The Marketing Department

What The Marketing Department does

The Marketing Department (legal entity TMD Services LLC) is a privately held, founder-led WordPress website development and digital marketing agency headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, operating since incorporation in February 2011. The firm designs, builds, and maintains websites for small and medium-sized businesses, professional practices (medical, dental, legal, accounting), trades, retailers, industrial/manufacturing firms, non-profits, and independent consultants. Core service lines include custom and semi-custom website design and development on WordPress (using Divi, Elementor, and WooCommerce), monthly maintenance and support plans, Search Engine Optimization and Local Search Optimization, Pay-Per-Click management on Google Ads and Facebook, content marketing, and traditional marketing services such as radio, TV, print, direct mail, and video production. The firm has cumulatively served more than 200 clients and developed more than 135 websites, led by Managing Director Cary Baskin (40 years of marketing experience) and a core team of approximately 4 members including a Project Manager, a Google Ads/HubSpot-certified specialist, and an Elementor/Shopify/WordPress-certified developer.

The business model blends one-time fixed-price project revenue (website builds with multi-installment payment options) with recurring monthly subscriptions (maintenance, SEO) and managed-services revenue (PPC with setup fee + monthly management fee + ad-spend pass-through). Annual hosting plans ranging from approximately $199 to $400 are resold through WP Engine, SiteGround, and GoDaddy, where TMD also acts as a domain reseller. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, with a free in-person or Zoom consultation as the primary conversion touchpoint, supported by SCORE Speakers Bureau lectures, workshops and webinars, organic content marketing through the public Knowledge & Design Center (900+ page layout templates), Google reviews (5.0 across 19 reviews), and client referrals. Technology is built entirely on commodity third-party platforms (WordPress, WooCommerce, HubSpot, MailChimp, Google Workspace) with no disclosed proprietary software, API, or AI/ML capability; the only internal IP of note is the curated Knowledge & Design Center template library and standardized project specification framework that documents scope and price upfront. The firm operates as a self-funded lifestyle agency with no external investors, no acquisitions, and no disclosed revenue.

Primary customer concentration is low, as the active and historical client base is fragmented across many SMBs and a diverse set of industries (professional services, dental/medical, insurance, manufacturing, e-commerce, non-profits, consultants). All named customers are small businesses or sole proprietors (e.g., Ohler Insurance, Surface Coatings Inc., Century Cabinetry, Wallace Cranes, ChromLab, Glen Mills Dental, Phoenixville Dental, ARRO Consulting, PrimeCFO, Above-Grade Tutoring, The Osteosarcoma Collaborative), with no enterprise logos or anchor accounts disclosed. The project-based pricing model (typically fixed-price per build, plus optional monthly retainers for maintenance/SEO/PPC) and a 200+ client cumulative count further distribute revenue risk. The implication is low concentration risk but correspondingly limited revenue predictability per individual client and meaningful churn exposure as SMBs turn over or underinvest in marketing during downturns.

Name

The Marketing Department

Legal name

TMD Services LLC

Website

https://tmdmalvern.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Marketing Department is a Malvern, PA-based WordPress website design, development, and digital marketing agency serving small and medium-sized businesses, professional practices, trades, retailers, non-profits, and consultants across the Delaware Valley and selectively nationwide since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Malvern

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Website Design & Development: Fixed-price website development projects ranging from basic 5-page brochure sites to large catalog or e-commerce sites. Projects are priced individually based on scope, with flexible payment options including deposits and installment plans.
2. Website Maintenance & Support: Monthly maintenance plans covering WordPress, theme, and plugin updates, backups, speed optimization, and PHP updates. Plans are sized based on website complexity and offered as maintenance-only or maintenance-plus-support tiers.
3. SEO & Local Search Optimization Services: SEO Basic service for indexing, plus ongoing SEO campaigns to achieve page-one rankings. Local Search Optimization includes Google & Bing Business Listings, Google Map Listing, and directory citation management.
4. Pay-Per-Click Advertising Management: PPC campaign management with a one-time setup fee, monthly ad budget, and monthly management fee. Includes Google Ads (search, remarketing, display network) and Facebook advertising campaigns.
5. Content Marketing Services: Content development including on-page copy, downloadable content (articles, case studies, white papers, e-books), blog posts, social media posts, videos, and e-catalog/e-commerce content. Can be one-time projects or ongoing editorial calendar-based campaigns.
6. Traditional Marketing Services: Radio, TV, print, and direct mail advertising, email campaigns, graphic design services, and video production. Provided as standalone or bundled professional services.
7. Website Hosting: Annual website hosting services through WP Engine, SiteGround, and GoDaddy, ranging from approximately $199 per year to around $400 per year depending on service level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Marketing Department is a WordPress website development and digital marketing agency that designs, builds, and maintains websites for small and medium-sized businesses, professional practices, and non-profits. Core offerings include custom and semi-custom website design and development, ongoing website maintenance and support, SEO and local search optimization, pay-per-click advertising management, and content marketing services. The agency also provides traditional marketing services such as radio, TV, print, direct mail, email campaigns, graphic design, and video production.

