I looked at 23 digital marketing agencies on the Sunshine Coast. Most of their websites were useless.
Here’s the problem: You can’t tell if an agency is good from its website. Everyone says they get great results. Nobody shows you anything concrete. Half of them look like they bought the same template.
So I checked what each agency actually puts on their website before you have to book a call. Real work examples. Actual client names. Team members. Any hint about what things cost.
This won’t tell you who’s best. But it’ll show you who’s worth calling.
How To Choose The Best Agency
I split the agencies into three ways:
Shows Their Work – They put examples on their site. You can see projects and client names.
You’ll Have To Call – Vague websites. Might be great, but good luck figuring that out beforehand.
Somewhere In Between – Some transparency, some mystery.
For each one I’m telling you:
- What’s actually on their site
- What you won’t know until you call
- Who they might work for
And look, even agencies that show everything might not suit your business. This is just about what information they make available.
Agencies That Show Their Work
1. Websites That Sell
Websites That Sell is a digital marketing agency specialising in Web Design, Development, SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads and Social Media Marketing servicing Australian business owners across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast & the Gold Coast.
What they show: Founded by David Krauter in 2013. They’ve run 134 campaigns specifically for Sunshine Coast businesses. Office in Forest Glen. Team operates from Sunshine Coast with satellite offices across Australia.
Two detailed case studies with actual numbers: E-commerce store went from local sales to $7,000/week purely from SEO (216.85% growth). Construction company went from 5 leads/month to 40 leads/month, 5X business growth overall.
Google Ads case study: 2,000+ leads in 90 days at $16 per lead. Another client went from $11K to $52K monthly sales.
They list pricing upfront: SEO averages $2,285/month, social media starts at $2,000/month, websites from $5,000, Google Ads management from $495/month. Hourly rate is $150+GST.
What you won’t know: Current client list (they show results but not all active clients). Exact team size.
Who they’re for: Businesses doing $500K+ revenue already. E-commerce stores. Service businesses wanting to scale. They’re upfront that they’re not the cheapest—they target businesses with real budgets.
One thing that stood out: They actually put numbers everywhere. Most agencies hide pricing. These guys tell you what things cost before you call. Case studies include actual revenue figures, not just percentages.
Skip them if: You’re bootstrapping on $1,000/month total marketing budget. They’re not hiding it—they’re set up for businesses ready to invest properly.
2. Thea.media
What they show: Boutique agency for health, wellness, and beauty businesses. Lauren runs it with a team. Two detailed testimonials with actual results.
One case study mentions filling a therapist’s calendar in 5 months and creating a waitlist. Another talks about boosting D2C sales and search presence. Testimonials talk about face-to-face check-ins and strategic support.
They mention 30+ years of combined experience. They specifically say they avoid industry jargon.
What you won’t know: Pricing. Full team size. Complete client list. Most case studies don’t have specific numbers.
Who they’re for: Health, wellness, and beauty businesses. Established brands who want a partner that’ll teach them, not keep them dependent.
One thing that stood out: Multiple people mentioned Lauren’s availability and willingness to share knowledge. Most agencies want you to be confused so you keep paying them.
Skip them if: You’re outside health/wellness/beauty. They’re focused on that niche for a reason. If you want a big team with lots of account managers, this is too small.
3. The Creative Collective
What they show: Operating since 2007. One of the first agencies in Australia doing social media services. Local case studies showing Sunshine Coast businesses.
They were early on chatbots and now work with AI. Team based in Maroochydore with people across Australia.
What you won’t know: Pricing. Team size. How many clients they’re juggling right now.
Who they’re for: Businesses that need local connections. They’ve got relationships with local media, government, and tourism. If you’re trying to get attention locally, those connections matter.
One thing that stood out: Nearly 20 years on the Sunshine Coast. Most agencies don’t last that long anywhere.
Skip them if: You only need one thing done. They do everything, which usually means they’re not cheap.
4. Thinkroom
What they show: Based in Noosa. They cap clients at 20 maximum across all senior strategists. 5-star rating from 45 reviews.
Half-day strategic planning session before they start. No lock-in contracts. Fortnightly meetings.
What you won’t know: Pricing. Which 20 clients they’re working with. Whether they have space.
Who they’re for: Businesses wanting strategy before execution. If you’re sick of agencies that just start spending money without a plan, try them.
Good for e-commerce if you’re not “high pressure.” They say directly they don’t work well with reactive businesses.
One thing that stood out: They’ll tell you if you’re not a good fit. Most agencies take anyone’s money.
Skip them if: You want someone to fix one thing quickly. They build systems, not Band-Aids.
5. Viva Digital
What they show: Real-time ROI dashboards. They focus on measurable results. Paul runs it. They mention understanding Sunshine Coast tourism patterns.
Transparent pricing (though no actual numbers listed). Free audits.
What you won’t know: Case study results. Team size. Client names.
Who they’re for: Businesses that need to justify spending. Tourism and hospitality. Anyone tired of “brand awareness” metrics that mean nothing.
One thing that stood out: They’ll tell you if SEO won’t make you money. Most agencies would just take the work.
Skip them if: You’re building brand awareness without caring about immediate revenue. They’re all about dollars in, dollars out.
