Who are the leading social media marketing (SMM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firms?

The Digital EYE Media team thought we’d share a list of some of the larger firms helping create and grow this market space.

Topseos, an independent research company that provides evaluation and rankings of the best Internet marketing service providers, just published a list of its top SMM contenders — “Best Social Media Marketing Services – July 2012.”

The company evaluated Internet marketing agencies providing services over five regions, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, India and the UK.

Agencies that are ranked on Topseos go through a rigorous evaluation criteria.  Topseos connects with companies to understand their methodologies and approaches to providing services to their customers and connect with customers of their Internet marketing services to better understand their feedback of services provided. The results:

#1. Netmark.com
#2. Customer Magnetism
#3. Intrapromote
#4. TopHatRank.com
#5. 352 Media Group
#6. Mint Social
#7. HigherVisibility
#8. Hudson Horizons
#9. Converseon
#10. Social Media Strategy

#1. Netmark.com

Netmark Essentials, Idaho Falls, Idaho, is an interactive marketing agency with specialties in online marketing. In addition to SMM, services provided include SEO, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Management, Conversion Rate Optimization, Conversion Value Maximization and Website Development.

Words of wisdom:

By far the biggest misconception in the marketplace is that the primary reason for engaging in social media is to gain new customers. In reality, the primary marketing opportunity in social media is to engage current customers, not gain new customers. People often confuse the two, but they are very different from one another. Some companies have successfully used social media to attract new customers, but this usually pales in comparison to the benefits received from retaining existing customers through the same channels.

#2. Customer Magnetism

Customer Magnetism,Virginia Beach, Va., is a full-service Internet marketing agency.  In business for more than 11 years, the firm specializes in integrated SMM, SEO and PPC strategies and also offers online reputation management, email and mobile marketing and Web development.  Customer Magnetism was recently named to the Inc. 500|5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies.  In addition to SMM, services include SEO, link building, PPC, pay per click services, reputation management, website redesign and mobile development.

#3. Intrapromote

Intrapromote, Hudson, Ohio, is a boutique digital search and SMM agency that has developed and executed integrated search marketing campaigns for both emerging and well known brands like Honda, Fisher Price, Four Seasons, Roto-Rooter and Cleveland Clinic. With more than 13 years of experience managing SEO campaigns, Intrapromote has been recognized by Forrester as a Top 20 Search Specialist Agency for enterprise-level SEO. In addition to SMM, services include Organic SEO, Mobile SEO, Content Marketing and Usability/Conversion Optimization.

#4. TopHatRank.com

TopHatRank.com, Los Angeles, Calif., has been providing Internet marketing and SEO services to local and national clients throughout the U.S. since 2008.  TopHatRank.com specializes in delivering targeted traffic via SEO, building a strong online presence for brands through SEO and establishing client companies as experts in their field through third party validation via online Public Relations. Most services are offered on a Month-to-Month basis with No Contract or Obligation.

#5. 352 Media Group

352 Media Group, headquartered in Newberry, Fla., is a full-service interactive agency offering a wide range of services, including Web development, custom website design and marketing, flash animation, e-commerce website design and professional Web application development. The company serves clients in every region of the country through Web design consulting offices in Gainesville, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Houston.

#6. Mint Social

Mint Social, Scottsdale, Ariz., is an SMM and online branding company. The firm accelerates online marketing by helping businesses get found in search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing) and in social networks (where more than 70 percent of all traffic on the Internet flows).  Mint Social’s approach to online marketing involves creating a content marketing and syndication engine (the client’s own Associated Press) which connects prospects and customers with the business.  In addition to SMM, services include Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Online Branding and Reputation Management.

#7. Higher Visibility

HigherVisibility, Memphis, Tenn., is a nationally recognized Internet marketing agency that offers a full range of Internet marketing services that include SEO, PPC marketing, website design and link building. Founded in 2007, the company works with clients large and small across the nation. The mission of HigherVisibility is to provide clients with the most professional and highest quality Internet marketing services and customer service available.

#8. Hudson Horizons

Hudson Horizons, Saddle Brook, N.J., is an integrated marketing agency specializing in SMM, SEO, website design, website development, PPC management and other Web-based services. A main focus of the company is to implement technologies and services that are commonly referred in today’s Internet standards as Web 2.0 technology. Examples include: social networking websites and communities, SEO-friendly content management systems, blogs/weblogs, RSS feeds, social media integration, and other forms of communication and social Web-based tools.  Hudson Horizons’ vision and ultimate ambition as a company is to always strive to be “The New Light for e-Business.”

#9. Converseon

Denmark-based Converseon Nordics is an award-winning, full service social media agency that helps brands harness the power of social to meet business objectives.  Founded in 2001, Converseon was a pioneer pure play social media agency that has garnered a reputation for innovation, creativity and partnering deeply with clients. Converseon’s Conversation Miner social listening/analytics technology have been called a leader in the Forrester Wave of Listening Platforms Q3 2010.  Converseon provides a full range of paid, earned and owned solutions driven through a socially-centric, data driven approach.  Core practice areas include SMM, SEO and social media management.

#10. Social Media Strategy / Panther Interactive Marketing

UK-based Social Media Strategy (aka Panther Interactive Marketing) is an SMM and PPC management services company that offers measurable return on investment.  The company puts clients in control and strives to give them the confidence to move forward with local, national and international marketing services.  The firm’s core team of qualified Internet marketers aims to deliver targeted solutions through traditional, direct, digital and data driven techniques.