Founder-led Johannesburg SEO and website consultancy for small service businesses
About Preferred Marketers
Preferred Marketers is a small marketing consultancy in Johannesburg that concentrates on websites, search engine optimisation and visibility on Google for service-based businesses. It has 2 to 9 staff, and its whole service focus is SEO. The firm now runs its main site on the preferredmarketers.co.za domain, and the older .com address forwards there. The business dates to 2021.
Gift Shava founded the firm and is the only named person, though he works with a team behind him. He writes the blog himself. His articles cover law firm marketing, what SEO costs a small South African business, and how long SEO takes to show results. Together they show how the firm works and what clients can expect.
The main offer is a Website and Google Growth Package. The order of work is set: the website and its SEO structure are built or repaired first, and only then are ongoing content, local visibility work and Google Ads added. The first month goes to technical fixes, indexing, slow pages, broken links and mobile issues. Around month three they expect movement on realistic keywords and early leads for local businesses, and by month six steadier rankings and enquiries. A complete Google Business Profile, local keywords, service pages and internal links are treated as the base of local SEO. Clients get a project manager, regular updates and a monthly performance report.
The firm has no named dental or medical clients. Its markets are law firms, accountants, plumbers, electricians, contractors, transport, security, removals and pool companies. For a dental practice this is a generalist local SEO provider used to small professional firms rather than a healthcare specialist. The closest fit is a single-location practice in Gauteng that needs a rebuilt website and steady local search work and is comfortable dealing with a very small, founder-run team.
On Clutch the firm holds a 4.9 rating from 8 reviews. Seven projects were in South Africa and one in Zimbabwe, and all were under $10,000. Reviewers return to the same points: low cost for the quality, regular updates, and being kept involved without having to manage the work. One law firm saw a clear rise in enquiries after a small spend. Several of the Clutch reviews name Shava Consulting, another name the firm is known by in South Africa.
The hourly rate is $50 to $99. The firm does not publish its own package prices or contract terms. In South Africa, small-business SEO retainers usually run from about R3,500 to R10,000 a month, with starter local SEO at roughly R2,000 to R5,000, and quotes often exclude 15% VAT.
Preferred Marketers' Website
Preferred Marketers at a Glance
| Founded | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Team size | 2-9 employees |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Leadership | Gift Shava (Founder) |
| Languages | English |
| Pricing | $50-$99 per hour; all reviewed projects were under $10,000. No own packages published. Typical South African SEO retainers run about R3,500-R10,000 per month (starter local SEO R2,000-R5,000). |
| Contracts & reporting | Ongoing monthly management offered; dedicated project manager; monthly performance reports. No contract length published. |
| Tools & partnerships | Google Business Profile; Google Ads |
Dental Marketing Services
- Website build or redesign
- technical SEO fixes
- on-page SEO and service pages
- local SEO
- Google Business Profile optimisation
- ongoing content writing
- Google Ads support
- monthly reporting
Why Dentists Choose Preferred Marketers
- Google Business Profile work lifted an electrical firm's local activity
- Africa Mindshift Trust is a client
- 4.9 from 8 Clutch reviews
- Rates of $50 to $99 an hour
Key Strengths
- Offers practices options rather than imposing a single solution
- Sets up analytics and coaches practice owners on their digital marketing
- Optimises a practice's Google Business Profile to boost local patient activity
- Handles website redesign and SEO so practice owners need not worry
How the DSA Score Breaks Down
Points earned: 45.8 of 100 (profile 37 × 0.8 + client feedback 16.2). DSA Score: 89/100
What Clients Say About Preferred Marketers
- 6 on review sites
Clients Most Often Praise
- Dental website design 6
- Higher Google Maps & local rankings 3
- Value for money 2
- Communication & responsiveness 1
In ShortSmall law firms and trades praise efficient, hands-off SEO and website work with month-on-month improvement and good value. 5 of the 8 Clutch reviews name 'Shava Consulting'.
Law firm using them for SEO and a website revamp; very satisfied and sees steady monthly improvement.
See it on clutch.coElectrical contractor praises how efficiently they handle its SEO and website redesign, so the owner doesn't have to worry about either.
See it on clutch.coLaw firm says its website redesign and SEO have gone perfectly and are good value for money.
See it on clutch.coShow 3 more client reviews
- Maphuti Carl Komape, Founding Director, MCK Accountants: Accounting firm got a new website and analytics setup and valued the team's adaptive approach of offering options instead of imposing solutions. Clutch, Aug 6, 2020
- Selwyn Lichtenstein, CEO & Owner, SGL Business Academy: Business academy got website development and digital marketing coaching, with a smooth workflow and easy communication. Clutch, Aug 1, 2020
- Buti Sigasa, Managing Director, Sigc Pty Ltd: Client had its interactive website refined and a YouTube channel set up, and would recommend them; this review is rated slightly lower than the others. Clutch, Jul 22, 2020
Where Preferred Marketers Is Listed
Questions Dentists Ask About Preferred Marketers
Has Preferred Marketers worked with dental practices?
They have no named dental or medical clients. Their client base is law firms, accountants, trades and other local service businesses.
What do they do first for a new client?
They fix or rebuild the website and its SEO foundation first. Ongoing content, local visibility work and Google Ads are added after that base is in place.
How soon would a practice see SEO results with them?
They plan technical fixes in the first 30 days, traction on realistic keywords around 90 days, and steadier rankings and leads by about 180 days.
How big is the team?
The team has 2 to 9 employees. Founder Gift Shava is the only named person.
What do they charge?
The hourly rate is $50 to $99, and every reviewed project was under $10,000. The firm does not publish its own package prices.
How do they report on progress?
Clients receive monthly marketing reports and updates from a dedicated project manager.
Reviews of Preferred Marketers
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