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Rank Higher. Get Found. Grow.
Portland's craft food and beverage scene dominates local search results for almost every keyword category. Portland SEO for non-food businesses means carving out commercial visibility in a market where restaurants and breweries flood the SERPs. I focus on the search terms your actual customers type, not the ones foodies compete over.
Sound familiar?
Portland's restaurants, food carts, and craft breweries dominate local search results the way Denver's beer scene does in Colorado. Non-food businesses need deliberate, category-specific SEO to surface above the culinary noise.
Portland searchers actively avoid anything that feels corporate or mass-market. If your search snippets, meta descriptions, and content read like generic marketing copy, Portland consumers will scroll right past you to find something more authentic.
Portland's east side and west side of the Willamette River might as well be different cities for search purposes. Customers in the Pearl District rarely search the same terms as customers in Hawthorne or Alberta. Your SEO strategy needs to account for these geographic micro-markets.
Before you hire anyone
Most businesses get burned by SEO at least once before finding someone who actually delivers. The industry is full of agencies that sell promises instead of results. Before you sign anything, watch for these:
No one controls Google's algorithm. Anyone promising specific positions is either lying or using shortcuts that will get your site penalized. Ask what happens when the guarantee "fails." Spoiler: nothing, because the guarantee was never real.
Ask: "Show me a client who went from X leads to Y leads." If they pivot to traffic charts instead of revenue numbers, they're hiding something. Traffic that doesn't convert is just noise.
If they need 12 months before you can leave, ask yourself why. Good SEO shows measurable progress within 60 to 90 days. Long contracts protect the agency, not you.
If your monthly report is a PDF full of jargon with no clear explanation of what changed and why, you're paying for a black box. You deserve to understand every dollar spent.
"You're ranking #3 for a keyword!" Great. Did anyone call? Rankings that don't turn into business are a vanity metric. Ask how they measure success. If the word "revenue" never comes up, keep looking.
Your "dedicated SEO manager" forwards your work to a team who's never seen your city, your competitors, or your market. Your business deserves someone who understands your local market.
Ask directly: "How do you build backlinks?" If the answer is vague or involves buying link packages, you're one Google update away from disaster. Cheap links are expensive when Google catches them.
Search for "SEO services" plus their city. If they're not on page one for their own service in their own market, why would your results be any different?
What I've learned working with small businesses in Portland
Portland's fiercely independent culture shapes how consumers discover and evaluate every business. The 'Keep Portland Weird' ethos means authenticity isn't a buzzword here; it's the baseline expectation. Neighborhoods like the Pearl District, Alberta Arts District, Hawthorne, and Division each carry distinct personalities that influence local search behavior. The city's craft food, beverage, and artisan economy dominates local search results, making it critical for non-food businesses to carve out their own search visibility with hyper-specific, neighborhood-level content.
Complete brand identity for a Pacific Northwest finish carpentry contractor. Logo design, color palette, typography system, and full asset suite including truck wraps and job site signage.
Always Included in Every SEO Package
Nearby results
Projects from Oregon markets showing the range of work I do locally.
Complete brand identity for a Pacific Northwest finish carpentry contractor. Logo design, color palette, typography system, and full asset suite including truck wraps and job site signage.
Rebrand that took them from local jobs to projects across 3 states
Proven across markets
The same strategies I bring to Portland, delivering results in other markets.
158 organic keywords with #1 positions for ProstatID and core brand terms
249 organic keywords and #1 rankings for core brand terms plus top-5 positions for high-search-volume speaker names
0 to 31 organic keywords with multi-location visibility across Sacramento metro
#1 for brand term, top 5 solar keyword positions, and $285/month organic traffic value
Professional B2B digital presence for a contractor with $1B+ in property acquisitions
From zero brand to 250+ organic keywords and #1 rankings for San Antonio art searches
Why work with me
Every recommendation backed by search data, not guesswork. I show you the numbers.
Technical SEO, content strategy, link building, and local optimization, all working together.
Clear reports showing rankings, traffic, and leads. No jargon, no hiding behind vanity metrics.
