Manchester Digital speaks with Scott Keever, a U.S.-based entrepreneur and internationally recognized SEO expert whose journey from local freelancer to multi-agency founder is redefining how digital marketing is done.
As the founder of Keever SEO, Reputation Pros, ASAP Digital Marketing, and Pool Pros Marketing, Keever is best known for combining technical search expertise with a people-first approach to online visibility. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into how he built his brand, his biggest business lessons, and what drives him as a leader in the fast-moving world of digital strategy.
From Starting Solo to Leading Teams: The Scott Keever Journey
Q: So, Who is Scott Keever?
Scott Keever: At my core, I’m a problem-solver and builder. I’m someone who saw the potential of the internet for businesses and decided to master that space. I’m not interested in shortcuts; I’m interested in results, relationships, and real impact. Whether it’s helping a small business get found online or restoring someone’s reputation, I lead with intention. I’m an entrepreneur, but more importantly, I’m a strategist who believes in earning trust and delivering outcomes.
Q: Scott, let’s start at the beginning. How did you get into entrepreneurship and SEO in the first place?
Scott Keever: I started, like many entrepreneurs, out of necessity. I had a day job in sales, but I was fascinated by how people were finding businesses online. I taught myself the basics of SEO late at night, ran experiments on test websites, and eventually helped a friend rank his local service company. The results were immediate and measurable; it was addictive.
Within a year, I left my full-time job to build what became Keever SEO. That first leap taught me a great deal about risk, resilience, and self-confidence.
Q: What was the turning point that transformed your small consultancy into a multi-agency portfolio?
Keever: I realized early that most SEO firms were either too technical for the average business owner to understand or too generic to deliver custom results. That gap became my opportunity.
By focusing on one-to-one relationships, transparent communication, and education, I built trust quickly. Then I scaled by hiring people who shared those values. From there, we launched Reputation Pros to meet the demand for online reputation repair, then ASAP Digital for broader digital marketing, and Pool Pros Marketing as a niche vertical solution.
Each agency had a clear market problem to solve. That focus allowed us to grow without diluting quality.
Building a Brand with Integrity
Q: What would you say sets you apart in a crowded digital marketing space?
Keever: We don’t rely on gimmicks. We win by doing the fundamentals better than anyone else, technical SEO, brand strategy, and content that answers fundamental questions. Our reputation is built on delivering results we can prove.
Also, I stay involved. Clients know I’m not just a face on the website. I lead strategy reviews, conduct spot-check audits, and personally mentor account leads. That level of attention is rare when you’re running multiple agencies.
Q: You mention online reputation a lot. Why is it such a key focus for your work?
Keever: Your online reputation is your currency — especially if you're a founder, executive, or public figure. One bad article or review can undo years of good work. So while SEO helps you get found, reputation management ensures that what people find builds trust.
We’ve helped hundreds of people repair, protect, and elevate their digital presence — and that’s work I take seriously. It’s not just about algorithms; it’s about giving people back their voice.
Mindset, Mistakes, and Milestones
Q: What’s a key mindset that helped you scale your business?
Keever: Obsession with outcomes. I don’t get attached to tactics — Google changes all the time. But I stay laser-focused on the result: Is the client getting more visibility? More leads? More control over their digital narrative?
That adaptability has helped me weather every algorithm update and industry shift.
Q: Any mistakes or growing pains along the way you’d be willing to share?
Keever: Early on, I said yes to every client, even when they weren’t a good fit. That led to scope creep, burnout, and a few painful lessons about boundaries.
Now we qualify leads carefully. We ask: Can we help this business? Are our values aligned? It’s not about closing deals — it’s about building long-term wins.
Q: What business moment are you most proud of?
Keever: Honestly, it’s seeing my team thrive. Watching people who joined us as interns or freelancers grow into leadership roles — that’s the kind of success that matters long-term. Awards are outstanding, but building something that lifts others is what makes it meaningful.
The Future of SEO and Digital Strategy
Q: The digital space changes constantly. What trends are you watching?
Keever: Three things. First, the rise of AI, not just for content but for search behavior. SEO professionals need to understand how tools like ChatGPT and Google's Search Generative Experience are shaping the future.
Second, trust signals — Google is placing more weight on authorship, brand transparency, and original experience. That’s good news for businesses that care about quality.
Third, local search is evolving fast. Voice search, zero-click results, and hyper-local targeting are areas we’re investing in heavily.
Q: If you were launching today, what would you do differently?
Keever: I’d invest earlier in personal branding. Clients don’t just buy services — they buy into people. The more visible you are, the easier it is to build credibility.
I’d also document everything — the wins, the lessons, the pivots. That story becomes your unfair advantage.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Q: You’ve built multiple agencies. What advice do you have for someone starting their entrepreneurial journey?
Keever: Start with one clear problem you can solve. Validate it by helping real people, not just building a website. Then make a process around that solution, and protect your time like it’s your only currency — because it is.
Also, don’t chase trends—Chase transformation. Deliver results people care about, and you’ll always be in business.
Q: Last question. What motivates you now?
Keever: Legacy. I want to be known not just for growing businesses, but for helping people grow as well. Whether it’s clients, team members, or mentees — if I can help someone get closer to their potential, that’s fuel for me.
Final Thoughts
The Scott Keever interview leaves little doubt: entrepreneurship isn't just about starting businesses — it’s about solving real problems with intention, intelligence, and integrity. With multiple successful ventures under his belt and an industry reputation built on trust, Keever exemplifies the future-facing entrepreneur: hands-on, data-savvy, and human-centered.
For business owners seeking sustainable growth or marketers looking to deepen their craft, Keever’s journey offers both inspiration and a blueprint.