Product overview

The Marketing Department is a WordPress-focused website development and digital marketing agency offering a portfolio of services centered on website design & development, website maintenance & support, and internet marketing. Their core service offerings include custom and semi-custom website design using WordPress CMS with page builders (Divi, Elementor), and adding functionality through WordPress plugins. Their internet marketing services encompass Search Engine Optimization (SEO with both basic and comprehensive tiers, plus Local Search Optimization), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising on Google Ads, and Content Marketing (copywriting, blogs, videos, downloadable content). They supplement their services with a Website Design Options Center providing 900+ page layout templates, and Workshops & Webinars on marketing topics. The company operates as a service-based agency rather than a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Website Design & Development Custom and semi-custom website design and development services using WordPress CMS with page builders (Divi, Elementor). Includes e-commerce websites, lead generation sites, brochure sites, and nonprofit fundraising websites for small and medium-sized businesses, professional practices, trades, retail, and non-profits.
• Website Maintenance & Support Monthly maintenance plans and support services for WordPress websites, including WordPress/theme/plugin updates, backups, speed checks, PHP updates, security monitoring, and optional editing and enhancement services.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) SEO services including SEO Basic (title tags, meta descriptions, alt tags, Google Analytics installation) and comprehensive SEO to help websites rank on page one of search results. Also includes Local Search Optimization (LSO) with Google/Bing Business listings and directory citations.
• Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising Google Ads and Bing pay-per-click campaign management including setup fees, monthly ad budgets, and management fees. Services include search, remarketing, and display network campaigns.
• Content Marketing Content creation services including website copy, downloadable content (articles, case studies, white papers, e-books), blog posts, social media posts, videos, and dynamic e-catalog/e-commerce content for lead generation.
• Website Hosting Annual website hosting services offered through WP Engine, SiteGround, and GoDaddy, ranging from approximately $199 per year to around $400 per year depending on service level and provider.
• Traditional Marketing Services Radio, TV, print, and direct mail advertising, email campaigns, graphic design services, and video production. Provided as standalone or bundled professional services.
• Workshops & Webinars Educational presentations covering Internet Marketing, SEO, Website Development, and Marketing ROI topics, delivered in-person and via Zoom webinar to chambers of commerce and SCORE audiences through the SCORE Speakers Bureau.

Quantifiable outcome

• Client reported generating sufficient leads from Google search to sustain business operations, crediting TMD's SEO program.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SCORE Speakers BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerManaging Director Cary Baskin is a member of the SCORE Speakers Bureau, a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through this partnership, Cary lectures frequently on Internet Marketing, SEO, Website Development, Maximizing ROI in Marketing, and Branding. Presentations are sponsored by SCORE and local chambers of commerce, serving as both a thought leadership channel and a primary client acquisition driver for TMD.
• GoDaddyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTMD is a GoDaddy reseller for domain name registration and hosting services. The company offers GoDaddy pricing to clients for domain name purchases and can facilitate account creation and management, providing an added convenience service as part of website project delivery.
• Google (Analytics, Ads, My Business)coreTechnology or IntegrationTMD leverages multiple Google products including Google Analytics for website traffic and visitor behavior analysis, Google Ads for pay-per-click advertising campaigns, Google My Business for local search optimization, and Google Search Console for SEO monitoring. Google Ads certification is held by team member Andy Evanko.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WebFX: Direct peer — large SMB-focused digital marketing agency offering website design, SEO, PPC, and content services with a heavy emphasis on WordPress and recurring managed services for small and mid-sized businesses.
• Thrive Internet Marketing Agency: Direct peer — full-service digital marketing agency providing web design, SEO, PPC, and content marketing primarily to SMBs across multiple verticals, with comparable service mix and recurring maintenance offerings.
• OuterBox: Direct peer — digital marketing agency specializing in e-commerce web design (including WooCommerce and Shopify), SEO, and PPC for small and mid-sized retailers and manufacturers, comparable to TMD's e-commerce service line.
• Big Drop Inc: Direct peer — web design and digital marketing agency focused on custom websites, SEO, and branding for SMB and mid-market clients, with a similar full-service agency model and creative-led positioning.
• SmartSites: Direct peer — SMB-focused web design and digital marketing agency offering WordPress websites, SEO, PPC, and content services to small and mid-sized businesses, mirroring TMD's core offering and customer segment.
• Coalition Technologies: Direct peer — web design and SEO-focused digital marketing agency building custom and e-commerce websites for SMBs with managed SEO and content marketing, similar in service mix and recurring revenue emphasis.
• Lounge Lizard: Direct peer — website design and digital marketing agency serving SMB and mid-market clients with web design, SEO, PPC, and content services, comparable in service breadth and recurring support offerings.
• Straight North: Direct peer — B2B/SMB digital marketing agency delivering web design, SEO, and pay-per-click services to small and mid-sized companies, with a comparable mix of project work and ongoing managed services.

Emerging players

• KlientBoost: Emerging player — digital marketing agency with strong focus on pay-per-click and conversion optimization for SaaS and SMB clients; overlaps with TMD's PPC management services but is more channel-specialized.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Fountain Media: Broad incumbent — larger, established digital agency offering web design, branding, and digital marketing across enterprise and SMB segments; comparable in service mix but with broader portfolio and greater scale than TMD.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CaryBaskinTMD
• Facebookfacebook.com/brightideasforwebsites
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/carybaskin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 The Marketing Department