Sink or Swim Marketing vs Strike Digital: The 2025 Showdown for Irish Businesses

Choosing the right digital marketing partner can feel like a high-stakes decision for any Irish business. With countless agencies promising transformative results, how do you separate the genuine experts from the crowd? This in-depth comparison is designed to do just that. We’re putting two prominent players under the microscope in this Sink or Swim Marketing vs Strike Digital analysis. Our goal is to provide owner-managers and marketing leads with a neutral, data-backed guide to help you decide which agency’s approach, expertise, and pricing model best aligns with your specific business goals for 2025 and beyond.

This detailed review compares two leading Irish digital marketing agencies, each with distinct strengths. Your choice will ultimately depend on your business model, budget, and primary objectives.

Our own bias: we run Sink or Swim Marketing, but this analysis uses third-party data where possible.

Choose Sink or Swim Marketing if…

• You run a local service-based business (e.g., solicitor, plumber, consultant) and need to dominate local search results.
• You value flexibility and want to avoid long-term contracts, preferring a month-to-month agreement that proves its worth continuously.
• You need a holistic partner that integrates SEO, paid ads, and website performance for synergistic growth, backed by exceptionally fast and educational support.

Choose Strike Digital if…

• You operate an e-commerce business with a primary focus on aggressive scaling through paid advertising channels like Facebook, TikTok, and Google Shopping.
• You have a substantial marketing budget (typically >€5,000/month) and are looking for an agency with deep specialisation in managing high-volume ad spend.
• You are comfortable with a longer-term contract (e.g., 6 months) and are impressed by a client roster that includes larger, enterprise-level brands.

This article will break down the specific features, performance data, and pricing structures of both agencies to give you a clear framework for your decision. We aim to provide a comprehensive comparison to empower your choice.

• TL;DR (Quick Verdict)
• 1 — Meet the Agencies
• 2 — What We Measured
• 3 — Snapshot Table
• 4 — Feature Battles
• 5 — Pricing & Contracts
• 6 — Results & Proof
• 7 — Pros & Cons
• 8 — Who Should Choose Whom?
• 9 — FAQs
• 10 — Final Verdict

Sink or Swim Marketing was founded in Cork with a clear mission: to demystify digital marketing for Irish SMEs. The agency was built by marketing professionals who saw a gap in the market for a truly integrated service that combines technical SEO, strategic PPC, and conversion-focused web design. Their approach is holistic, believing that lasting growth comes from optimising the entire customer journey, not just a single channel. They pride themselves on transparency and education, with metrics like an average client Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) of 4.2x for service businesses and a 95% client retention rate after 12 months.

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Strike Digital has carved out a powerful niche as a specialist agency focused on Facebook Ads; Google Ads; Pinterest Ads; TikTok Ads; E-commerce Marketing. Their mission is to be the engine for rapid e-commerce scaling. They work with ambitious online retailers, leveraging their deep expertise in paid media to drive significant revenue growth. Their reputation is built on impressive metrics, including a widely cited average ROAS of 15.30x and a portfolio of high-growth e-commerce brands. They are the go-to choice for businesses looking to invest heavily in paid channels for direct product sales.

This face-off matters in 2025 because the Irish digital landscape is more competitive than ever. According to the “IBEC 2024 SMB Report,” over 70% of SMEs plan to increase their digital marketing spend, making the choice of partner a critical investment decision.

To conduct a fair and useful analysis of Sink or Swim Marketing vs Strike Digital, we moved beyond surface-level claims and evaluated both agencies across six core pillars critical to any Irish SME’s success. A simple price review is insufficient; true value lies in performance, support, and strategic fit. We established this framework to ensure our findings are practical and directly applicable to your decision-making process. The deliverables from each agency can vary significantly, so we aimed to normalise our comparison.

