Top Digital Marketing Agencies in Johannesburg [2024]

Are you looking for a great digital marketing agency but feel overwhelmed by the massive list of options on Google?

You're not alone. Many people don't know where to begin. Even businesses that are already working with a digital marketing agency but are dissatisfied don't know who to turn to. Better the devil, you know - right!

To help you out, I've compiled a list of Johannesburg's top digital marketing agencies. The list is not exhaustive, but it's a good starting point. 

Key takeaways

• No one digital marketing agency does everything. Choose your digital marketing agency based on your main requirements, and determine it well before looking for an agency.
• Many digital marketing agencies don't deliver digital marketing services well. Do your due diligence. Review their websites, their content, and their design. Evaluate some of their recent reviews. Speak to some of their clients. Do this before you get into the sales process.
• Select a digital marketing agency with a track record in businesses similar to yours.

Two critical digital marketing agency fit factors

Digital agencies are all unique, and not every agency will be suited to your business from two aspects:

• Services: Your requirement might be a new website and content. A digital agency specialising in social media will not do the job right. 
• Cultural fit and maturity: To get the best out of a digital agency, you need to work together closely and place a significant amount of trust in the agency. If your business model is complex - a bunch of youngsters isn't going to move you in the right direction. E.g. A management consultancy selling services internationally vs a local hairdresser.  

Whether you're a small business owner or the CMO of a major South African business or brand, choosing the right digital agency is critical to maximizing the ROI of your investment in the relationship.

I want to ensure you find the best fit for your business and never worry about who you can rely on again.

What sets the top-tier digital marketing agency apart?

As I mentioned above, every agency has its strengths. 

When looking for a digital marketing agency, here are the important factors to consider:

1. Proven Track Record

There is a considerable difference between an agency claiming outcomes and one consistently delivering them for its clients. Have they received industry awards? Are such awards legitimate? 

2. Relevant Experience

Does the agency have clients in your industry? Does it have a track record of successful outcomes in business goals similar to the ones you want to achieve? For example, launching speedy and functional websites, building a steady flow of leads, or working with large corporations and multiple stakeholders.

3. Focused Services

Many digital agencies claim a wide range of services, but you are best suited to go with the agencies whose services align with your top priorities. 'Full Service,' as many agencies claim, often means average to poor results

I'm not saying agencies that offer comprehensive services are all terrible, just make sure they have core specialities. These core specialities supported by additional services can be a killer combo. And its only one agency to manage!

4. Bullish Performance Promises

When you did a Google search, you saw how many digital agencies there are. That's serious competition. Can you imagine what these businesses are prepared to promise you to win your business?

Remain cautious and sceptical of claims that seem overly optimistic. Ask the potential agency to explain how they plan to achieve the promised results, detailing the tools and strategies they intend to use.

5. Benchmarks, Milestones and Reporting

Ask the agency how they measure a project's success or progress on monthly work. Ask what essential project success indicators should be and how they plan to share them with your team. What happens if they underperform? How will they take corrective action?

With those elements in mind, let's take a closer look at Johannesburg's top digital marketing agencies.

Top digital marketing agencies in Johannesburg

We're not the ones to shy away from being entirely honest about our competition.

Sometimes, clients come to us for solutions, and we know that a competitor has better knowledge in an industry or segment. They may be better suited to the client, and we want our clients to be as informed as possible.

So here is a list of some of the digital agencies with great digital marketing skills and a history of consistent delivery in Johannesburg and South Africa. Some are big, and some are small. Each has different core skill sets. You know what you need.

1. MO Agency

MO Agency is a digital marketing agency focusing on websites, marketing and sales campaigns and automation. Our digital solutions integrate seamlessly, manage client interactions, automate repetitive tasks and drive results and accurate reporting.

Additionally, MO Agency is the highest-rated HubSpot agency in South Africa.

We provide our clients with the best digital tools and digital strategy practices to increase leads, traffic, and reach.

We are only a team of 35 with a head office in Johannesburg.

• Best web design and development agency
• Most successful HubSpot partner in SA
• Best integrated sales and marketing campaigns
• Best marketing automation agency in SA
• Experts in organic search (SEO)

Primary services: Web development, sales and Marketing campaigns, automation, HubSpot setup and training, CRM systems, SEO, digital branding, animation, and video.

Homebase: Hyde Park, Johannesburg and a support office in Century City, Cape Town, South Africa

2. Clockwork

Large 100+ employee agency that can handle large consumer brands. They've handled the XBox account for Sony for many years, and have a host of other top consumer brands in thier stable from Standard Bank to Bob Martin pet products.  

Primary services: Activations and events, Public Relations, social, video and animation for consumer brands. 

Homebase: Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa

3. Brave Digital

With an emphasis on staying small, lean and agile using a core team of experts, BRAVE has been able to stay in step with the constantly evolving technology and innovation of the digital landscape and provide exceptional, personalised service to their loyal clients for over a decade.

Primary services: Custom software, game development, apps, web development and integrations to facilitate your marketing efforts.

Homebase: Greenside, Johannesburg, South Africa

4. Lucky Beard

Lucky Beard offers digital product design, development and product ideation. The agency executive is made up of some well-known agency people that have been part of the industry for a long time.

We've worked alongside them on the Investec account for years and can confirm thier great work. 

Primary services: Business design, brand design, product design, experience design

Homebase: Irene, Pretoria, South Africa. They have satellite offices in JHB, Dublin and London.

5. Algorithm Agency

Algorithm Agency offers digital consulting and specialises in search engine marketing. Algorithm Agency works with agencies, SME’s and big business.

Primary services: SEO optimisation, eCommerce optimisation, audits and reporting.

Homebase: Woodmead, Johannesburg, South Africa

6. Flume

Flume describes itself as a full-service digital marketing agency with a singular purpose: To make people aware of your brand, build your reputation, and bring business to your business.

Primary services: If you’re all about creative and PR for consumer brands then Flume could be a good option. Social media management, web design, PR and digital strategy.

Homebase: Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa

7. Top Click

Top Click has been around for over 15 years, and are specialist in Google Ads, Analytics and local business listings. They also manage paid on social media platforms.  

Primary services: Google Ads management and audits, Google shopping, Google Business, social media advertising, SEO and link building. 

Homebase: Glenhazel, Johannesburg, South Africa

8. Rogerwilco

Rogerwilco describes itself as a 51% black-owned CX agency - ensuring user journeys are consistent, sleek and align with your broader strategy.

Primary services: Digital Marketing strategy, creative services, user experience, web development, and performance marketing.

Homebase: Durbanville, Cape Town, but they have a support office in Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Top Tip

The key to selecting a digital marketing agency is to select one with solid skills in the areas you need help with most.

Do an audit of your digital marketing strategy. Rank your issues in order of importance to your digital strategy. Then, look for an agency that can solve those top-of-the-list issues quickly and effectively.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a digital marketing agency in Johannesburg or South Africa, there are eight top Johannesburg digital agencies to consider.

I've outlined thier major digital marketing services and digital strategy proposals as described on thier websites. 

If we might be a good fit for your business, feel free to contact us. Looking forward to hearing from you.