What Aperitif Agency does

Aperitif Agency is a Melbourne-based boutique digital marketing agency founded in 2022 by husband-and-wife team Joe Romeo (Founder and Principal Consultant) and Isabelle Romeo (Co-Founder and Head of Performance Marketing). The firm operates a direct-access service model where clients work directly with senior specialists across SEO, PPC, and social media advertising rather than through account managers, differentiating from larger agency structures. The agency has served over 400 Australian businesses cumulatively since founding, with notable enterprise and mid-market clients including MUJI, Ritz-Carlton, Deakin University, Airwallex, Isuzu UTE, Superloop, Bardot, Jardan, and Leaselab. Headcount sits in the 11-50 range with 94% staff retention since inception.

The agency's service portfolio is structured around three core pillars: Search Engine Optimisation (including specialized offerings in Local SEO, eCommerce SEO for Shopify and WordPress, Enterprise SEO, LLM/AI Optimization for ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini visibility, Link Building, and SEO Copywriting), PPC Advertising (Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, including Google Shopping), and Social Media Advertising (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn). Content Marketing rounds out the offering. The technology stack is services-led rather than product-led - the firm holds Premier Google Partner and Meta Business Partner credentials, Shopify Partner status, and HubSpot Marketplace listing, but does not operate proprietary software products, APIs, or AI/ML models. The firm's LLM Optimization offering applies SEO techniques to AI-mediated search discovery rather than building in-house AI capabilities.

Revenue is generated through monthly retainer subscriptions on a quote-based pricing model, with industry benchmarks indicating SME SEO retainers of $3,000-$5,000+ per month and enterprise clients commanding multiples above benchmark. Geographic coverage spans all Australian states and territories with offices in Melbourne (headquarters, South Yarra) and Austin, Texas (North American base established March 2026). Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, targeting mid-market and enterprise B2B clients in professional services, eCommerce, automotive, gaming, and finance verticals. Distribution combines direct client engagement, consultative sales with free SEO audits, and referral partnerships with web development and creative agencies. The firm has accumulated substantial industry recognition, including Best Global Small SEO Agency (2025), Best Global Start-Up Agency (2025), Best Small Integrated Agency (APAC 2026), and multiple campaign-specific awards.

Name

Aperitif Agency

Legal name

Aperitif Agency Pty Ltd

Website

https://aperitifagency.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aperitif Agency is a Melbourne-based boutique digital marketing agency founded in 2022, offering retainer-based SEO, PPC, and social media advertising services to over 400 Australian businesses, including enterprise clients such as MUJI, Ritz-Carlton, Airwallex, and Isuzu UTE, with a newly established Austin, Texas office.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (541830)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise SEO (Large Sites, Governance, Workflow) (BPAFAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performance Marketing Automation & Bid Management Services (MPAAACAM)

Keywords

• Search engine optimisation
• Pay-per-click advertising
• Social media advertising
• Content marketing services
• Ecommerce seo

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Marketing Retainer Services: Retainer-based partnerships focused on SEO, Google Ads, and Meta Ads management. The primary revenue model is ongoing monthly retainers for integrated search marketing services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aperitif Agency is a boutique digital marketing agency delivering three core service pillars: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, and Social Media Ads management for B2B and eCommerce clients. The agency complements these pillars with Content Marketing, Local SEO, LLM/AI Optimisation (for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini visibility), SEO Consulting, eCommerce SEO for Shopify and WordPress, Enterprise SEO, Link Building, and SEO Copywriting, plus platform-specific Google Ads, Google Shopping, Facebook and Instagram advertising management. Engagement is retainer-based with clients working directly with senior specialists rather than account managers.

