Shows
An Agency StoryA 13-Year-Old Founder Builds a 450-Person Agency - Smart SitesWhat does it really take to build a large agency without chaos, investors, or burning out your team? In this episode, Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, shares how starting a business at 13 shaped his long-term mindset and how disciplined measurement and intentional growth decisions helped SmartSites become a 450-person agency.Key TakeawaysWhy agency growth helps the talent gameHow accurate measurement protects your businessHow writing a book sharpens your thoughtsWant a more clarity and control for your agency in 2026? An Agency Story has three coaching spots available for 2026. Let’s see if on...
2025-12-2942 min
Future Fuzz - The Digital Marketing PodcastEp. 115 - AI, Search, and the Future of Agencies - Alex MelenIn this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Alex Melen, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of SmartSites - America’s top-rated digital marketing agency. Alex shares how he and his brother scaled the business from a small team into a 400+ person global agency, landing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row.From navigating rapid technological shifts to staying ahead in a generative AI–driven world, Alex offers candid insights on sustaining growth, working with family, and helping SMBs thrive in changing markets. He also unpacks his views on the future of s...
2025-09-0330 min
The Deep Specialization™ PodcastReputation, Retention, and ROI: The SmartSites Growth Formula | Alex Melen Join Corey Quinn and Alex Melen—Co-Founder of SmartSites—one of America’s fastest-growing digital marketing agencies. Alex shares how SmartSites has maintained 35% year-over-year growth since 2011 by investing in employee satisfaction, reputation management, and long-term marketing strategy.They discuss what it really takes to scale a service business—how to grow without losing culture, when to specialize (or not), and why reputation is your most valuable asset. Alex also shares how AI is reshaping agency work and the strategies SmartSites uses to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.Episode Highlights:- The 35% Growth P...
2025-05-071h 09The Deep Specialization™ PodcastReputation, Retention, and ROI: The SmartSites Growth Formula | Alex Melen Join Corey Quinn and Alex Melen—Co-Founder of SmartSites—one of America’s fastest-growing digital marketing agencies. Alex shares how SmartSites has maintained 35% year-over-year growth since 2011 by investing in employee satisfaction, reputation management, and long-term marketing strategy.They discuss what it really takes to scale a service business—how to grow without losing culture, when to specialize (or not), and why reputation is your most valuable asset. Alex also shares how AI is reshaping agency work and the strategies SmartSites uses to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.Episode Highlights:- The 35% Growth P...
2025-05-071h 09
Traffic to LeadsAlex Melen: Navigating Consumer Behavior Shifts in 2025About Alex Melen: Alex Melen is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and early digital pioneer. He is the co-founder of SmartSites, a digital marketing agency that has grown from a handful of digital visionaries to a team of over four hundred full-time employees, spanning six offices worldwide.SmartSites has been featured in AdWeek and the Inc. 5000 for numerous consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing digital agencies. SmartSites continues to be America’s top-rated digital marketing agency with a data-driven and customer-centric approach applicable to every industry.Al...
2025-01-2129 min
Fully ManagedThe Real Difference Between Good and GREAT Customer Service ExperienceHere are three things you’ll learn in this episode: 1. Investment in Long-Term Growth: Smartsites’ growth is driven by a strategic investment in their own marketing and employee development, rather than focusing on immediate transactional returns. They spend a substantial amount on marketing (e.g., $300,000 a month) with the understanding that the returns will be realized over the long term through the lifetime value of clients. This approach contrasts with a short-term ROI mentality and emphasizes building a solid reputation and generating leads that will contribute to sustainable growth.2. Reputation and Unique Selling Propo...
2025-01-1033 min
Drop The Mic with Jason Hunt#214 - Alex Melen: Building a Nimble Agency and Balancing AI Efficiency with AuthenticityAlex Melen is a digital marketing expert, entrepreneur, and co-founder of SmartSites, one of the largest digital agencies with a team of over 400. Known for his strategic approach to marketing, Alex shares insights on building a nimble agency, adapting to rapid industry changes, and the crucial role of authenticity in today’s noisy, AI-driven market.
This episode delves into Alex’s approach to navigating the digital landscape—from his strategies for achieving a meaningful ROI at conferences to the importance of personal branding in a world where AI content and automated lead gen services are becoming commonplace. Alex o...
