Big Storm Review: A Data-Driven Digital Marketing Powerhouse

Picture this: You’ve poured your heart into your business, but your online presence feels invisible. Your website isn’t ranking, your social media engagement is crickets, and you’re not sure where to even begin fixing it. That’s where Big Storm, a Bozeman-based digital marketing agency, comes in. Founded in 2008 by Drew Schug, this team has evolved from a one-man SEO and web design shop into a full-service digital marketing force.

I had the chance to work with Big Storm on a website overhaul and SEO strategy, and their data-first approach made all the difference. Here’s a deep dive into what makes them stand out—and where they could fine-tune things.

1. Data-Driven Strategy That Actually Works

Big Storm doesn’t just throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks—they analyze, test, and refine. Their team dives deep into web analytics, keyword research, and competitor insights before making recommendations. Unlike some agencies that rely on vague "best practices," they back up their strategies with hard numbers.

For my project, they didn’t just promise better rankings—they showed me the exact search volume for my target keywords, how competitors were performing, and a clear roadmap to outrank them. It was refreshing to see transparency in their process, with regular reports that actually made sense (no jargon overload).

2. Web Design That Balances Aesthetics & Functionality

A pretty website means nothing if it doesn’t convert. Big Storm’s design team nails the balance between visual appeal and usability. They focus on mobile optimization, fast load times, and intuitive navigation—all things Google loves.

My site’s redesign wasn’t just a facelift; they restructured the layout to guide visitors toward key actions (booking calls, signing up for emails). They also integrated SEO best practices from the start, ensuring my content was structured for both users and search engines.

3. Social Media Marketing That Feels Authentic

Some agencies treat social media as an afterthought, but Big Storm builds strategic, platform-specific campaigns. They don’t just post for the sake of posting—they analyze what content resonates, when to post, and how to engage with the audience meaningfully.

For my business, they crafted a mix of educational posts, behind-the-scenes content, and targeted promotions, all while keeping the brand voice consistent. The best part? They didn’t just hand me a content calendar and disappear—they adjusted based on performance data.

4. Room for Improvement? A Few Minor Notes

No agency is perfect, and while Big Storm excels in strategy and execution, there were a couple of areas where they could level up:

• Response times—During peak periods, follow-ups occasionally took a day or two longer than expected.
• Pricing transparency—While their services deliver value, a clearer breakdown of costs upfront would help with budgeting.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

✅ Strengths:

• Data-backed strategies (no guesswork)
• Clean, conversion-focused web design
• Social media marketing with measurable results
• Transparent reporting

⚠️ Considerations:

• Slight delays in communication during busy times
• Pricing structure could be more detailed upfront

Final Thoughts

Big Storm isn’t just another digital marketing agency—they’re strategic partners who use data to drive real growth. Their expertise in SEO, web design, and social media makes them a strong choice for businesses ready to take their online presence seriously.

If you’re looking for an agency that combines creativity with analytics, Big Storm delivers. Just be sure to ask for a detailed scope of work upfront to align on expectations.