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Verified Profile
SmartSites is an award-winning website design and digital marketing agency with a focus on search engine marketing (SEO & PPC). SmartSites was founded by brothers Alex and Michael Melen, who grew up with a passion for all things digital. With an innovative vision and a lot of hard work, SmartSites quickly became one of America’s fastest-growing digital marketing & SEO companies.
Our relentless focus on our clients has led us to over 100 5-star reviews since our inception in 2011. When Dun & Bradstreet asked, "How satisfied do you feel about the quality of service?" we scored a phenomenal 97%. We keep our clients happy by delivering results that exceed their expectations.
Call (201) 870 6000 for a free consultation!
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Locations
United States
45 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 520 Paramus NJ,
New Jersey,
New Jersey
07652
(201) 870-6000
Focus Areas
Service Focus
- Digital Marketing
- Web Development
- Software Development
- Web Designing (UI/UX)
- E-commerce Development
SmartSites Executive Interview
Michael Melen
Co-Founder
Please introduce your company and give a brief about your role within the company?
SmartSites is a leading digital marketing company based in New Jersey. We are a three-time fastest growing company (Inc5000) and top 250 private companies in New Jersey (NJBiz.) I am the Co-Founder.
Mention the objectives or the parameters critical in determining the Digital Marketing Strategy for a client.
Some of our initial questions to a client during a discovery call is:
A. Lifetime Customer Value (i.e., a paid member is $2k in lifetime value)
B. Timeframe (i.e., next board meeting to present results is in 6 months)
C. Budget (i.e., $50k marketing budget)
D. Their Goals (i.e., to make 100 new sales)
From this, we can adequately suggest the proper strategies. For example, if the timeframe is tight – we would lean more heavily towards pay-per-click. Whereas if the goal is to achieve long-term sustainability, we will put more focus on organic SEO.
A. Lifetime Customer Value (i.e., a paid member is $2k in lifetime value)
B. Timeframe (i.e., next board meeting to present results is in 6 months)
C. Budget (i.e., $50k marketing budget)
D. Their Goals (i.e., to make 100 new sales)
From this, we can adequately suggest the proper strategies. For example, if the timeframe is tight – we would lean more heavily towards pay-per-click. Whereas if the goal is to achieve long-term sustainability, we will put more focus on organic SEO.
How does your company differentiate itself from the competition?
Instead of looking at competitors, we focus on providing value to our clients. If anyone researches SmartSites, they will find over 150 client testimonials on how we improved their business. This approach is much more effective and sustainable than comparing ourselves to others. If we can get 5x ROI on your business, what does it matter what gimmicks other agencies are trying to pull?
What industries do you generally cater to? Are your customers repetitive? If yes, what ratio of clients has been repeated to you?
We work mainly with small businesses. While we do have some “one and done” projects, over 90% of our clients are ongoing relationships.
Please share some of the services that you offer for which clients approach you the most for?
We have three core services:
A. Web Design & Development
B. PPC
C. SEO
This makes up a majority of our service offerings.
A. Web Design & Development
B. PPC
C. SEO
This makes up a majority of our service offerings.
What do you find to be some of the most key factors for running a successful agency in the field of Digital Marketing?
An agency is only as good as its people. We acquire and retain the best talent – both for our NJ headquarters and also for our global offices. All of our team leaders have been with us for over 10 years. We are a bunch of extremely hard-working individuals who hold ourselves accountable for our work.
What are the key factors that you consider before deciding the cost of a project?
Paid Advertising: Fee is a percent of marketing spend.
All Others: We follow cost-based pricing. i.e., a 100-hour project would cost a certain amount, regardless of the client’s business or industry.
All Others: We follow cost-based pricing. i.e., a 100-hour project would cost a certain amount, regardless of the client’s business or industry.
What kind of payment structure do you follow to bill your clients?
We price hourly or fixed fee, depending on the scope. If the scope is well-defined, we can give a fixed cost for the project. Otherwise, we charge hourly.
What is the price range (min and max) of the projects that you catered to in 2018?
The price range of the projects that we catered in 2018 is:
Minimum: $1k
Maximum: $250k
Minimum: $1k
Maximum: $250k
Name a couple of activities that you think to provide the best ROI in terms of benefit/impact when it comes to different areas of Digital Marketing.
Recently, Google Ads has been giving clients fantastic returns. The reason is that we are a Google premier channel partner, which allows us to use the latest & greatest in their platform. Enterprise clients are often too slow to keep up with the fast pace of changes in the platform, which gives our small business clients an advantage.
