South Melbourne search marketing agency combining SEO, Google Ads and WordPress builds
About Digital Next
Digital Next Australia is a search marketing agency at 133 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne. It works with businesses across Australia, often remotely, and it has a Brisbane office as well. The business began in 2014 as the Australian branch of Digital Next, a Manchester agency founded by Justin Blackhurst. That year, a new Melbourne office opened, led by branch manager Nathan Elly. Elly, Chris Tipper and Steven Lord grew the branch over the next decade. Digital Next UK later sold the Australian division to Maaya Capital in a multi-million-dollar deal. The UK firm kept the brand, which the Australian business now uses under licence. Durga Karra is managing director of Digital Next Australia.
The agency's method starts with search intent and ends with conversion rate optimisation. Its services include managed SEO, local SEO, link building, WordPress and ecommerce SEO, and Google Ads, Shopping and Remarketing. It also runs Bing advertising, Facebook ads, content marketing, blog writing packages, and WordPress design, hosting, security and speed work. The agency's work is split 30% PPC and 30% SEO. Its SEO work is weighted towards link earning (40%), with content development, local search and on-site optimisation making up most of the rest.
The site has no dental or medical page. Healthcare is one of the sectors it serves. That makes it a general search agency, not a dental specialist. A clinic would get the same local SEO, Google Ads and landing page work offered to other local service businesses.
Public proof leans to non-health brands. Clients include MYOB, Decathlon, NordVPN, Qantas, Jetstar and Festool, and the agency has more than 120 Australian brand clients. No dental clients or case studies are published. The six Clutch reviews average 4.3. Reviewers praise easy access to directors, quick replies and proactive ideas. One wanted reports sooner after month end. One 2019 reviewer gave a low score and said link-building tactics broke Google's guidelines. The agency disputed this and refunded the work but not the first month's fee.
Most work is billed as a fixed monthly management fee. Strategies are packaged in six-month blocks with a fixed investment. Typical national hourly rates are about A$75 to A$150. The agency's rate is US$100-149 per hour, with a US$1,000 minimum. Work starts with a free strategy call, KPIs are agreed upfront and reports arrive monthly. The agency does not guarantee results.
Digital Next's Website
Digital Next at a Glance
| Founded | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Team size | 10-49 employees |
| Headquarters | South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Other offices | Brisbane |
| Leadership | Durga Karra (Managing Director, Digital Next Australia); Nathan Elly (General Manager / Head of Growth); Steven Lord (COO / CMO); Rue Wijetunga (Head of Content) |
| Languages | English |
| Pricing | Fixed monthly management fee or retainer. Strategies are packaged in six-month blocks with a fixed investment. Typical market hourly rates are about A$75-A$150. Agency rate US$100-149/hr, with a US$1,000+ minimum project. Three blog package options exist. |
| Contracts & reporting | Six-month strategy blocks. KPIs are agreed upfront. Reports are monthly. No guaranteed results. |
| Tools & partnerships | WordPress; Google Ads; Google Shopping; Bing Ads; Facebook Ads; BigCommerce, Magento and Shopify SEO |
Dental Marketing Services
- Local SEO
- managed SEO and link building
- WordPress SEO
- Google Ads and Google Remarketing
- Bing advertising
- Facebook advertising and remarketing
- landing page design
- blog writing packages
- WordPress web design, hosting, security and speed optimisation
- conversion rate optimisation
Why Dentists Choose Digital Next
- Healthcare is a core sector
- Search-led approach
- Organic and paid together
- South Melbourne office
- Web design included
Key Strengths
- Provides WordPress hosting, security and speed services for practice sites
- Designs dedicated treatment landing pages for paid search campaigns
- Offers blog writing packages for ongoing treatment content
- Runs Google and Facebook remarketing to re-engage potential patients who visited the site
How the DSA Score Breaks Down
Points earned: 36 of 100 (profile 28 × 0.8 + client feedback 13.6). DSA Score: 87/100
What Clients Say About Digital Next
- 3 on review sites
Clients Most Often Praise
- Communication & responsiveness 1
- Clear reporting & honesty 1
- Value for money 1
- Understanding of dentistry 1
Saul Andrew praises quick response to feedback and sensible strategy.
See it on clutch.coAndrew Gerber describes a proactive team always improving.
See it on clutch.coImpressed by the team's knowledge and outcomes.
See it on clutch.coWhere Digital Next Is Listed
Questions Dentists Ask About Digital Next
Does Digital Next have a dental marketing service?
Not a dedicated one. It has no dental or medical page. Healthcare is one of its sectors, and dental clinics get the agency's general local SEO and paid search services.
How do they charge?
Most work is a fixed monthly management fee, with strategies packaged in six-month blocks. Rates are US$100-149 per hour, with a US$1,000 minimum project.
Do they guarantee rankings?
No. The agency does not guarantee results. Instead, it agrees KPIs at the start and reports each month.
What do reviewers say?
The six Clutch reviews average 4.3. Reviewers note quick communication and access to directors. One 2019 reviewer alleged that link-building broke Google's guidelines, which the agency disputed.
Who owns the agency?
It began in 2014 as the Australian branch of Manchester-based Digital Next. It was later sold to Maaya Capital and now uses the Digital Next brand under a licensing agreement.
Reviews of Digital Next
No reviews on this site yet. Have you worked with Digital Next? Your review helps other dentists choose.