and what we expect from our clients—so you know exactly what to expect before working with us. See if we’re the right fit!

Carissa Krause | Last updated March 10, 2025

We love helping businesses grow through SEO, web design, and digital marketing. But let’s be upfront—success in this space isn’t instant, effortless, or free. It’s a process that requires strategy, time, and collaboration.

Not every business is the right fit for us, and that’s okay! If you’re considering working with us, here’s what we believe in, how we operate, and what we expect from our clients.

1. SEO and Digital Marketing Are Long-Term Strategies, Not Quick Fixes

If you’re looking for overnight success, we’re probably not the agency for you.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING?

If these articles are helpful,
imagine what our team
can do for you!

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL >

Let’s identify the quick wins you can easily apply to your website.
Keiran Griffiths
Managing Director

More Traffic. Leads. Business.

SEO and digital marketing are powerful tools for long-term business growth, but they take time. Google doesn’t hand out top rankings in a week, and high-quality leads aren’t generated at the snap of a finger. Our strategies focus on sustainable, long-term results that compound over time—not quick, temporary spikes.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I willing to invest in a long-term strategy instead of expecting instant results?
  • Do I understand that meaningful SEO improvements can take months, not days?
  • Am I patient enough to trust the process?

We Need Your Input—We’re Experts, Not Mind Readers

If you expect us to magically know everything about your business without your involvement, we’re probably not a good fit.
While we bring years of expertise to the table, you are the expert on your business. We rely on your insights, goals, and feedback to create a strategy that fits. The more engaged and transparent you are, the better the results will be.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I willing to provide input on my business, goals, and challenges?
  • Do I have the time or willingness to collaborate on key decisions?
  • Am I open to feedback and strategy discussions?

3. Quality Work Comes at a Fair Price—Not for Free

If you expect rock-bottom prices, free work, or constant discounts, we’re probably not the right agency for you.
Great SEO, web design, and digital marketing require expertise, time, and effort. We price our services fairly and transparently based on the value we bring. If you see digital marketing as an expense rather than an investment, we may not be the best fit.

Ask Yourself:

  • Do I see marketing as an investment in my business growth?
  • Am I looking for the cheapest option, or the best partner for long-term success?
  • Do I value expertise and high-quality work over bargain pricing?

4. SEO Is a Partnership, Not a One-Sided Effort

If you expect us to handle everything while you stay hands-off, we might not be the right fit.
We handle the heavy lifting, but successful campaigns require some effort on your end, too. Whether it’s providing business insights, approving content, or making internal changes (like improving customer service or sales processes), SEO works best when it’s a collaborative effort.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I willing to be involved, provide necessary information, and make requested changes?
  • Do I understand that SEO isn’t just about rankings—it’s about improving my entire online presence?
  • Am I open to making adjustments within my own business if needed?

5. Transparency and Communication Matter—For Both Sides

If you expect results without responding to emails, providing feedback, or staying informed, we may not be the best fit.
We believe in clear, honest communication. We keep you updated on progress, results, and next steps. In return, we expect open communication from you as well—whether it’s feedback on strategy, updates about your business, or questions you need answered.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I willing to stay in the loop and communicate openly?
  • Do I understand that clear communication leads to better results?
  • Am I comfortable asking questions and providing feedback?

6. We Focus on Ethical, White-Hat SEO—No Shortcuts or Shady Tactics

If you want black-hat SEO tricks, fake backlinks, or shady tactics, we’re definitely not the right fit.
We follow Google’s best practices and use ethical, proven strategies to build long-term success. We won’t risk your website’s future with spammy tactics that might get you penalized.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I looking for real, sustainable results instead of risky short-term hacks?
  • Do I trust an ethical approach to protect my brand’s reputation?
  • Do I understand that real SEO takes time, not loopholes?

7. We Value Relationships, Not Just Transactions

If you’re only looking for a one-off service with no long-term relationship, we might not be the best fit.
We believe in building partnerships, not just completing projects and moving on. Our best results come when we work closely with clients who trust our expertise and see us as a strategic partner, not just a service provider.

Ask Yourself:

  • Am I looking for a long-term digital marketing partner or just a quick-fix vendor?
  • Do I value working with an agency that genuinely cares about my business?
  • Am I interested in growing and evolving my marketing efforts over time?

Are We a Good Fit? Let’s Find Out!

If you’re looking for an experienced, ethical, and results-driven team that values transparency, long-term growth, and genuine collaboration, we’d love to chat.

But if you’re expecting instant results, unwilling to collaborate, or looking for the cheapest option, we might not be the right fit—and that’s okay! We’d rather work with businesses that align with our approach and are ready to invest in real, measurable success.

Ready to see if we’re the right team for your business? Let’s start the conversation!

Carissa Krause

Carissa Krause is a Digital Marketing and Project Specialist at 1st on the List. Over the last 13+ years she has worked in our Abbotsford office with clients on a wide range of projects that include areas like local SEO, project reporting, backlink profile review, content development, strategic planning, and more. Whatever the project may be Carissa focuses on achieving greater efficiencies and putting plans into action. When away from her desk you’ll likely find her drinking all the coffee while sitting on the floor driving cars with her three young boys.

Don’t miss out – get newest posts straight to your inbox!


Partner With Us. Get More Leads.

Stop trying to do it all on your own – reach out to our team and we can discuss marketing strategies that are best suited for your business!

[NO HASSLE, NO PRESSURE, NO WORRIES – JUST MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS]

Name*
Consent
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.