2024-11-1243 min
Marketing MoversAt 13 he started a business that grew to a million customers, now his agency has over 400 employeesAlex Melen is the founder of SmartSites, an agency that has been recognized on the Forbes 5000 fastest-growing company 8 years in a row. His full-service digital marketing agency has over four hundred full-time employees and six offices worldwide.
In this episode, Alex covers everything from starting one of the first & largest free web hosting providers as a teen to what has fueled growth for SmartSites to the changes he is seeing in the digital landscape.
Chapters:00:30 Introduction to Alex Mellon and SmartSites03:11 T35 Hosting and the Rise of Free Web Hosting13:24...
2024-09-1848 min
The Snoball EffectThe Evolution of Customer Advocacy in a Digital World w/ Alex Melen [PLAYBOOK]Send us a textIn this episode featuring Alex Melen, Co-Founder of SmartSites, several key insights emerged that reflect his deep experience and understanding of the digital marketing landscape. Alex shared his journey of entrepreneurship, which began at a young age when he founded one of the first web hosting companies in the late 90s. This early exposure to the internet's formative years provided him with a unique perspective on the evolution of digital technologies. His passion for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship is evident as he encourages others to pursue their business ideas, emphasizing that the current era...
2024-09-0537 min
Mind the TrackWestern States Endurance Run | Trail Running with Jenelle Potvin and Steve MartelliIn a shift away from skis and bikes, Episode 41 profiles two Truckee trail running core lords, Jenelle Potvin and Steve Martelli and their passion for ultra distance running events like the Western States Endurance Run. Just like Western States itself, this episode covers a lot of ground from how the couple had their first date on a seven hour trail run, to the history of the Western States trail, to preparing for a 100 mile adventure on foot with the support of an incredible trail running community. Steve also shares his emotional story of spiral fracturing his femur at mile 70...
2024-07-102h 05
DrivingSales InsightsGenerative AI: Transforming Automotive Digital MarketingDive into the future of automotive digital marketing, featuring special guest Alex Melen, a trailblazer in the digital marketing world. This episode is a deep dive into the evolving landscape of SEO, paid search, and the revolutionary impact of generative AI on the automotive industry. Alex shares his journey from immigrating to founding SmartSites, his insights into the balance between paid and organic search, and a forward-looking discussion on the future of digital marketing strategies. Whether you're a marketer, dealership owner, or just fascinated by the digital revolution, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to stay ahead in...
2024-03-0739 min
We Built This BrandMastering the Art of Building Websites with Alex MelenEmbark on a journey of digital transformation with Alex Melen, one of the masterminds behind Smart Sites. In this episode, Alex sheds light on the art of building a powerful personal brand, the intricacies of nurturing a thriving business in the tech-centric marketplace, and his innovative strategies that are shaping the future of digital marketing. Listen in as he offers a blend of insightful experiences and groundbreaking ideas, making this episode a treasure trove for entrepreneurs and marketers eager to understand the future of digital marketing.About Alex MelenMeet Alex Melen, t...
2024-01-1847 min
selenooperbook(B.O.O.K.$ Automotive Search Marketing A Car Dealer's Guide to Google Book PDF EPUB**Download Automotive Search Marketing: A Car Dealer's Guide to Google Full Edition,Full Version,Full Book**
by Alex Melen
Reading Now at : https://happyreadingebook.club/?book=B0C2S53Q4M
OR
DOWNLOAD EBOOK NOW!
[PDF] Download ( Automotive Search Marketing: A Car Dealer's Guide to Google Book PDF EPUB Ebook | READ ONLINE Download ( Automotive Search Marketing: A Car Dealer's Guide to Google Book PDF EPUB read ebook online PDF EPUB KINDLE Download ( Automotive Search Marketing: A Car Dealer's Guide to Google Book PDF...
