Soap Media
Soap Media is a bootstrapped UK full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2005, serving UK leading brands and global enterprise clients across web design, SEO, PPC, social media and email marketing from offices in Preston and Manchester.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersPreston, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Soap Media does
Soap Media is a privately held, founder-owned UK digital marketing agency founded in 2005 by brothers Markerle and Adam Davis and bootstrapped from inception. The firm is headquartered in Preston (in a Victorian printing-press building purchased with Barclays financial support in 2017) with a second regional office in Manchester, and operates a remote-first model serving clients across Europe, Australia and the United States. Its service portfolio spans the full digital marketing stack: web design and development (WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Sylius), SEO built around its proprietary SUDS methodology, paid media (Google Ads Premier/Elite Partner, Microsoft Advertising, Performance Max), social media management (organic and paid), email marketing, digital PR, and conversion rate optimisation. The agency's value proposition centres on bespoke onboarding, fully transparent project management with custom reporting dashboards built by an in-house data science team, and positioning as an extension of the client's in-house team rather than a transactional vendor. Soap Media targets UK leading brands and global enterprise clients (Money Supermarket, Merlin, Diversey, Redrow, Booths, American Golf, Kukri/JD Sports), with 80% partner retention and over 90% retention post-website-launch. Revenue is generated through retainer contracts, project fees, and managed services; pricing is bespoke and quote-based rather than publicly disclosed. The firm has remained privately held throughout nearly two decades of operation with no disclosed venture capital or private equity investment.
Soap Media firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Soap Media
- Legal name
- Soap Media
- Website
- https://soapmedia.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Soap Media is a bootstrapped UK full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2005, serving UK leading brands and global enterprise clients across web design, SEO, PPC, social media and email marketing from offices in Preston and Manchester.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Soap Media industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Advertising Agencies (54181), Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marketing Technology, AdTech & MarTech Services (BPAFAAAN)
Keywords
Where Soap Media is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Soap Media business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Digital Marketing Services: Multi-channel marketing services including SEO, PPC, social media management (organic and paid), email marketing, and digital PR campaigns. Revenue generated through ongoing retainer contracts and project-based engagements.
- Website Design & Development: Web design, web development, eCommerce development (WooCommerce, Shopify, Sylius), and bespoke software development. One-time project fees with ongoing maintenance and support retainers.
- Website Maintenance & Support: Ongoing website maintenance, updates, monitoring and hosting services. More than 90% of partners remain after launching their websites for maintenance or overall marketing services.
- Email Marketing Services: Email marketing strategy, campaign design, automation schemas, and CRM integration services. Typically generates returns in excess of 40:1 ROI.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Custom project-based and retainer pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Soap Media product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Soap Media is a full-service digital marketing agency that designs, builds, and markets websites for UK and international brands across web design, web development (WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Sylius), SEO, PPC/paid media, social media management, email marketing, digital PR, and conversion rate optimisation. Services are delivered as bespoke engagements with custom reporting dashboards built by an in-house data science team, functioning as an extension of the client's in-house team. The agency combines strategy, creative, and technology under the proprietary SUDS SEO methodology and AI-ready web development practices.
Product overview
Soap Media is a full-service digital marketing agency offering an integrated portfolio of services. The core offering spans web design and development, SEO services, social media management (organic and paid), PPC/paid media advertising, email marketing, and digital PR. Services are delivered through specialised modules including technical SEO, local/international SEO, eCommerce PPC, B2B PPC, Performance Max campaigns, conversion rate optimisation, and programmatic display advertising. The agency operates on a strategic framework (called SUDS) combining diagnostic analysis, UX optimisation, intent mapping, semantic content development, authority building, and continuous evolution. All services are designed to work cohesively as an omnichannel digital marketing strategy rather than isolated offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Web Design Services Responsive web design and development services focused on UX/UI, user-centred design, and SEO-optimised websites for UK brands and global enterprises. Includes research, planning, competitor analysis, user personas, technical scoping, information architecture, and wireframe development.
- Web Development Services Website development across WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, and Sylius platforms, plus bespoke software development, SEO web development, and website maintenance and support services. Built for speed, Core Web Vitals compliance, and AI/LLM discoverability.
- SEO Services Comprehensive SEO services including technical SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, local SEO, and international SEO. Built on the proprietary SUDS seven-pillar methodology: diagnostic deep dive, website S-UX, intent mapping, semantic content, authority amplification, brand signals, and continuous evolution.