SmartSites Reviews
12 Reviews
- All Services
- Digital Marketing
- Web Development
- Relevance
- Most Recent
- Rating: high to low
- Rating: low to high
Justin Bodenhamer, Founder at Equity Pros
Posted on Jan 08, 2020
GREAT COMPANY
Review Summary
Dylan is amazing, great communication and fun company to work with. Provided great results
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Communication
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
Nothing great company
Jeff Van Blarcom, Founder & Managing Director at The Securities Institute of America, Inc.
Posted on Oct 24, 2019
Securities CE Website and Digital Marketing Partner
Review Summary
I have been working with Matt and the SmartSites team for about a year on website design and development, SEO consulting, and ongoing marketing services. They have a full team of experts who can assist with various stages of the project depending on the specific task. Each person brings a unique idea and solution to the table.
Lara Henawi
Posted on Aug 05, 2019
SmartSites is the best, hands down.
Review Summary
SmartSites is the best, hands down. They've helped our e-commerce store improve in so many ways through their marketing and advertising tools. They are thorough and always available to help and answer any questions that we have. We are extremely happy with their services and are very excited to see what more they can do for us in the future.
Ludovica
Lara Henawi
Ludovica
Lara Henawi
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Very fast turnaround and the results have been amazing!
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
N/A
Jon Barr
Posted on Jul 24, 2019
Event Company Website
Review Summary
I had been looking for some help with online marketing for my event company and got referred to SmartSites by a contact in my industry. I have to say, the Melen brothers went above and beyond! Alex was always available to answer any of my questions and for someone who is a novice with this stuff he really broke down how to get my company and inventory more exposure online.
I can not recommend these guys more!
I can not recommend these guys more!
What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?
Professional, polished-off service with multiple teams working in unseen on my site.
What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?
Nothing, they did an amazing job.
Dr. Leonid Rubinov DDS PHD, Dentist at Real Smile Dental
Posted on Jun 25, 2019
Working with SmartSites was extremely beneficial
Review Summary
I knew there was something that needed to be done with my online presence but I was challenged with what my primary focus should be. SmartSites was able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Michael spent time with me understanding who I wanted my target audience to be. This way, we were able to build a new website and created a strong online presence. Working with SmartSites was extremely beneficial for my practice and I would highly recommend them.
Debra Patane, Account Executive at Advertising Firm
Posted on Jun 21, 2019
SmartSites are by far the most professional
Review Summary
SmartSites are by far the most professional, knowledgeable and efficient company I have ever worked with.
Dr. Alex Rubinov DDS MS, Dentist at Dr. Alex Cosmetic Dentistry
Posted on Jun 19, 2019
SmartSites is knowledgeable, understands your market and exceeds expectations
Review Summary
I have worked with this group for several years. We are in the process of a second website redesign. SmartSites is knowledge, understanding of your market and exceeds expectations. They are more than just a website company, let them show you how they can drive you more business!
What was the project name that you have worked with SmartSites?
SmartSites is knowledge, understanding of your market and exceeds expectations
Glenda Guevara, Account Executive at Automotive Dealership
Posted on Jun 18, 2019
Great attention to detail, and they meet every deadline
Review Summary
I love working with the SmartSites team! Everyone is very knowledgeable, have great attention to detail, and they meet every deadline. They go above and beyond to get the job done. I definitely recommend everyone to them. Thank you team for all that you have done for us!
Anonymous
Posted on Jun 18, 2019
The best digital marketing agency that exists!
Review Summary
Look no further. I have worked with many digital marketing agencies in the past and none of them compare to what you get with SmartSites. Amazing ingenuity; affordable prices; friendly staff; great results... what more can you ask for? I highly recommend SmartSites to any business looking for a digital marketing solution
Chris Anderson, President at Anderson Advertising
Posted on Jun 18, 2019
These guys are the best - plain and simple
Review Summary
These guys are the best - plain and simple. They have the knowledge, capabilities and pleasant professionalism that makes for a great relationship.
Vladimir Byhovsky, Owner at www.StudioEsthetique.com
Posted on Jun 13, 2019
Best digital marketing agency
Review Summary
Thanks to SmartSites’ efforts, cost per acquisition has halved while organic search rankings have increased. Unlike their competitors, SmartSites delivers consistent, high-caliber work that produces results. Transparent and collaborative, they've maintained open communication throughout the process.
Russell Samofal, Owner at Podiatry Center of New Jersey
Posted on May 25, 2019
5 Stars!
Review Summary
I could not be happier with my decision to work with SmartSites. I first talked to Mike when I was just setting up my practice, and now I have multiple doctors and locations. I am very happy with SmartSites and how digital marketing has helped my business.