Kuala Lumpur SEO and Google Ads firm working on quarterly KPI-based retainers
About Cleverus Agency
Cleverus is the trading name of Cleverus Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, previously called Illuminance Sdn Bhd. The company began in retail and moved into digital marketing in 2013. Its head office is on Level 28 of The Gardens South Tower in Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, and it has a second office in Anilao, Iloilo, in the Philippines. The team of about 20 works in English, Chinese and Malay.
In a 2021 interview, head of growth Lawmence Wong explained the background. He trained as an optician and ran an optical chain with outlets in the Klang Valley, including Mid Valley, KLCC and Bangsar, before turning a side line in digital marketing into the main business. He wanted a more open alternative to agencies that kept clients in the dark yet expected full payment.
Services today are SEO, generative engine optimisation for visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews, Google Ads, ChatGPT Ads and web design. The firm offers free SEO audits, a website checker tool and unlimited keyword targeting, and it publishes location pages for states such as Selangor, Penang, Terengganu and Perlis. It specialises in local SEO for Malaysian businesses.
The commercial model has shifted over time. In 2021 pricing was performance-based, with the client paying once an agreed KPI was met. Today the firm uses a quarterly retainer with KPIs set at the start of each quarter and flexible terms without long lock-ins, and it makes clear that no agency can promise rankings. An RM 5,000 grant is offered to the first client signed for SEO.
There is no dental or clinic page. Healthcare and Wellness is one of six client categories, and Sunway Home Healthcare is among its clients. Published case studies cover Ninja Van Singapore, Allianz, Domino's Singapore, Mah Sing, Cellini, Sutera Mantanani, Tankformator and ACM, and one unnamed client had a 382 percent rise in clicks over 12 months. A dental group would be relying on general local SEO experience rather than sector work.
Awards include Excellence in Digital Marketing Agency at the Malaysia Digital Business Awards 2018, Digital Marketing Consultancy of the Year Asia from the ACQ Global Awards 2019, the Star Outstanding Business Awards 2019 and the Global Business Leadership Awards 2020. It is a Google Premier Partner for 2026. It is rated 5 out of 5 on Endorsal from 137 reviews, 111 of them from Google. Reviewers say Cleverus is not the cheapest but gives good value, focuses on profit rather than only return on ad spend, advises where not to spend, and shares knowledge freely through audits and strategy sessions, often naming a team member called Donn. Most of those reviews are several years old.
Cleverus Agency's Website
Cleverus Agency at a Glance
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Team size | About 20 employees |
| Headquarters | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Other offices | Anilao, Iloilo, Philippines |
| Leadership | Lawmence Wong (Head of Growth as of 2021) |
| Languages | English, Chinese, Malay |
| Pricing | No published price list; packages tailored to goals and budget. Quarterly retainer with KPIs. Promotional RM 5,000 grant for first signed SEO client. |
| Contracts & reporting | Quarterly retainer with KPIs set each quarter; no long-term lock-in; services can be scaled up or down; free SEO audit. |
| Tools & partnerships | Google Premier Partner 2026 |
Dental Marketing Services
- Local SEO
- location and area pages
- SEO audits
- generative engine optimization
- Google Ads management
- ChatGPT Ads
- web design and development
Dental Clients & Results
- Unnamed client: +382% clicks (12 months)
Why Dentists Choose Cleverus Agency
- Local SEO and wider digital marketing
- Area pages for each branch
- Rates of $100 to $149 an hour
- Projects from $1,000
- 4.9 from 65 Google reviews
Key Strengths
- Offers a pay-for-results model for practices wary of fixed retainers
- Teaches practice owners the basics of Google Search Ads
- Creates area pages for each branch of a multi-location dental practice
- Helps practices rank in local search for patients in their own area
Awards & Recognition
- Excellence in Digital Marketing Agency, Malaysia Digital Business Awards 2018 (MDCC)
- Digital Marketing Consultancy of the Year Asia, ACQ Global Awards 2019
- Most Outstanding SME Digital Marketing Agency Malaysia, Acquisition International 2019
- Star Outstanding Business Awards 2019
- Digital Marketing Company of the Year, Global Business Leadership Awards 2020
- 100 Best Companies to Watch Out For, Exeleon Magazine 2020
How the DSA Score Breaks Down
Points earned: 43.1 of 100 (profile 34 × 0.8 + client feedback 15.9). DSA Score: 89/100
What Clients Say About Cleverus Agency
- 6 on Google
- 1 on review sites
- 1 on its website
Clients Most Often Praise
- Higher Google Maps & local rankings 3
- Clear reporting & honesty 2
- Dental website design 1
- Value for money 1
In ShortReviewers praise professionalism, SEO expertise, results-orientation and transparency, and often cite free training/masterclass sessions with Donn.
Wee Han LEE calls Cleverus the most results-oriented, honest and transparent digital marketing agency they have worked with.
See it on endorsal.ioNigel D. reports a significant improvement in website rankings after engaging Cleverus two years earlier.
See it on endorsal.ioMohd Zayn praises a free Google Search Ads masterclass and says results beat their previous agency's.
See it on endorsal.ioShow 5 more client reviews
- Damian D'souza calls Cleverus the best digital marketing agency they have hired. Google, 4 years ago (as of October 2026)
- HolidayInnPTY says the team is professional and offers everything needed in an SEO service. Endorsal, 4 years ago (as of October 2026)
- Jaime Yong highly recommends Cleverus as an SEO services agency. Google, 5 years ago (as of October 2026)
- Samind values the pay-for-results model. Google, 4 years ago (as of October 2026)
- Andreas Dorn describes the Cleverus team as efficient, friendly, responsive and customer-oriented. Agency website
Where Cleverus Agency Is Listed
Questions Dentists Ask About Cleverus Agency
Has Cleverus worked with dental clinics?
There is no dental page. Healthcare and Wellness is one of their client categories, with Sunway Home Healthcare among their clients.
Do they offer pay-for-results pricing?
In 2021 clients paid once agreed KPIs were met. Today they use a quarterly retainer with KPIs set each quarter, and they make clear no agency can guarantee rankings.
Are there long contracts?
No. Contracts are flexible with no long-term lock-in, and services can be scaled up or down.
What do reviews say?
They are rated 5 out of 5 on Endorsal from 137 reviews, mostly from Google. Reviewers mention good value rather than low price, honest spending advice and free audits and strategy sessions.
Where are they based?
Their head office is in The Gardens South Tower, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, with a second office in Iloilo in the Philippines.
Reviews of Cleverus Agency
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