158 organic keywords with #1 positions for ProstatID and core brand terms
249 organic keywords and #1 rankings for core brand terms plus top-5 positions for high-search-volume speaker names
0 to 31 organic keywords with multi-location visibility across Sacramento metro
#1 for brand term, top 5 solar keyword positions, and $285/month organic traffic value
Professional B2B digital presence for a contractor with $1B+ in property acquisitions
From zero brand to 250+ organic keywords and #1 rankings for San Antonio art searches
698 organic keywords and #1 rankings for key security training terms
From zero Google keywords to 70+ rankings in just two months
Google did.
I didn't learn SEO from a blog. I worked with Google directly. They featured me on their Google Activate program all over Europe. If Google trusted me to represent them, you can trust me to rank you on them.
"Kristian listened to me from the beginning and provided a detailed plan for social media, emails, and my website. He lets you give feedback and works with your ideas, but if something doesn't fit, he tells you why. Thanks to his work, my website receives much more traffic, social media engagement is up, and emails perform much better than before. You can communicate with him in English or Spanish, which is very helpful. I highly recommend Kristian from Kreaktive!"
"We have been working with Kristian at KREAKTIVE for 4+ years now. They have designed more than 40+ websites for us and our clients - always impressive. The designs are fresh, creative, and always spot on. You won't regret working with Kristian"
"His keen eye for detail, innovative approach, and user-friendly designs have transformed my online presence. Since the launch of the new site, my sales have skyrocketed, and customer engagement has doubled. Kristian didn't just deliver a website; he delivered a game-changing asset to my business. If you're looking to elevate your digital footprint, Kreaktive is your go-to web designer!"
"I am extremely satisfied with the work done by this graphic design company! They have perfectly captured the essence of our casual fusion food restaurant through their creativity and professionalism. The corporate identity they have created for us is fresh, modern and totally unique, perfectly reflecting what we wanted to convey. In addition, the menu design is simply spectacular, with a visually appealing presentation that has received praise from our customers. I would without hesitation recommend the services of this company to anyone looking for exceptional graphic design work!"
"Working with Kreaktive for our marketing was our best choice! Kris is attentive and very creative to our company's ever changing dynamics. Our digital visibility has skyrocketed!"
"KREAKTIVE consistently excels in their website design work by creating visually stunning and user-friendly designs and website interfaces that go above and beyond. I'd recommend them to everyone!"
"Kreative is knowledgeable, professional, and thorough with their marketing strategies. Kris' support with our website and digital marketing has strengthened our branding as a company and generates solid organic leads! Thanks Kreative!"
"I would only trust the best with a project this big and Kristian exceeded all expectations. Flawless and creative designs that are well thought out. I will definitely keep coming back with other projects down the line."
"Kristian makes amazing websites!! I highly recommend his services."
"The best content creator, branding, and logo specialist in Colorado Springs"
"I worked with Kristian on my company's branding and website, and the experience was fantastic. He creatively guides you and offers multiple options until you find the perfect fit. He's always available and attentive to any changes or concerns you might have. He explains the entire process and functionality of your website every step of the way and is 100% available to answer any questions. I would definitely recommend him for his creativity, availability, and professionalism."
"I couldn't be more satisfied with Kristian's work in creating my clinic's website. His knowledge is top-notch. At first, I struggled to understand the process, but thanks to his patience and experience, everything came together perfectly. The result is very, very good: a functional, attractive website perfectly tailored to my needs. He's also always willing to help and contribute valuable ideas. If you're looking for someone who truly knows what they're doing and will be 100% involved in your project, Kreaktive is the best choice. Highly recommended! Thank you for your work :)"
More services in Portland
People are asking ChatGPT who to hire. Are you the answer? If not, you need:
Appear when people ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity for recommendations. The new frontier of search.
Is your website getting you new clients? Can you handle more? If not, you need:
Fast, beautiful websites that convert visitors into customers. Built for performance and designed to impress.
People judge your business in 5 seconds based on how you look. Do you look pro? If not, you need:
Stand out from competitors with a memorable brand identity that resonates with your ideal customers.
8 steps. No mystery. No confusion.
Figure out how you make money
Before touching your website: which services are profitable? Which calls do you want more of? How do people currently find you? If I don't know what a "good lead" looks like, SEO turns into guesswork.
