KickstartSEO Has Been Nominated for an Award

Why this nomination matters

Business awards often come with strings attached. Pay for a table, sponsor a page, get a trophy. I’ve been sceptical of that “award-winning” culture for years because it can feel more like an invoice than recognition.

This time is different.

Back in July I was told KickstartSEO had been nominated through a closed nominations process. I asked a few questions, they asked a lot more, and then it went quiet. Late August, they came back: we were selected as a finalist. Earlier this week they requested a photo. That’s when it started to feel real.

The image that tells the truth

Instead of a glossy headshot, I sent an image that represents who we are: me standing alongside Norman, our AI SEO Strategist. Not a gimmick. Not a prop. Norman analyses, prioritises, and helps implement the work that moves our clients from invisible to unmissable. The blend of human experience and AI strategy is the point, so that’s what we showed.

Some award committees might hesitate at that honesty. Most businesses submit a staged team photo. We chose a working partnership—human and AI—because that’s what clients hire us for.

What this recognition says

Will we win? Hard to say. But being shortlisted tells me that our approach to service and the way we work with clients is being noticed. We don’t chase trophies; we focus on delivering progress for UK small businesses. It’s the same philosophy behind our Website Fitness Evaluation — an honest look at what’s working and what needs training. Our philosophy is simple: we deliver service, sometimes free, sometimes at a fee. Service is our heartbeat.

If a trophy follows, fine. If not, the work goes on. Either way, thank you to whoever put our name forward and to the clients who trust us each month.

Wish us luck

I’m quietly excited. And if you’re curious about why we built Norman and how he supports the work we do, start with The Norman Advantage.