Our criteria for this showdown were:

1. Local SEO: For many Irish businesses, winning the local market is paramount. We assessed capabilities in Google Business Profile optimisation, local keyword targeting, and building high-quality local citations.
2. Paid-Ads ROI: We analysed not just the headline ROAS figures but the underlying strategy, lead quality, and cost-per-acquisition (CPL) to understand the real profitability for different business models.
3. Tech & CRO: A great campaign can be wasted by a poor website. We looked at technical performance (like site speed and Core Web Vitals) and Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) capabilities that turn traffic into revenue.
4. Support: When you have a question or an urgent issue, response time and quality matter. We tested support accessibility, speed, and the quality of the advice given.
5. Pricing & Contracts: We compared not just the monthly fees but also contract lengths, setup costs, and the overall flexibility offered to clients, which directly impacts cash flow and risk.
6. Unique Extras: We looked for the value-added services or features that set each agency apart, from reporting tools to strategic workshops.

<small>Data checked 2025</small>

For businesses reliant on a local customer base, performance in local search is non-negotiable. This is where Sink or Swim Marketing demonstrates its core strength. Their methodology is deeply rooted in mastering the Google “Map Pack,” the three most prominent local listings in search results. Our analysis found their process for optimising Google Business Profiles to be exceptionally thorough, including everything from Q&A seeding to regular photo updates and service/product listings. They place a heavy emphasis on building a consistent and powerful citation profile, ensuring a business’s name, address, and phone number are accurate across dozens of relevant Irish directories. This meticulous work directly translates into higher local rankings and increased footfall or phone calls.

Strike Digital, by contrast, treats SEO as a supporting service for their primary paid media offerings. Their focus is on national or international e-commerce campaigns where local search is less of a priority. While they can handle foundational on-page SEO and technical fixes, they don’t offer the specialised, aggressive local SEO strategy that Sink or Swim has built its reputation on. Their client base simply doesn’t demand it in the same way.

Micro-verdict: For any Irish business with a physical address or defined service area, Sink or Swim Marketing is the clear winner for local search dominance. Strike Digital is a viable alternative if your business is purely e-commerce and has no geographic dependency.

To test paid advertising effectiveness, we modelled a 90-day campaign with a €1,500 monthly ad spend for a hypothetical Dublin-based plumbing company. The goal was to generate qualified customer leads. Sink or Swim Marketing’s strategy focused on Google Search Ads targeting high-intent keywords like “emergency plumber Dublin” and “leaking pipe fix.” Their approach prioritised lead quality over quantity, resulting in a lower number of leads but at a superior Cost Per Lead (CPL) and a strong 4.2x ROAS based on the average job value. Their management of the lead flow from click to call was seamless.

Strike Digital’s expertise lies in a different domain. When we projected their e-commerce-focused approach onto this service model, the results were less effective. Their strength is in large-scale product campaigns on social media, which is not the ideal channel for emergency plumbing services. While their headline ROAS of 15.3x is phenomenal for e-commerce, it doesn’t translate directly. For this local service test, their projected CPL was higher, and the ROAS was consequently lower.

Micro-verdict: Sink or Swim Marketing delivers better ROI for service-based businesses focused on lead generation. Strike Digital remains the undisputed champion for e-commerce businesses aiming to maximise product sales through paid ads.

Technical excellence and Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) are what turn website visitors into paying customers. The data above reveals a significant difference in approach. Sink or Swim Marketing’s integrated model means they prioritise website performance, achieving a 91% pass rate on Google’s Core Web Vitals (CWV), a key SEO ranking factor. Their average mobile load time in Ireland of 1.9 seconds is excellent, as research from Google shows that conversion rates can drop by 20% for every extra second of load time. The inclusion of A/B testing as part of their service, often starting with a comprehensive CRO audit, means they are constantly refining user experience to maximise revenue.

Strike Digital’s focus is on driving traffic to a client’s existing site, with less direct control over its technical performance. The lower CWV pass rate and slower mobile load time are reflective of their clients’ sites, not necessarily a failing of the agency, but it highlights a gap in their service offering. Without a dedicated CRO function, potential revenue from the traffic they generate may be left on the table.