Make sure leads can be tracked
Call tracking (which calls came from Google), form tracking, lead tracking events. If I can't see calls turning into money, everything else is noise.
Fix what quietly costs you leads
Pages that load too slow, confusing service descriptions, missing trust signals (reviews, photos, credentials), contact info buried or inconsistent. A small fix here often produces more revenue than months of "content."
Go after searches that mean business
Emergency and high-intent searches, location-specific intent, problem-based queries. I'd rather rank for 10 keywords that produce calls than 1,000 that don't.
Build pages people actually want to read
Service pages that answer real buyer questions, location pages that prove you're actually local, content that reduces doubt and gets the phone ringing.
Make Google trust you more
Cleaning up citations, strengthening your Google Business Profile, earning real links and mentions, building authority. No tricks. No shortcuts. No spam.
Watch what turns into money
Rankings checked. Traffic monitored. But calls and booked jobs matter most. If something brings wrong leads, I adjust. If something works, I double down. SEO isn't "set it and forget it." It's steer and correct.
Straight talk
No fluff reports. "This page is working, let's expand it." "These calls aren't closing, intake needs fixing." "This keyword looks good but isn't worth the effort." If something isn't paying off, I say it.
No hidden fees. Here's what seo costs.
Starting at
That's just $93/day/day
Claim the territory before your competitors wake up
Ideal For You If
Best When
Your competitors are NOT doing SEO
When someone searches for what you do, they see outdated websites, slow-loading pages, and businesses that have not published content in years. This is a land grab. GET FOUND claims the territory before they wake up.
Starting at
That's just $183/day/day
Outpace competitors who are already investing in SEO
Ideal For You If
Best When
Your competitors ARE doing SEO
Your top competitors are publishing content and optimizing aggressively. Matching their effort keeps you stuck at positions 6 through 10. To displace them, you need to outpace, not just compete.
| Feature | GET FOUND | GET AHEAD |
|---|---|---|
Content | 8 articles/month | 20 articles/month |
Keywords Tracked | 50 | 200 |
Pages Optimized | 20 core pages | Unlimited (30-50+) |
Strategy Calls | Bi-weekly (30 min) | Weekly (1 hr) |
Competitive Analysis | Once at start | Weekly monitoring + updates |
Reputation Management | 1 free month | 1 free year ($770 value) |
Support | Priority (same business day) | Same-day priority |
Timeline to Results | 45-60 days measurable ranking movement | 30-45 days measurable improvements |
Expected Leads (Month 6) | 1-3 qualified leads/month | 5-10 qualified leads/month |
Content
GET FOUND
8 articles/month
GET AHEAD
20 articles/month
Keywords Tracked
GET FOUND
50
GET AHEAD
200
Pages Optimized
GET FOUND
20 core pages
GET AHEAD
Unlimited (30-50+)
Strategy Calls
GET FOUND
Bi-weekly (30 min)
GET AHEAD
Weekly (1 hr)
Competitive Analysis
GET FOUND
Once at start
GET AHEAD
Weekly monitoring + updates
Reputation Management
GET FOUND
1 free month
GET AHEAD
1 free year ($770 value)
Support
GET FOUND
Priority (same business day)
GET AHEAD
Same-day priority
Timeline to Results
GET FOUND
45-60 days measurable ranking movement
GET AHEAD
30-45 days measurable improvements
Expected Leads (Month 6)
GET FOUND
1-3 qualified leads/month
GET AHEAD
5-10 qualified leads/month
Why DMS?
An honest comparison so you can decide what's right for your business.
Direct access. Real rankings.
From $2,800/mo
Reports without results.
$3,000-$10,000/mo
Tools without the strategy.
Semrush $130/mo + 10-20 hrs/wk
"Two agencies couldn't get us past page 3. Kristian got us to #2."
#13 to #2 in 60 days
Colorado business owner
You want rankings that drive revenue, not just reports. Direct access to a strategist who's accountable for results, backed by a money-back guarantee.
You have the time to learn SEO properly and don't mind a slower ramp. Tools like Semrush give you data, but you'll need to learn how to act on it.
