Dative

What Dative does

Dative is a vertically specialized digital agency that designs, develops, and supports custom websites exclusively for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Founded by Chris O'Brien and based in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, the firm primarily serves custom home builders, residential architects, commercial contractors, and design-build firms across New England (Cape Cod, Boston, MetroWest, North Shore, South Shore, and adjacent markets). All websites are custom-built on Craft CMS with full design and code ownership retained by the client, paired with optional SEO, AI/GEO optimization, CRM integration (e.g., ActiveCampaign), and email marketing services.

The company operates a founder-led, high-touch delivery model with a small senior team (Chris O'Brien as Founder & CEO, Diego Costa as Lead Developer). Technology differentiators include proprietary GEO/AIO services that structure client content for AI-powered search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) and three-tier recurring hosting/support plans (Basic $195/mo, Plus $495/mo, Pro $1,495/mo). The firm has completed 100+ website projects and holds multiple industry awards including BRICC Gold/Silver and PRISM Silver awards for client work.

Dative's business model combines one-time project fees ($12,000–$50,000+) with recurring monthly hosting and support subscriptions, supplemented by lead-generation offerings (Website Audit at $697, Preconstruction Planning at $1,495 credited toward full project) and a $500 client referral program. Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, targeting mid-market to enterprise-tier AEC firms with project values of $500K+, and explicitly limits client volume to maintain premium positioning. The company is bootstrapped and privately held with no external institutional investment.

Name

Dative

Legal name

Dative, Inc.

Website

https://hellodative.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dative is a vertically specialized digital agency that designs custom Craft CMS websites and provides SEO, AI optimization, and recurring hosting services exclusively for architecture, engineering, and construction firms across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Design and Development Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Application Data Migration & Master Data Management Services (BPAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Custom web design
• Search engine optimization
• Web development services
• Website hosting support
• Digital marketing agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Barnstable

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Website Design & Development: One-time custom website design and development projects. Projects start at $12,000–$15,000, with most full-scope projects ranging $15,000–$50,000+. Includes preconstruction planning phase ($1,495, credited toward full project) and website audit option ($697). Revenue is recognized upon project completion.
2. Website Hosting & Support Plans: Recurring monthly subscription plans for website hosting, security, maintenance, and optional SEO/email marketing. Three tiers: Basic ($195/mo), Plus ($495/mo), Pro ($1,495/mo). Provides predictable recurring MRR and long-term client retention.
3. SEO & Digital Marketing Services: Ongoing SEO optimization, AIO optimization, email marketing, and performance reporting bundled within support plans or as standalone services. Revenue recognized monthly as part of support plan subscriptions or per-project deliverables.
4. Website Audit Services: One-time website audit engagements priced at $697, including personalized video walkthrough, custom punchlist, and live strategy call. Serves as a lead generation and qualification tool for full-service website projects.
5. Preconstruction Planning Engagement: Structured website planning workshop ($1,495 one-time) delivered virtually or in person. Defines project scope, strategy, specifications, timeline, and firm pricing before development begins. Fee is credited in full toward the full website redesign project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Dative is a specialized digital agency that designs and develops custom websites built on Craft CMS for custom home builders, architects, and construction firms. The agency offers end-to-end services including custom website design and development, strategic SEO and AI Optimization (GEO/AIO), premium managed hosting, ongoing support plans, and CRM/email marketing integration. The firm operates as a long-term partner rather than a transactional vendor, with a focus on measurable traffic, lead, and SEO outcomes for clients in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) vertical.

Product overview

Dative is a custom website design and development firm specializing in serving builders, contractors, and architects. The core product is custom website design and development built on Craft CMS. Related services include SEO/AIO (AI Optimization), hosting and support plans (Basic, Plus, Pro tiers), and strategic planning services including a Marketing Scorecard (free assessment tool), Website Audit ($697), and Preconstruction Planning ($1,495). Projects start at $12,000-$15,000 with typical timelines of 12-16 weeks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 131% increase in total pageviews for SV Design (architectural firm)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Direct Agents: Full-service digital agency offering website design, SEO, paid media, and analytics. Comparable to Dative in integrated digital services but operates across many verticals at a significantly larger scale, positioning it as a broader incumbent.
• WebFX: Large full-service digital marketing agency offering web design, SEO, content, and managed hosting with proprietary technology platforms. Comparable to Dative in offering integrated design + SEO + hosting services, but at much larger scale and across all verticals.
• SmartSites: Larger web design and digital marketing agency offering website design, SEO, PPC, and hosting. Comparable to Dative in core service mix (web design + SEO + hosting) but operates at significantly greater scale across many verticals, making it a broader incumbent rather than a direct niche competitor.

Direct peers

• Ironpaper: B2B digital agency specializing in web design, demand generation, SEO, and marketing automation for niche verticals. Comparable to Dative in vertical specialization, custom website builds, integrated SEO and CRM/automation setup, and consultative sales motion.
• Column Five: Content design and digital agency producing custom websites, infographics, and brand content with a design-led approach. Comparable to Dative in combining custom web design with content strategy and visual storytelling for niche audiences.
• Clay: Digital branding and UX design agency offering web design, branding, and product design for ambitious brands. Comparable to Dative in design-first custom builds, premium pricing, and a multi-disciplinary team that emphasizes brand and digital as integrated offerings.
• Lounge Lizard: Full-service digital agency offering web design, development, SEO, and digital marketing with a premium, brand-focused approach. Comparable to Dative in consultative sales motion, premium project pricing, and integrated service offering spanning design, development, and ongoing marketing.
• Bluecadet: Digital experience design agency producing award-winning websites, interactive exhibits, and digital products. Comparable to Dative in custom CMS-based website builds, design-led approach, and emphasis on measurable client outcomes through analytics and SEO.
• Huemor: Custom web design and development agency of similar size focused on bespoke website builds, brand strategy, and conversion-driven design for B2B and B2C clients. Comparable to Dative in custom-build focus, premium positioning, and services spanning strategy, design, development, and post-launch support.
• Constructive: Design and technology agency specializing in brand, web, and digital products for mission-driven organizations. Comparable to Dative in high-touch bespoke service model, integrated strategy-to-execution delivery, and recurring client relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hellodative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dative