Our Abridged Story
The story of Firestorm SEM started back in 2007, when Jonathan Stec wanted to start selling products online as a side business. He did well initially but was eventually forced out by those with much higher budgets and doing things like copying his sites, negative SEO, and even hacking (keep in mind this was a time when you could still run a Google Ad and show one URL yet send users to a totally different URL and when the more spam blog comment backlinks you had the higher you ranked). So, he decided he had enough and wanted to use his new found knowledge to help other businesses grow and took a position at GSI Commerce (now a part of eBay). There he gained big brand experience, working with brands such as GNC, Toys R Us, and Skullcandy.
Eventually he left GSI to pursue other ventures and ended up starting Firestorm SEM in 2011. Firestorm SEM quickly grew into a top SEM agency in Philadelphia, working with local clients such as Rutgers Camden, regional brands like Revelator Coffee, and international brands like Verizon. Firestorm SEM is routinely rated one of the best in Philadelphia and is a Top Rated agency on Upwork.
Firestorm SEM (SEM is an acronym for Search Engine Marketing) is a top rated SEO and PPC hybrid agency based in Philadelphia, PA and specializes in SEO and PPC strategy and execution designed to build client revenue and reduce costs, resulting in overall business growth. Our PPC and SEO work enables our clients to maximize their business and brand exposure on Google and other search engines.
Within SEO and PPC, we have local SEO and local PPC capabilities and experience. We have demonstrated success with ecommerce PPC and ecommerce SEO. We are also a Google Partner in Google Ads, demonstrating our expertise and skills in Google Ads services.
Why Firestorm SEM?
The goal coming into an engagement is to 10x your business. While this is ambitious and results will vary depending on the industry and your business’s size, it is a good starting point. In addition to a focus on growth, efficiency and ROI are always improved. By focusing on these two objectives, your business will grow, just like we have and continue to do for our clients.
As for the actual strategy, Firestorm SEM is an award winning Google Ads Partner, demonstrating expertise and skills in Google Ads services. Google Ads allows you and I to fully leverage Google (where over 100,000 searches are done per second) and advertise to and attract people looking for exactly what you offer. Even though our go-to is Google, Firestorm SEM is also a Microsoft Ads Partner as well. So if we do need to expand (which will happen as your business grows), we can increase your coverage that much more with Microsoft’s properties.
Firestorm SEM also partners with and utilize tools such as Unbounce and CallRail, which allows us to optimize and scale with lightning speed. These tools are an integral part of Conversion Rate Optimization, which allows us to drive ROI on a continued positive trendline. We then top it off with custom reporting. During our relationship, we keep you up to date on work done with our project management tool, Teamwork, and have regular meetings and communication with you.
OUR CORE VALUES
Our Agency
Firestorm SEM is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA in the Valley Forge Casino. Despite this, Firestorm SEM is still mostly a virtually based agency, meaning that most of the work is done remotely. In this day and age, we do not see a need to have a large, expensive office that wastes resources and increases costs for clients. With the direction the world is going (wireless, digital, tech) a virtual operation only makes sense. And the team behind Firestorm SEM loves the freedom that a virtual approach brings while not feeling like they need to be in an office in order to get work done.
Despite being a virtual agency, things like Skype, Snapchat, and even the good old fashioned phone allow us to stay connected and have that face-to-face time. We still make time to get together when possible and celebrate the important things. The virtual model has never hindered our work and has never been a weakness. We find that it is not only a strength but also puts us ahead of the curve and trend of what agencies will eventually adopt.
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The Right People In The Right Jobs
The people make the company. Learn about our people.
Founder, Lead Digital Strategist
Jonathan actually enjoys this SEO and PPC stuff! And when he isn’t working with clients or his own brands, he is spending time with friends, family, and his dog. He is a classic 16 bit Nintendo connoisseur and spends way too much time in the gym, running trails, and swimming where ever he can.
Managing Director
Mark brings over 10 years of digital marketing experience, starting at an ecommerce bathroom supplier and moving to one of the largest agencies in the USA. His passion outside of the office is spending time with his family and sports…do NOT try and debate him about sports! He is a walking almanac.