Product overview

Aperitif Agency is a boutique digital marketing agency offering a unified service portfolio built around three core pillars: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), PPC Advertising, and Social Media Ads. The agency provides both full-service management and specialised sub-services including Local SEO, LLM Optimisation (for AI-powered search visibility), SEO Consulting, eCommerce SEO (Shopify and WordPress), Enterprise SEO, Link Building, and SEO Copywriting. Platform-specific ad management is offered for Google Ads (including Shopping), Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. Content Marketing rounds out the offering. The agency operates on a direct-access model where clients work directly with senior specialists rather than account managers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Transparent SEO services that build organic traffic and revenue by ranking websites on Google and optimising for LLM visibility. Designed for B2B and eCommerce businesses seeking sustainable organic growth.
• PPC Advertising Pay-per-click advertising management across Google Ads, Meta Ads and TikTok Ads focused on bottom-line impact through sales and high-value leads. For B2B and eCommerce clients seeking immediate, measurable paid performance.
• Social Media Ads Social media advertising across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn combining strategy, creativity and data-driven testing for scalable sales. For brands seeking efficient paid social performance.
• Content Marketing Strategic content creation and marketing services to support SEO, PPC and social campaigns with intent-driven, conversion-focused content.
• Local SEO Local SEO services that bring businesses directly to customers searching in their geographic area, including Google Business Profile optimisation and local pack rankings. For SMBs and multi-location businesses.
• LLM Optimisation Optimisation services to help brands appear in AI-powered search results from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other large language models. For brands seeking visibility in emerging AI discovery platforms.
• SEO Consulting Strategic SEO consulting services embedding consultants into client businesses as an extension of their team for technical fixes and growth planning. For in-house teams needing senior SEO expertise.
• eCommerce SEO SEO services for eCommerce businesses including Shopify and WordPress platforms to push best sellers front and centre and drive consistent checkouts. For online retail brands.
• Enterprise SEO Large-scale SEO services for big brands focusing on ranking protection, reach scaling and category domination. For enterprise marketing teams.
• Google Ads Google Ads (formerly AdWords) management including Search, Shopping, Display, and Performance Max campaigns. For businesses seeking paid search performance.
• Facebook Ads Facebook advertising campaigns and management across the Meta ecosystem. For brands seeking paid social on Facebook.
• Instagram Ads Instagram advertising campaigns and management for visual-first brands. For businesses targeting Instagram audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 56% lift in organic revenue for Simrigs (gaming/simulation industry)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JS MotorsportminorOthers · 1 January 2025Partnership with JS Motorsport for 2026 Monochrome GT4 Australia Championship sponsorship of driver Jensen Shearer. Strategic brand visibility in motorsport.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationPremier Google Partner status with dedicated partner directory listing. Certified expertise in Google Ads management including Search, Shopping, Display, and Performance Max campaigns.
• MetacoreTechnology or IntegrationMeta Business Partner with certified campaign management capabilities for Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationShopify Partner providing SEO and digital marketing services for Shopify eCommerce platforms. Agency has dedicated Shopify SEO service offering.
• ManyRoomsminorOthersCharity partnership through which agency has donated over 2,300 meals. Community impact initiative supporting the charity's mission.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OuterBox: Digital agency focused on eCommerce SEO and paid media (Magento/Shopify) — directly comparable to Aperitif's eCommerce/Shopify SEO service line and shared expertise in Shopify Partner ecosystem.
• Portent: Boutique-to-mid digital marketing agency focused on SEO, PPC, and analytics with strong content marketing emphasis — comparable in service mix and audit-style consultative sales motion.
• Directive Consulting: US B2B-focused SEO and performance marketing agency serving SaaS and mid-market clients — comparable in targeting enterprise buyers with SEO-led retainer engagements.
• Siege Media: US-based boutique content-driven SEO agency of similar size focused on SEO-first growth for mid-market and enterprise brands. Closely comparable in service mix (SEO + content) and boutique positioning targeting senior-attentive clients.
• KlientBoost: Mid-sized performance marketing agency specializing in PPC and paid social (Google Ads, Meta, TikTok) with conversion optimization emphasis — directly comparable to Aperitif's PPC and social ads pillars.
• Single Grain: Digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and content for SaaS and enterprise clients — comparable boutique-style positioning with senior-led delivery model.
• Ignite Visibility: Full-service digital marketing agency focused on SEO, PPC, and social media advertising for mid-market and enterprise clients — overlaps Aperitif's three core service pillars with similar retainer-based delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Rise Interactive: Established full-service digital marketing agency providing SEO, paid media, and analytics to mid-market and enterprise brands — competes for the same client profile but at larger scale with broader capabilities.
• WebFX: Large US digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social, and web design at greater scale than Aperitif — same core services but much wider portfolio and enterprise tier not aligned with boutique focus.

Regional players

• Hallam: UK-based full-service digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, and integrated digital strategy — comparable in scope and boutique positioning but operating in the UK/European market rather than Australia/US.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aperitifagency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Aperitif Agency