In 2020, FrontPage Interactive was engaged by a home services company offering HVAC and electrical services. Their objective was clear and ambitious: dominate organic search in the geographic markets they served and build a predictable, scalable lead engine that fueled long-term growth.
We began where every serious digital growth initiative should begin: research.
Our team conducted deep analysis across their niche, competitive landscape, and service territories. From there, we executed a full website redevelopment designed for performance, not aesthetics alone. The new site featured clear positioning, fast load times, mobile optimization, and conversion-focused calls to action.
The client also invested in professional photography, capturing their team, trucks, offices, and real projects. This significantly elevated trust, brand authority, and on-page engagement.
From an SEO standpoint, this was not a “check the box” campaign.
We implemented comprehensive on-page SEO, strategic internal linking, geographic service area pages, and a growing content library via their blog. Post-launch, we rolled out a multi-layered organic strategy that included:
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Off-page SEO and link building
- Programmatic SEO at scale
- Thousands of geographically targeted, long-tail keyword pages
- Ongoing technical optimization and performance tuning
Every lead source was tracked. Attribution was precise. Monthly reviews guided constant optimization.
The campaign started with a modest budget. As results compounded, the client increased investment multiple times to accelerate momentum.
The results speak for themselves.
Over a 22-month period, the company’s annual revenue grew from $3.5M to $10.5M.
Marketing leadership was pleased. Ownership was pleased. By any objective metric traffic, leads, revenue, or ROI the campaign was a success.
And then came the twist.
The growth was so significant that the owner successfully sold the business to private equity and exited. We continued supporting the company for roughly 60 days post-transaction before being invited to our first meeting with the newly installed president.
The meeting started as expected. We reviewed performance, discussed operational changes, and covered transition updates.
Then the real purpose surfaced.
We were informed that FrontPage Interactive would be terminated as their marketing agency.
The reason had nothing to do with results, performance, or strategy.
We were told:
- Our monthly fee was no longer acceptable
- We were not a “preferred vendor”
- We could not become one
- Our existing agreement would be challenged
- Payment would be limited to two months instead of the remaining contractual term
To avoid a prolonged legal dispute, we accepted the partial payment and ended the relationship.
The Moral of the Story
This case study is not a cautionary tale about marketing performance. It is a lesson about business realities.
An agency can exceed expectations, drive extraordinary growth, and help create a successful exit and still be replaced overnight due to politics, procurement rules, or private equity playbooks.
Performance does not always equal permanence.
Private equity firms optimize for consolidation, leverage, and preferred vendor ecosystems, not historical loyalty or past results. That is not personal. It is structural.
For agencies, the takeaway is clear. Deliver excellence, but understand the landscape you are operating in.
For business owners, the takeaway is equally important. The partners who help build your value may not be the ones who benefit from the exit you achieve.
At FrontPage Interactive, we remain proud of the work, the outcome, and the role we played in creating real enterprise value.
Success does not always come with a long-term contract. Sometimes it comes with a lesson.