- Social Media Management Full-service social media management covering both organic and paid social media strategies. Includes social media audits, audience targeting, content creation, community management, performance tracking, and channel-specific optimisation across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
- PPC / Paid Media Services Pay-per-click advertising management including search platforms, social media advertising, shopping feed optimisation, programmatic display, mobile advertising, remarketing, and attribution analysis. Includes eCommerce PPC, B2B PPC, Performance Max, Microsoft Ads, and programmatic display.
- Email Marketing Services Email marketing automation and campaign management including full customer persona analysis, CRM integration, marketing attribution strategy, and nurture sequences for leads at every stage of the customer journey.
- Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) CRO services integrated with PPC and web development, focused on testing copy, layout, calls to action, and other elements to increase conversion rates and maximise ROI from traffic.
Quantifiable outcome
- 63% More PPC Revenue for YorkTest
- +13 more outcomes
Companies that use Soap Media
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Soap Media technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Soap Media partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Facebook Marketing PartnercoreOfficial Facebook Marketing Partner for social media advertising services across Facebook and Instagram platforms.
- Microsoft AdvertisingcoreMicrosoft Advertising Partner providing access to second-largest advertising platform after Google Ads. Tens of billions in revenue generated for advertisers worldwide through this channel.
- Google AdscoreGoogle Ads Premier Partner since 2005. Achieved Google Elite Partner status in 2021 (invite-only tier). Selected from over 10,000 agencies for Google Elevator Programme in 2016. Managed £1 million+ Google AdWords spend.
- ShopifycoreShopify Partner for eCommerce development. Created custom integrated app for Clogau to automate admin work on Shopify platform.
- Health AssuredminorEmployee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider offering mental health support and wellbeing resources to staff. Available to all team members.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Soap Media competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Custard Online Marketing: UK-based full-service digital marketing agency providing SEO, PPC, content, and design. Direct competitor with similar UK mid-market focus and integrated offering.
- Clicky Media: UK digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social media, and web design with Google Premier Partner status. Closely comparable in size, services, and partner credentials.
- Tug: International digital marketing agency offering SEO, paid media, content, and creative services. Closely matches Soap Media's full-service integrated digital offering and global enterprise client focus.
- Evoluted: UK digital agency delivering web design/development, SEO, paid media, and digital PR. Direct competitor with overlapping service lines and similar UK mid-market/enterprise target customer base.
- Croud: UK-founded global digital marketing agency providing SEO, PPC, content, paid social, and programmatic. Comparable full-service positioning with enterprise clients and a global delivery model similar to Soap Media's.
- Koozai: UK digital marketing agency offering SEO, paid media, content, and web development. UK-headquartered competitor with comparable client mix and integrated agency model.
- The SEO Works: UK-based award-winning digital agency specialising in SEO, PPC, web design, and CRO. Strong direct overlap with Soap Media's service mix, particularly on organic and paid search delivery.
- Hallam Internet: UK-based multi-award-winning digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social media, and web development. Direct competitor in the same UK mid-market/enterprise agency space with similar service breadth and recognition profile.
Broad incumbents
- WPP / Wavemaker: Global media and marketing services network under WPP providing media planning, buying, SEO, content, and analytics. Represents the scaled incumbent alternative enterprise clients may choose over independent full-service agencies like Soap Media.
Emerging players
- Eskimoz: European SEO and digital marketing agency with multi-market presence (UK, France, Germany, Spain). Overlapping on SEO and integrated digital marketing with comparable pan-European client base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Soap Media social profiles
Digital presenceSoap Media financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Soap Media leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Soap Media funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Soap Media M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Soap Media
What does Soap Media do?
Soap Media is a full-service digital marketing agency that designs, builds, and markets websites for UK and international brands across web design, web development (WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Sylius), SEO, PPC/paid media, social media management, email marketing, digital PR, and conversion rate optimisation. Services are delivered as bespoke engagements with custom reporting dashboards built by an in-house data science team, functioning as an extension of the client's in-house team. The agency combines strategy, creative, and technology under the proprietary SUDS SEO methodology and AI-ready web development practices.
Is Soap Media a public or private company?
Soap Media is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Soap Media founded?
Soap Media was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Soap Media based?
Soap Media is headquartered in Preston, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Soap Media make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Digital Marketing Services are the primary driver. The others are website Design & Development, website Maintenance & Support and email Marketing Services.
Who are Soap Media's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Custard Online Marketing, Clicky Media, Tug, Evoluted, Croud, Koozai, The SEO Works and Hallam Internet. WPP / Wavemaker is listed as a broad incumbent. Eskimoz is listed as an emerging player.
Does Soap Media have an API?
No public API is recorded for Soap Media.
What industry is Soap Media in?
Soap Media's product category is Digital Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAAAN, Marketing Technology, AdTech & MarTech Services. Its NAICS code is 54181 and its SIC code is 7311.