This post was originally published on 4 September 2025. We updated it on 1 October 2025 after learning that we had won.
Back in September, we shared that KickstartSEO had been nominated for a business award. At the time, it felt like a solid nod. Since then, things have moved on.
In October, we were told we had won.
What's inside? (TL;DR)
KickstartSEO was recognised in two categories of the SME Visionary Leadership Awards for 2025.
This article explains what those awards actually mean, why service matters more than shiny trophies, and why the work still has to come first.
Useful Sections
Estimated reading time:
3 minutes
Update: From Finalist To Winner
Back in September, we shared that KickstartSEO had been nominated for a business award. At the time, it felt like a solid nod. Since then, things have moved on.
In October, we were told we had won.
The SME Visionary Leadership Awards recognised KickstartSEO in two categories. I was named Most Instrumental Visionary SEO Services Leader 2025. More importantly, our team — myself, Dee Atkins, Teri Price, and Norman — were awarded the Client-Centric Leadership Excellence Award 2025.
You can see the official listing here: SME Visionary Leadership Awards – KickstartSEO.
What The Awards Actually Recognise
These are not SEO awards in the usual sense. They are business awards. They focus on how companies operate, how they lead, and how they serve their clients.
The SME Visionary Leadership Awards focus on leadership, innovation, and real business impact. They are not about who shouts the loudest. They are about how a business actually operates day to day, and the results that creates for clients.
That matters more.
Our entire model is built around service. Clear advice. Honest feedback. Work that actually moves a business forward. The blend of human experience and AI strategy is part of that, but it only works because the focus stays on the client.
The Image Still Says It All
The image we shared, Michael spending time with Norman, still holds up. It represents how we work every day. No smoke and mirrors. Just a partnership that gets results.
Most agencies still separate AI from people. We do not. It is one system, working together.
A Quick Reality Check On Awards
I have always been wary of the whole “award-winning” label. In many cases, it is more about visibility than substance.
This one felt different. No invoices. No sponsorships. Just a recognised SME awards process and a decision based on how we actually work.
Still, an award reflects what you have already done. It does not guarantee what comes next.
What Happens Now
The trophy is on the shelf. It looks good. I will not pretend otherwise.
But it does not change anything.
The focus stays the same: helping UK businesses improve their visibility, generate better enquiries, and build something sustainable. That is where the real value sits.
If anything, this just raises the standard we hold ourselves to.
Keep Moving Forward
If you want to understand how we approach that work, start with The Norman Advantage. Or take a direct look at your own site with our Free SEO Audit.
Awards are nice. Progress is better.
Can We Help?
Many people end up on our blog because their SEO is not working the way they hoped, and they are trying to work out what to do next.
Sound familiar?
Recognition is lovely, but it only means anything if the work behind it helps real businesses make progress.
If your website feels stuck, unclear, or invisible in search, we can help you work out what is actually happening and what needs attention next. No trophy-polishing required.