6. Actual Marketing
What they show: Sam runs it solo. Been servicing Sunshine Coast since 2006. Google reviews with full names and detailed stories.
People mention specific work: websites, logos, business cards, car signage, online stores.
What you won’t know: Exact pricing. How busy Sam is. How long things take.
Who they’re for: Small businesses wanting to talk directly to the person doing the work. No account managers between you and the actual work.
If you’re bootstrapping and need affordable service from someone who cares, worth a call.
One thing that stood out: Every review mentions Sam by name. That’s the upside of solo operators. The downside—if he’s swamped, you wait.
Skip them if: You need a big team for something complex. You need it done this week.
Agencies You’ll Need To Call For More Information
7. Quint Digital
What they show: One case study for Solar4Life with numbers: 429% organic lead growth, 284% increase in visitors, 277.19% traffic increase.
Services: SEO, PPC, web design, and content writing. 30-minute discovery call to start.
What you won’t know: Everything else. Who runs it. Team size. Other clients. Pricing.
Who they’re for: Hard to tell. The Solar4Life case suggests local service businesses may be.
One thing that stood out: They put actual numbers in their case study. Most agencies say “increased traffic significantly” and leave it at that.
Skip them if: You need to research thoroughly before calling. Not much here to look at.
8. Marx Creative
What they show: Independent creative studio. Founded in 2010. “Staffed entirely by a senior team.” They do premium brand design and web development.
That’s about it. Nice-looking website, but vague.
What you won’t know: Who the senior team is. Client examples. Pricing. What “premium” means in dollars.
Who they’re for: Premium brands wanting high-end design, maybe? The positioning suggests they’re expensive.
One thing that stood out: “Staffed entirely by a senior team.” Could mean highly experienced. Could mean expensive. Probably both.
Skip them if: You want to see work before calling. You’re watching costs. You need fast turnarounds.
Agencies That Are Somewhere In Between
9. Meridian Digital
What they show: Leeha runs it. Focuses on consultants and professional services. Real testimonials from Eczema Association of Australasia and others.
Services: digital marketing packages, WordPress sites, content. Sunshine Coast based.
What you won’t know: Package pricing. Full client list. Team size (seems small/boutique).
Who they’re for: Consultants and professional service businesses. People wanting a partner who gets service-based models.
One thing that stood out: Testimonials mention Leeha by name repeatedly. Personal service is the main selling point here.
Skip them if: You’re e-commerce or retail. They’re clearly focused elsewhere.
10. Moonstruck Digital
What they show: Noosa-based. E-commerce, service businesses, hospitality, health & wellness, trades & construction. They use AI solutions.
Two testimonials on homepage. One from someone starting a business, one about traffic and sales increases.
What you won’t know: Pricing. Team size. Client names (testimonials don’t include companies).
Who they’re for: Based on specialties: e-commerce stores, service businesses, hospitality brands, wellness companies, trades.
One thing that stood out: They’re upfront about AI integration. Most agencies either ignore it or pretend they’ve used it forever.
Skip them if: You’re outside their specialty areas. They list their industries clearly, which suggests they turn down mismatched work.
What This List Won’t Tell You
This doesn’t measure quality. Vague website doesn’t mean bad work. Detailed website doesn’t guarantee good work.
Some agencies have legitimate reasons for privacy. Big clients don’t want their names everywhere. Competitive industries need discretion.
You still need calls. This just sets expectations before those calls.
Actually Using This List
- Pick 2-3 agencies based on what they show and what you need
- Book calls
- Ask for work examples in your industry
- Ask what month one looks like specifically
- Ask what happens if nothing works
How they answer tells you more than their website ever will.
Red flags: Won’t show relevant examples. Can’t explain their process clearly. Promise results in 30 days.
Good signs:
- They ask about your business before pitching
- Show relevant examples without prompting
- Honest about timelines (SEO takes months, not weeks)
- Tell you when they’re not a fit
Our Recommendations
If you’re doing $500K+ revenue and serious about growth: Websites That Sell shows you exactly what things cost and what results look like. They’ve got specific Sunshine Coast experience and don’t hide their numbers.
Bootstrapping: Call Actual Marketing. Sam’s affordable and reviews are solid.
Scaling with strategy: Call Thinkroom. Set up for businesses with actual budgets and they do the strategic planning first.
Tourism/hospitality: Call Viva Digital or Moonstruck Digital. They mention understanding local patterns.
Health/wellness/beauty: Call Thea.media. That’s their entire focus.
Here’s What You Need To Know
The Sunshine Coast has good agencies.
Websites That Sell stands out because they actually show pricing and detailed case studies with real numbers. Most agencies make you book a call just to find out if you can afford them. That’s annoying.
But transparency doesn’t automatically mean they’re right for your business.
If you’re a $100K/year startup, they’ll probably tell you they’re not a fit.
That’s honest, at least.
The other agencies on this list might be perfect for you.
Just know what you’re walking into some show everything, some show nothing, most are somewhere in between.
Don’t sign based on a nice website and smooth talk.
Ask for examples. Ask for references.
Ask hard questions about time and results.
And if an agency pressures you to sign fast, leave.
Good agencies don’t need pressure tactics.