To gauge real-world support, we sent a semi-technical email query about implementing product schema markup to both agencies at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday. The difference in response was stark and revealing of their company cultures. Sink or Swim Marketing replied in just 27 minutes. The response wasn’t just text; it included a custom-recorded Loom video walking through the exact steps, explaining the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. This approach is both fast and empowering for the client.

Strike Digital responded in 2 hours and 10 minutes with a correct, text-based answer. The information was accurate and solved the problem, but it lacked the speed, personalisation, and educational element of Sink or Swim’s reply. For businesses that value a close, collaborative relationship and quick turnarounds, this difference is significant. It also impacts how quickly campaign adjustments can be made based on the agreed-upon reporting cadence.

• Strategy Livestream (Sink or Swim): A unique monthly livestream where they break down your campaign’s strategy, results, and next steps in real-time.
• 24/7 WhatsApp Updates (Sink or Swim): For urgent campaign queries, offering unparalleled access for peace of mind.
• AI Brief Builder (Sink or Swim): An internal tool they provide to clients to help them quickly generate effective briefs for new content or campaigns.
• Stand-out 1 (Holistic Strategy vs. Channel Specialisation): Sink or Swim integrates SEO, PPC, and CRO for synergistic growth, while Strike Digital offers world-class, deep expertise in specific paid ad channels, making them a powerful alternative for businesses needing just that.
• Stand-out 2 (SME Focus vs. Enterprise Focus): Sink or Swim’s processes, pricing, and support are explicitly designed for the needs of Irish SMEs. Strike Digital’s structure, including its higher ad spend threshold, is better suited for larger companies ready to scale aggressively.

Financial commitment and contractual flexibility are critical factors for any SME. Sink or Swim Marketing offers a highly accessible entry point at €950/month. Their standout feature is a one-month rolling contract, which places the onus on them to deliver value every single month to retain the client. This effectively acts as a natural performance clause. Their onboarding is a fixed, transparent process designed to get campaigns live within two weeks.

Strike Digital operates on a model suited to its larger, e-commerce clientele, with a minimum engagement starting at €2,500/month. Their contracts typically require a 3 to 6-month initial commitment. This lock-in period is standard for agencies executing long-term strategies, as it gives them the necessary time to test, learn, and scale campaigns. However, it represents a more significant upfront risk for a smaller business.

To create a simple metric for value, we can use a “Value Index” (ROAS ÷ Monthly Fee). For Sink or Swim (using their service-based ROAS), it’s 4.2 ÷ 950 = 0.0044. For Strike Digital (using their e-commerce ROAS), it’s 15.3 ÷ 2500 = 0.0061. While Strike’s index appears higher, it’s crucial to remember this is for two different business models. For a service business, Sink or Swim’s lower entry fee and lead-focused ROI likely represent better real-world value.

Both agencies can point to significant client successes, which solidifies their respective positions in the market. This section provides a concrete review of their proven impact.

Sink or Swim Marketing shared an anonymised case study of a Galway-based solicitor. Before their engagement, the firm was invisible on the first page of Google. Within six months, Sink or Swim secured them the #1 Google Maps ranking for “personal injury solicitor Galway,” leading to a 300% increase in qualified web leads. This is a testament to their expertise in the high-stakes world of local SEO for professional services.

Strike Digital, in contrast, showcases its results publicly with large e-commerce brands. One prominent case study on their website details their work with a major Irish fashion retailer. By managing a €50,000/month budget on TikTok and Instagram, they achieved a sustained 15.3x Return On Ad Spend (ROAS), driving millions in online sales and demonstrating their mastery of high-volume, conversion-focused paid social campaigns.

These examples perfectly illustrate the divide: Sink or Swim creates dominant local players through integrated strategies, while Strike Digital fuels explosive growth for product-based e-commerce businesses.

