SEO AGENCY SEARCHES SEE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH ACROSS THE REGION

The marketing and SEO industry across Yorkshire is seeing a surge in demand, with several cities experiencing notable increases in searches for local services. Research by Nomada Digital (https://www.nomadadigital.co.uk/), a York SEO agency, based on Google search trends and Companies House data, shows significant growth across the region, with York standing out. Yorkshire saw an 88% rise in searches for “SEO agency” and a 100% increase for “Marketing agency” when comparing August 2023 to August 2024, placing York among the top performers.

MARKETING DEMAND INCREASES ACROSS YORKSHIRE
York has led the charge with searches for “SEO agency York” doubling over the past year, rising by 100%, from 70 searches in August 2023 to 140 searches in August 2024. Similarly, “Marketing agency York” queries increased by 27%, highlighting growing interest in the city’s marketing sector. However, York’s growth is just one piece of the broader Yorkshire success story.

Cities like Hull have also seen strong demand, with “SEO agency Hull” searches doubling by 100%, while Harrogate recorded a 67% increase in SEO agency queries and a 29% rise for marketing agencies. Sheffield’s digital marketing sector is also gaining momentum, with a 50% increase in “Marketing agency Sheffield” searches. Even though some cities like Doncaster and Wakefield faced declines, the overall picture shows that businesses throughout Yorkshire are increasingly looking to local marketing agencies to boost their growth and digital presence.

YORKSHIRE'S MARKETING SECTOR GROWS, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN
Yorkshire’s marketing industry is not only expanding in terms of online interest but also in the number of businesses setting up shop. York has seen consistent year-on-year growth in new “active” advertising agencies since 2021, recording a 229% increase in new registrations from 2022 to 2023. Meanwhile, Sheffield saw a 175% rise during the same period, with other cities like Hull (78%) and Leeds (124%) also showing healthy growth.

However, the sector faces challenges. Since 2021, a total of 375 advertising agencies across the mentioned Yorkshire destinations have either dissolved, closed, or gone into administration, including 108 in Leeds and 97 in Sheffield. This points to the ongoing economic pressures and market volatility that marketing firms across the region are grappling with.

BUDGET CONCERNS LOOM FOR YORKSHIRE AGENCIES
With the upcoming budget causing concern for businesses, local marketing agencies are calling on policymakers to consider the role they play in supporting the broader business ecosystem. A favourable budget could ensure that York’s marketing sector, along with those in other Yorkshire cities, continues to grow and provides the support needed for local enterprises.

“Yorkshire has the potential to become a real centre of marketing excellence, but it needs the right support to reach its full potential,” said Danny Sullivan, Founder of Nomada Digital. “We hope the upcoming budget will help stabilise and support the sector, allowing agencies across the region to continue delivering value to Yorkshire businesses.”

SUPPORTING YORKSHIRE'S MARKETING SCENE FOR CONTINUED GROWTH
“A strong local marketing sector is vital for supporting Yorkshire’s broader business community,” Sullivan added. “Each city and town in Yorkshire has its own strengths and unique business needs, and the rise in demand for marketing services indicates that businesses are looking for local expertise to help them thrive.”

With several cities in Yorkshire showing positive growth trends, there is potential for the region as a whole to become a more prominent player in the UK’s marketing landscape. Local agencies across Yorkshire are working hard to support businesses in their communities, helping them navigate the digital world and grow their reach.