2023-09-2900 min
Garlic Marketing ShowAlex Melen of SmartSites Car Dealer SEO Secrets & Chat GPT HacksAre you ready to unlock the future of digital marketing?Alex Melen, the Co-Founder of Smart Sites, shared his expertise on digital marketing in a captivating episode of the Garlic Marketing Show. Focusing on his book "Automotive Search Marketing," Melen emphasizes the importance of SEO and pay-per-click marketing for client acquisition. He also explores the impact of YouTube as a powerful advertising platform and discusses the potential role of chat GPT in the future of Google search. Notably, Melen highlights the risks and rewards associated with chat GPT, including its ability to generate...
2023-07-2546 min
5 Back PodcastWe are Back! NHL Draft, Canada Vs USA and The Transfer Window So Far! - The 5 Back Podcast Episode 39
On this weeks episode Connor, Athan and Melen discuss the NHL Draft, Alex Galchenyuk, Who would in a 7 game series Team Canada or Team USA! And then return to their roots to discuss the Saudi League, the transfer window so far and the expectations on Chelsea and Everton next Season!
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2023-07-161h 36
Believe you can because you can!Alex Melen: Effective SEO Management for Ranking #1 on Google (#505)Ranking #1 on Google is the ultimate goal of any business’s search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. However, with the ever-changing landscape of SEO, businesses need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques to achieve success. In this podcast, we’ll be talking with Alex Melen, an expert in SEO management, about how businesses can…
2023-05-0951 min
How to Scale a BusinessHow Alex Melen Scaled SmartSites by Leveraging the Changing Media Landscape to Deliver Competitive AdvantageHow Alex Melen Scaled SmartSites by Leveraging the Changing Media Landscape to Deliver Competitive Advantage
2023-04-0124 min
LeadsCon Digital: Lead Generation Insights for Today and TomorrowLeadsCon Podcast Episode #5 - Christopher Anderson & Alex MelenIan is joined by Christopher Anderson, Director of Marketing Strategy for Manhattan Motorcars, and Alex Melen, an Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Co-founder of SmartSites. Chris is a progressive Automotive Marketing Services Consultant with 35 years’ experience in innovating and managing marketing services for individual dealerships and dealer groups. The scope of his expertise and services range from owning and operating a $50M full service ad agency to complimenting internal marketing teams with program vetting, development, execution and reporting.Alex is the co-founder of advertising agency SmartSites. SmartSites now manages over $100MM/year in advertising spend and has 6 offi...
2022-10-3125 min
Digital Marketing Intelligence for Shopify: Ask the Experts Episode 96: Alex Melen (E-commerce Sales)How to substantially increase your revenue by simply reworking your marketing strategy. An award-winning e-commerce entrepreneur, founder and keynote speaker explains!
2022-10-2841 minGarlic Marketing ShowBrand Loyalty is Dying. Why That’s Great for Your Business. Alex Melen, SmartSitesSince the Pandemic, digitalization has evolved and has taken over people’s preferences.Because of this human shopping behaviors have also changed affecting tons of businesses and marketing methods.On this episode of the Garlic Marketing Show, Alex Melen, the Co-Founder of SmartSites, teaches us about Marketing practices that NO LONGER WORK and how to DO IT RIGHT TODAY.On top of that, he also shares how he got to grow his agency 2X in a short span of time.What Yo...
2022-07-1537 min
Believe you can because you can!163. How To Grow A Digital Marketing Agency With Alex MelenThere are many ways that digital marketing agencies can grow in the future. It’s up to you which way to choose. Consider a few well-working directions: Use AI marketing tools to boost your effort in marketing. Partner with bloggers. Partner with other agencies for content creation and distribution. Develop new, innovative services for customers. Use…
2022-06-0443 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsKim Walsh Phillips, Alex Melen & Luke Acree on Thought Leader Life Credibility SpecialsGet to know these successful thought leaders and find out how they present themselves and their crafts as experts in their fields.Kim Walsh Phillips is a social selling strategist, podcaster, coach, and founder of Powerful Professionals, a business coaching and education company. She is a multi-seven figure business entrepreneur with no business degree but she’s spoken to many spectacular stages including Synergy Business School in Moscow, GKIC Super Conversion, and Etisilat Corporate in Dubai, among others. She is obsessed with empowering entrepreneurs to ten times (10x) their business and life. If you re...
