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A small department for the Google stuff.

We spent years building websites and doing SEO for small businesses. Now we've made the Google side our specialty.

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The Ranking Dept.

Why we started the Dept.

For years, we've built websites and helped small businesses with just about everything online. Along the way, SEO became the work we enjoyed most. We love seeing research, design, and development come together to bring businesses more calls, customers, and sales.

Our background in programming gives us the freedom to tackle technical challenges, build our own tools, and find creative solutions. We take the fundamentals seriously, but don't believe there's always one right answer. Sometimes the best ideas come from looking at things a little differently.

That's why we started the Ranking Dept. We can't promise first-place rankings or a certain number of leads, but we can promise thoughtful work, honest communication, and a clear explanation of what we're doing, why, and what the results tell us.

Drew RockmoreFounder, The Ranking Dept.

What do you stand for?

A few rules we keep.

They're on the wall so we don't forget them, and so you can hold us to them.

House rules

  1. Communication that works for you.The big picture or the finer details. We'll keep you informed and explain what matters.
  2. No promises we can't keep.We're honest about expectations, uncertainty, and results. If something doesn't work, we'll tell you.
  3. Stay curious.There's always something new to learn, test, or improve. We explore fresh ideas while keeping our decisions grounded in evidence.
  4. Think beyond rankings.Real people visit your website. Their experience matters just as much as getting them there.
  5. Beyond the monthly report.We don't just report the numbers. We look at what they mean for your business and use what we learn to plan our next move.
  6. You own your stuff.Your website, your content, your accounts. They belong to you, not us.

The Ranking Dept.

Can you handle my website?

We build websites, so we can fix yours.

Our background in web development means fewer hand-offs, less waiting, and someone who can actually make the changes.

  • Find the problem.

    Our technical background lets us dig deeper into your site, your listing and your tracking, and work out what's actually wrong.

  • Make the change.

    We can make most fixes on your site ourselves, whether it runs on WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow or custom code.

  • Something that fits your business.

    When an off-the-shelf option doesn't fit, we can build one that does: a page, a form, or a small tool.

  • Inquiries land where you'll see them.

    We look beyond the contact form, helping make sure inquiries get captured, delivered, and noticed.

Anything else I should know?

Straight answers.

What people ask us about working together.

Who will I actually talk to?

Someone who works on your account, not a salesperson. You'll know who to ask, and they'll know your business.

Where are you based?

Norfolk, Virginia. We work with small businesses across Hampton Roads and further afield, mostly by call and email.

What kinds of businesses do you work with?

Mostly local ones: trades, shops, clinics, salons, cafes. If customers look you up on Google before they call or walk in, we can help.

Why "department"?

Because that's how we work: like a department inside your business that looks after one thing, the Google side, so you don't have to.

Something else? Ask us

Sounds like me. How do I start?

What's on your pile?

Write down whatever's bugging you about Google. We'll reply by email, arrange a free call, and take it from there.

Rather email?

A real person replies, usually within a day.

No pressure, no jargon.