Birmingham small-business SEO, PPC and web agency led by Marcus Miller
About Bowler Hat
Bowler Hat is a small search, paid media and web agency in Birmingham, England, based in unit 112 of the Zellig building at the Custard Factory on Gibb Street in Digbeth. Marcus Miller is marketing director and lead strategist; he has worked in search for more than 25 years, writes about SEO and AI for Search Engine Land and publishes the Visibility Paradox newsletter. Jon Miller leads PPC and client accounts, and the team also includes a web developer, a content writer, a designer and two SEO and PPC consultants.
The agency is built around small businesses and start-ups. Their process is to learn the client's objectives, research and write a plan, then deliver it alongside the client. They use their own planning frameworks, including MAP for marketing action plans, ALCHEMY for website planning, ASC for AI optimisation and REP for campaign planning. Services include local SEO for Google Search and Maps, multi-location SEO, content-led national SEO, an authority-building process based on E-A-T, SEO audits, Google Ads, web design and WordPress hosting, graphic design, social, conversion work, and GDPR and WCAG compliance.
Dental is not a speciality, but they have one dental case study: Bright and White Dental, a dental spa in London. Bowler Hat rebuilt its website on WordPress, merged content that had been spread across three platforms, added landing pages linked to the blog and contact forms, made the site mobile responsive and carried out on-site SEO. The rebuild was finished in about two weeks, and the client can now manage its own content. No traffic or ranking figures are published. Practices that want a general local search and web partner, rather than a dental-only firm, are the closest match.
The agency is a Google Premier Partner and works with Google Ads, Google Analytics and Bing Ads. It has had media coverage in The Drum, Search Engine Land, Moz, The Sunday Times and the BBC's Make It Digital. Clients include Seven Capital, Park Regis and Luvdup.
Reviews are a strength, with roughly 150 Google reviews averaging 4.9. Reviewers mention responsiveness to both small and large requests, smooth website launches and migrations, practical suggestions on design and content, ongoing monthly SEO relationships and plain explanations of SEO for non-specialists.
Prices are not published. Pricing is affordable rather than cheap, and there are no long contracts. Projects start under $1,000, and the average rate is about $50 per hour. A free SEO audit, free digital marketing review and a 30-minute consultation are offered to new enquiries.
Bowler Hat's Website
Bowler Hat at a Glance
| Team size | Under 50 employees (seven named staff) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Birmingham, England, UK |
| Leadership | Marcus Miller (Marketing Director and Lead Strategist); Jon Miller (PPC Consultant and Accounts Lead) |
| Languages | English |
| Pricing | No published prices; affordable not cheap. Minimum budget under $1,000 and an average rate of about $50 per hour. |
| Contracts & reporting | No long contracts; free SEO audit, free digital marketing review and free 30-minute consultation. |
| Tools & partnerships | Google Premier Partner; Google Ads; Google Analytics; Bing Ads; WordPress |
Dental Marketing Services
- Local SEO for Google Search and Maps
- multi-location SEO
- SEO audits
- content and authority building
- AI search optimisation (GEO/AEO/AIO)
- Google Ads and Bing Ads
- WordPress website design, development and hosting
- conversion rate optimisation
- social media
- GDPR and WCAG compliance
Dental Clients & Results
- Bright and White Dental: WordPress rebuild consolidating three platforms, new landing pages and on-site SEO, completed in about 2 weeks (no metrics published)
Dental Practices They Have Worked With
- Bright and White Dental (London)
Why Dentists Choose Bowler Hat
- Office in Zellig at the Custard Factory, Digbeth
- Google Premier Partner for paid search
- Offers a free SEO audit and 30-minute consultation
- Rated 4.9 from 153 reviews on DesignRush
- Provides GDPR and WCAG compliance services
Key Strengths
- Gives honest, expert advice to clinics, as a physio clinic client describes
- Answers every practice question and brings fresh ideas, reviewers say
- Offers practices a free SEO audit and initial consultation call
- Runs Google Ads as a certified partner to bring patients to dental clinics
Awards & Recognition
- Google Premier Partner
How the DSA Score Breaks Down
Points earned: 49.3 of 100 (profile 43 × 0.8 + client feedback 14.9). DSA Score: 90/100
What Clients Say About Bowler Hat
- 4 on Google
Clients Most Often Praise
- Value for money 2
- Clear reporting & honesty 1
- Understanding of dentistry 1
- Communication & responsiveness 1
In ShortClients value honest expert advice, responsiveness and good-value website work. Includes a physio/rehab client.
Rehab/physio clinic praises honest expert advice given without a fee.
See it on poyst.comChose Bowler Hat as most responsive with the best ideas and excellent value.
See it on poyst.comVaughan Allcock says the website created was exactly what they hoped for.
See it on poyst.comShow 1 more client review
- Sarah Pearson notes every question gets answered. Google, 1 year ago (as of October 2026)
Where Bowler Hat Is Listed
Questions Dentists Ask About Bowler Hat
Has Bowler Hat worked with a dental practice?
Yes. Their case study covers Bright and White Dental, a London dental spa, for which they rebuilt the website on WordPress and carried out on-site SEO. No performance figures are published.
Do they lock clients into long contracts?
No. There are no long contracts. Prices are not published, and new clients start with a free audit or consultation.
Who leads the SEO work?
Marcus Miller, the marketing director, leads strategy and has more than 25 years in search. He writes an SEO and AI column for Search Engine Land.
Can they help with Google Maps visibility?
Yes. Their local SEO service aims to make businesses visible in Google Search and Maps, and they offer multi-location campaigns for businesses with several sites.
What do reviewers say about them?
Around 150 Google reviews average 4.9. Common points are responsiveness, smooth website launches and clear explanations of SEO.
Reviews of Bowler Hat
No reviews on this site yet. Have you worked with Bowler Hat? Your review helps other dentists choose.