Small SEO firm wins UK award after dramatic client turnaround
A small but highly specialized SEO agency has secured the top prize at the British Agency Awards 2026, earning recognition for its work in helping trades and construction firms strengthen their digital footprint. Slingshot Marketing, headquartered in Congleton, Cheshire, was named SEO Agency of the Year after delivering a transformative project for a struggling specialist trades business. The agency’s achievement stems from a single case study involving a southern England-based client that had previously invested heavily in SEO without achieving meaningful outcomes.
Before collaborating with Slingshot, the client’s website attracted just one Google click during the three-month period leading up to their new site launch on June 22, 2026. By August of that year, that figure had skyrocketed to 108 clicks, accompanied by 15,200 impressions. The client’s average search ranking improved dramatically, moving from position 77 to 15.
Under Slingshot’s guidance, the business now ranks for 50 search terms, with 33 of those appearing in the top 10 results. Within just 90 days, the agency generated over 30 inquiries, including a lead from a company the client had actively pursued for three years. The director described the turnaround as “crazy,” admitting it had made him reassess missed opportunities over the past three years.
The agency distinguishes itself from larger competitors by managing all aspects of a project in-house, including website development, SEO, and Google Ads, without relying on external contractors. Founders Charlie Shaw and Patrick Carragher emphasize a methodical, data-driven approach, creating service-specific pages tailored to how customers search for solutions. Their client-centric strategy has already produced over £1.8 million in additional revenue for businesses by enhancing their online performance.
Shaw and Carragher acknowledged the award with pride but emphasized their dedication to client results over accolades. Shaw stated, “We’re really proud to have been awarded this. Seeing client results on a screen is one thing, but getting a beautiful trophy is something else.” Carragher added, “I’m honoured that we’ve been selected for this award. But most of all, I’m proud of the results we’ve delivered for our clients that got us there. This will only inspire us to keep doing more.”