You need large-scale SEO across many domains or markets. Be prepared for contracts and the reality that your project may land on a junior's desk.
Based on published SEO pricing from Colorado agencies (March 2026). 18 agencies researched Including Boulder SEO Marketing, Peaks Digital, RedBrick Web Solutions, Volume Nine, Clicta Digital, and 3 others.
Month-to-month. 30-day proof period with full refund.
Common questions
Portland SEO typically requires $2,500-$5,000/month depending on your industry. The craft and artisan economy keeps competition moderate, but Portland's skeptical consumers demand authentic content that generic SEO strategies cannot produce. The investment reflects the need for quality: Portland customers research thoroughly before buying, and your content needs to match that standard.
Most Portland businesses see meaningful ranking improvements within 3-6 months. Many Portland businesses still rely heavily on word-of-mouth and underinvest in SEO, which creates real opportunity for those willing to invest. The craft-first culture means your content needs to feel authentic, not templated. But once it does, Portland's engaged consumer base rewards it with loyalty and referrals.
Moderately to highly competitive, depending on your industry. Portland's crowded small business and artisan scene means lots of businesses are competing for the same local searches. The good news is that many Portland businesses still rely on word-of-mouth and underinvest in SEO, which creates opportunity for those who do invest.
Every month follows a structured cycle. Week 1: fresh content targeting your highest-value keywords. Week 2: technical fixes based on monitoring. Week 3: authority building through citations, backlinks, and directories. Week 4: reporting and strategy call where I show you what moved, what it means, and what comes next. You always know what I am doing with your investment.
Yes, if it is done right. One client, a bathroom remodeler in Colorado Springs, eliminated $120,000 in annual ad spend after SEO became their primary lead source. Another e-commerce client cut $2,400/month in Google Ads after ranking for 1,100+ keywords organically. When you stop paying for ads, the leads stop. SEO keeps compounding.
Your customers are already searching Google for what you sell. If they find your competitor instead of you, that is revenue you lose every day. SEO puts your business in front of people actively looking for your services. Unlike social media, SEO catches them at the moment they need you. For local businesses, it also controls whether you show up in Google Maps.
Ask three questions. First: can they show real client results with verifiable names? Second: do they lock you into a long contract? If they need 12 months to prove value, red flag. I work month-to-month. Third: will you work with the person doing the work, or get handed to a junior? I do strategy and execution myself.
I do four things. Technical SEO: making your site fast, mobile-friendly, and crawlable. Content: writing pages targeting what your customers actually search for. Local SEO: optimizing your Google Business Profile, building citations, and managing reviews. Authority building: earning real backlinks so Google trusts your site. Every month you get a report showing what I did and what moved.
Day 1 to 7: full technical audit (50+ checkpoints), Google Business Profile review, and competitor analysis. Day 8 to 14: tracking setup and first technical fixes go live. Day 15 to 21: first optimized content published, citation building starts. Day 22 to 30: baseline report showing where you started, what changed, and the roadmap ahead. By day 30, you know if this is working.
Google judges your website by its mobile version. If your site is slow, hard to read, or frustrating on a phone, you are being ranked on that experience. Here is how to fix it.
Most SEO reports are designed to look impressive, not to tell you if SEO is making you money. Here is what a useful report actually includes, which metrics to ignore, and 5 questions to ask your agency.
Starting from zero with SEO is overwhelming. There are hundreds of guides, tools, and opinions. Here is the actual order that works, from a 15-year practitioner who has helped businesses go from invisible to page one.
I hear the same SEO myths every week on sales calls. Keyword stuffing, guaranteed rankings, SEO is dead. Here are 13 myths that cost small businesses real money, and the truth behind each one.
“Working together has been incredibly easy, and the result has left my website/portfolio exactly where I wanted it: clear, professional, and very much me. She understands your needs, contributes...”
Let's talk about where you stand and what it takes to outrank your competition in Portland.
Your strategist
Founder & Lead Strategist at Digital Marketing Services
Ranked #1 freelance web designer by Clutch. 17+ years building websites and SEO strategies that bring real results for small businesses.
Try it risk-free. If you don't see real progress in 30 days, I'll refund every cent.