Making the final call between these two capable agencies comes down to a clear-eyed assessment of your own business. There is no single “best” agency, only the agency that is best for you. Use these final points as your decision-making checklist.

Pick Sink or Swim Marketing if…

• You are a local service-based business (solicitor, dentist, tradesperson, consultant) whose success depends on being found by customers in your geographic area.
• You prioritise flexibility and want a partner who earns your business every month, without being locked into a long-term contract.
• You believe in a holistic approach where your website’s performance, SEO, and paid ads work together to create sustainable growth.
• You value having a direct line to a responsive, local team that provides fast, educational support.

Pick Strike Digital if…

• You are an e-commerce business focused on aggressively scaling online sales and revenue.
• You have a significant and dedicated ad budget (e.g., over €5,000 per month) and need specialists to maximise its return.
• Your primary marketing need is expert management of paid channels like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and TikTok Ads.
• You are comfortable committing to a 3-6 month partnership to allow for a comprehensive, long-term advertising strategy to unfold.

Q1: Is Sink or Swim Marketing good for e-commerce?
A1: Yes, particularly for Irish e-commerce SMEs that need more than just ad management. Their strength lies in building a profitable foundation through a combination of SEO, targeted PPC, and crucial CRO work to improve the website’s conversion rate. They focus on sustainable growth rather than just high ad spend.

Q2: Does Strike Digital do SEO?
A2: Strike Digital offers foundational SEO services, typically technical and on-page optimisation, designed to support their core paid advertising campaigns. However, it is not their primary specialism in the way that it is for Sink or Swim, who offer comprehensive and proactive SEO strategies, especially for local search.

Q3: What is the typical onboarding process like?
A3: Both agencies feature a structured onboarding system. Sink or Swim’s process includes a 90-minute deep-dive strategy call, technical audits, and the setup of a shared, real-time KPI dashboard. Strike Digital’s onboarding is heavily focused on ad account audits, pixel implementation, and creative strategy for paid campaigns.

Q4: Why is there such a big price difference?
A4: The pricing reflects their ideal client profiles and service structures. Sink or Swim’s €950/mo entry point is designed for the budgets of SMEs. Strike Digital’s higher €2,500/mo minimum fee accounts for the complexity, ad spend, and intensive management required for their larger e-commerce clients.

Q5: Can I switch agencies easily?
A5: With Sink or Swim Marketing, switching is straightforward due to their one-month rolling contract, offering maximum flexibility. Switching from Strike Digital requires planning, as you are committed to their minimum term (typically 3-6 months) before you can transition.

Q6: Which agency is better for a brand new business?
A6: For most new Irish businesses, especially those in the service sector, Sink or Swim Marketing’s lower entry price, flexible contract, and foundational approach offer a less risky and more holistic way to begin professional digital marketing.

Q7: How is ROI measured differently by each agency?
A7: This is a key distinction. Sink or Swim typically measures ROI for service clients via metrics like cost-per-qualified-lead and the value of new customer acquisitions. Strike Digital focuses almost exclusively on Return On Ad Spend (ROAS) for e-commerce, which is a direct calculation of revenue generated from ad expenditure.

After a comprehensive analysis of services, performance, support, and value, the verdict of this Sink or Swim Marketing vs Strike Digital comparison is nuanced but clear.

🏅 Sink or Swim Marketing edges out Strike Digital on flexibility, support, and local-search wins.

While Strike Digital’s prowess in the e-commerce advertising space is undeniable and impressive, Sink or Swim Marketing’s holistic model, SME-friendly pricing, no-risk contract, and superior support make them the more versatile and suitable partner for the majority of Irish businesses. Their focus on building a strong, integrated digital foundation provides a more sustainable path to growth for companies that aren’t solely focused on high-volume paid advertising. The final choice is yours, but for all-around performance and partnership, Sink or Swim presents a compelling case.

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Sink or Swim Marketing vs Strike Digital (2025): A neutral review for Irish SMEs. Compare pricing, SEO, PPC, ROI, and support to choose the best agency.