Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 20.12.2024 
You’re probably thinking, Another agency blog about awards? Yawn. Fair enough. But stick with me.
Neither Zeal Digital nor its writer play by the rules. Which rules, you’re wondering.
You know the ones.
The tried-and-tested formulas.
The ones that give safe and easy wins.
That’s not Zeal Digital.
Who We Are
I’d like to say we’re the set-your-own-rules kind of people. Let me show you what I mean by that.
Prime Hardware’s struggle against market giants like Bunnings and Amazon AU was real. Playing it safe? Not our style. We took on giants like Bunnings and Amazon AU when no one else would. Through tailored SEO strategies, targeted advertising, and a deep understanding of their audience, we gave them a fighting chance. The result? We turned a shoestring budget into a market-disrupting force, earning our client a revenue of $231K and a 42% impression share in auctions against Bunnings.
Conventional wisdom? Overrated. No one bets big on a business making $797.60 through online sales. So, when GT Auto came to us with a modest budget and an online presence that barely registered on the radar, we pulled out all the stops to empower their business. By rethinking SEO strategies, aligning keywords with their core audience and tweaking their content until it resonated with exactly what their potential customers were searching for, we took GT Auto to $260,780.35 in sales—an unprecedented 32,595% leap. Underdogs? We love ‘em!
Most would say a poached brand is a lost cause. But when our former client, Cheapestiles, returned to us, they were reeling from their previous agency’s errors—penalties from toxic backlinks, spammy content, and even a site reputation hit. We broke the rulebook to reverse the damage. Rebuilding their reputation with white-hat SEO principles, our complete turnaround—7M+ impressions and 50,000+ clicks—took just under 7 months! Second chances? We make them count.
Tough year for retail in niche markets? We defied the odds. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported minimal growth in the broader retail sectors, a 0.6% drop in sales for clothing, footwear, and personal accessories, and a 0.3% drop for department stores. Even the Good Guys saw a 40% drop in sales. Many agencies were pulling back, but not us. Despite the odds, our multi-channel strategy earned our client, Urban Culture, over $400K in revenue and a 917% ROAS.
From hard work to high fives, our results speak for themselves. We’re not saying we always get it right. But being shortlisted for 5 APAC Search Awards 2025 proves we’re on the right track. It reinforces our innovative strategies, constant tweaking, and the drive to stay ahead. Are we surprised with the nominations? Absolutely floored! Because it’s not about us. It’s about the brands we work with and the results we deliver together.
Awards Are Nice, But This One Feels Special
It wasn’t too long ago that we celebrated our sixth anniversary. On that milestone day, our directors reflected on the journey and shared something that perfectly sums up our outlook. Our success isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in how we’ve grown as a team, how we’ve empowered our clients, and how we’ve built something that continues to challenge the status quo.
So, as we raise our glasses to five finalist nominations for APAC Search Awards 2025, we’re reminded of the people who made it possible: the clients who challenge us, the team that never stops, and the relentless search strategies that help us keep climbing. Don’t get us wrong. We’ve been nominated before. And we’ve won as well. But this year’s nominations feel special because it’s not just about reflecting on our accomplishments or impact. It’s about looking at 2025 as the year we pivot from being the new agency on the scene to formally becoming industry contenders.