2022-04-2025 min
The Jake Dunlap ShowFrom Building Websites In Middle School to Managing a $100M/Year Advertising Agency with Alex MelenBorn in Kiev, Ukraine, this week’s guest and his family dropped everything and moved from the USSR to New York in the early 1990s barely knowing any English. Fast Forward to today, he is an Award-Winning Serial Entrepreneur who went from starting to build websites in the early 90s, to now managing over $100MM/year in advertising spend for his clients. Alex Melen is this week’s guest on “The Jake Dunlap Show”Alex’s family settled in Washington Heights/Harlem, and he moved to different schools every year until his family resettled in New Jersey. While in M...
2022-01-2752 minGarlic Marketing ShowHow to Make Customers Feel Safe with These Three Pillars of Website Design with Alex MelenFor this segment of the 300th Episode of the Garlic Marketing Show, Ian Garlic sits down with Alex Melen, the Co-Founder of SmartSites. They discuss the importance of business flexibility to accommodate changes in consumer behavior.In this episode, Alex and Ian talk about the importance of excellent website performance for your business to succeed digitally. Alex also explains how consumer behaviors changed during Covid and why some of these behaviors are here to stay. Watch the full episode to discover the best digital marketing tips on LinkedIn, SEO, website content and design, a...
2021-08-1423 min
The Credibility Nation ShowGaining Remarkable Results for Your Company with Alex Melen (CNS 111)Alex Melen is a co-founder at SmartSites, award-winning entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. He talks about gaining remarkable results for your company through innovative digital campaigns and advertising. He is passionate about assisting businesses in managing their online marketing campaigns as a consultant. If you know that you do good in the physical world but kind of suck online, reach out to Alex Melen by going to his website at https://www.smartsites.com/ or visiting his profile at https://www.alexmelen.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmelen/. Mitchell Levy is the Global Credibility E...
2020-12-1209 min
Thought Leader Life#338, 339, 340: Alex Melen, Luke Acree, Clay Staires w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility#338: Alex Melen and Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility Episode
Gain remarkable results for your company through innovative digital campaigns and advertising. This episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Alex Melen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmelen/), a co-founder at SmartSites, award-winning entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. He is passionate about assisting businesses in managing their online marketing campaigns as a consultant.
Alex is known for starting one of the first free web hosting companies: T35, founded in 1997. It was the first of its kind in the mid-90s, when earning a strong digital...
2020-06-0325 min
For Immediate Release PodcastThought Leader Life #338, 339, 340Guest Alex Melen, Luke Acree, Clay Staires
2020-06-0325 min2020-05-0809 min
Digital Marketing with Bill HartzerBill Hartzer and Alex Melen on PPC and the Pay Per Click IndustryBill Hartzer speaks with Alex Melen from SmartSites. We discuss the state of the industry, PPC, and how the industry has changed over the years.
2019-12-1322 min
The New EntrepreneurMarketing/Sales and Accounting with Alex Melen of Smartsites | SMMA/Digital Advertising CompanyGoing over the most crucial aspects of business, Alex brings accounting, sales, and marketing into prospective within a digital advertising/SMMA business. I ask Alex about how he started these systems and what he recommends, what he recommends we stay away from and many more.
You can find Alex @ smartsites.com
2019-10-3147 min
Business Growth LabFrom Corporate To Start Up with Alex MelenThere’s nowhere to go but up, right? When you’re in start up phase, you sometimes wonder... Having a start up can be a challenge, and wearing all the hats can be tiring. So how do you know when it’s time to expand? In this episode, Alex Melen talks us through the challenges and things you need to focus on, when expanding your business. He shares his experiences from being an entrepreneur and moving into corporate life, and back to entrepreneurship again. What made him decide to travel this path...
2019-10-1335 min
High Value Sales Show by Eversprint.comFrom 100 to 300 Recurring Clients in 4 Years - Alex Melen of SmartSitesAlex Melen, the co-Founder and Co-CEO of SmartSites, grew his company's revenue from $1.7m in 2014 to $3.5m in 2017, a 110% increase, and now they are on track to hit $5m this year. SmartSites is a full service digital agency that provides website design and development, SEO, and PPC. In this interview with Eversprint's Malcolm Lui, Alex shares how he and his team accelerated their high value sales by: Focusing on their clients and providing a five star experience while helping small businesses get into the digital...
2018-12-1800 min