ai marketing agency, reading

AI marketing agency: search, AI answers & ads that win enquiries

Search, AI answers and ads, reported by cost per enquiry.

350+ Projects delivered
60+ Five-star Google reviews
20+ Years building & ranking websites
50+ Businesses helped to implement AI
SonyVodafoneSymantecXP PowerSonardyne
where marketing fails

Marketing fails when nobody joins the channels up

Marketing fails when three channels sit in three agencies, reports hide what a lead costs, and the work stops when the invoice stops.

[ 01 ]

Three agencies for three channels

SEO, ads and AI visibility each have a vendor. Nobody joins the plan up, so you pay three times for work that pulls in different directions.

01Split vendors
[ 02 ]

Reports that hide cost per enquiry

Rankings, impressions and click charts look busy. They do not tell you what a lead cost, or whether the month was worth it.

02Vanity reports
[ 03 ]

Content nobody searches for

Blog posts and service pages that answer no real search. Volume without intent wastes crawl budget and budget.

03No intent
[ 04 ]

AI answers recommending competitors

Buyers ask ChatGPT, Claude or Google AI who to hire, and a competitor gets named. You never see the miss.

04AI gap
[ 05 ]

Ad budget with no tracking

Spend goes out while conversion tracking is broken or counts the wrong things. You cannot tell what each pound bought.

05Blind spend
[ 06 ]

Marketing that stops when the invoice stops

The retainer ends and so does the work. Nothing compounds in your site, your accounts or your data.

06Rented results
what is an ai marketing agency

What is an AI marketing agency?

An AI marketing agency helps you get found where buyers look now: Google search, AI answers from ChatGPT, Claude and Google AI, and paid ads. At Code23 the three channels sit under one plan, every change lands in your own site and accounts, and one monthly report puts cost per enquiry first.

Code23 is a strong fit when

  • UK businesses that need search, AI answers and paid ads joined up under one plan.
  • Teams tired of three vendors for three channels and reports that hide cost per enquiry.
  • Owners who want a named senior person accountable for every change.
  • Firms ready to share GA4, Search Console and ad account access so measurement is honest.

We may not be the right fit when

  • Anyone wanting a chatbot to run marketing with no human checking it.
  • Anyone wanting a guaranteed ranking, citation or cost per lead before we have seen the data.
  • Businesses that will not share analytics or account access for measurement.
choosing an agency

Evidence to check before you choose

  • 01 Ask who is accountable for every change, and what happens when something breaks.
  • 02 Ask which channel they would start with, and why.
  • 03 Ask what you see each month, and whether cost per enquiry comes first.
  • 04 Ask who owns the accounts and data if you leave.
what we do

Marketing across search, AI answers and ads

AEO and AI visibility

Get recommended by ChatGPT, Claude and Google AI. We measure who appears instead of you, then close the gap.

SEO and content

Rankings you can measure. Technical fixes shipped in your codebase, pages that answer real searches, reporting in Search Console and GA4.

Google Ads and Shopping

Campaigns on your own account, with landing pages that match the ad and conversion tracking that shows cost per enquiry.

Landing pages and conversion

We build the pages. The promise in the ad or the search result is the first thing on the page.

Measurement in your own analytics

GA4, Search Console and the analytics you already use. You keep the data. We report cost per enquiry first.

Social plan that supports search and paid

A social plan inside the wider marketing work, not a standalone route. It backs the search and paid channels you already chose.

How we work

First we find the gap, then we work it

Six steps from a first look across the three channels to a monthly report with cost per enquiry first. You always know what we measured, what we changed, and what comes next.

Step 1

Review all channels

We talk through AI answers, rankings and ads with you, so you know which channel is the biggest gap before you spend more.

Scanning market
51.4360°N / 1.0651°W 6 signals

Step 2

Pick the biggest gap

AEO, SEO or Google Ads. Start where the miss is largest, not where the loudest vendor pitches.

Spec 02 / grid 8px
Scope locked 1390px

Step 3

Value every lead

Before we change more, we agree what an enquiry is worth to you and what success looks like in numbers.

Sprint 03
Working software Week 2

Step 4

One senior owner

Audits, copy, monitoring and Ads changes all go through a senior person who decides what goes live and owns the result.

Audit: release 2.4
✓
✓
✓
✗ ✓
✓
✓
0 critical 6 checks passed

Step 5

Ship every change

Fixes land in your codebase, your Google Ads account and your analytics. You keep the work if we stop.

Deploy: production Live
Uptime 100.00% v1.0.0

Step 6

Report monthly

A report you can read in five minutes: what moved, what it cost, what we change next.

Release cadence
v1.0 v1.4 v2.0
Shipping weekly +340%
the audit

A full audit on the route you choose

Tell us which of AI answers, rankings or ads worries you most and we will scope a fixed-price audit on that route.

Fixed prices

Full audit on the route you choose

Deep work on the channel with the biggest gap

From £1,500 (+VAT)

The AI visibility audit and the technical SEO audit are each £1,500 (+VAT), fixed. Google Ads reviews are free; our management fee is from £1,850 a month, with ad spend paid separately to Google.

  • Full AI visibility audit when AEO is the route
  • Full technical SEO and content audit when SEO is the route
  • Free Google Ads review when paid search is the route
  • Prioritised fix list for the chosen route
  • Written report you can act on
  • Fixed prices published before you buy
  • Credited against ongoing work where stated on that route
start here

Not sure which route to open?

Four starting points. Pick the one that matches where you are today, or just talk to us.

  1. 01

    Not sure which channel is the gap

    Talk to us. We look at AI answers, rankings and ads with you and say where to start.

    Talk to us →
  2. 02

    Already running ads

    Get a free Google Ads review. Wasted spend, tracking gaps and the three changes to make first.

    Free Google Ads review →
  3. 03

    Site never audited

    Start with the Technical SEO & Content Audit. Every page crawled, keywords mapped and a prioritised fix list.

    SEO audit →
  4. 04

    Want to know if AI recommends you

    Start with the AI Visibility & Search Audit. Who ChatGPT and Google AI name instead of you, and a 90-day plan.

    AI visibility audit →
why code23

Six reasons to trust Code23 with your marketing

[ 01 ]

60+ five-star Google reviews

Every one is a named client reviewing us on Google, not a quote we picked. Read them before you book anything, then hold us to the same standard.

[ 02 ]

50+ businesses helped to implement AI

Practical AI work for more than fifty UK businesses, from workshops to production systems.

[ 03 ]

350+ projects launched

Websites, SaaS platforms, marketplaces and ecommerce builds shipped for UK businesses. Marketing sits on work we have delivered hundreds of times.

[ 04 ]

Since 2005

Twenty years under the same brand. The channels change; the need for honest measurement and a person who owns the result does not.

[ 05 ]

You keep everything we build

Changes land in your own site, Google Ads account and analytics, with a named senior person accountable for each one. If you leave, the accounts and work stay yours.

[ 06 ]

Prices on the page

Route audits publish fixed prices where they apply. Ongoing work is agreed after you have seen the gap, not before.

which route first

Which route first?

Use the signal on the left. Go means start there. No-go means do not spend there first.

When AI consultancy can help and when a business may be ready to build
Signal Go No-go
You need enquiries this quarter Start with Google Ads. Buy the searches people already type, with landing pages and tracking that show cost per enquiry. Do not wait for SEO alone if the pipeline has to move this quarter.
Buyers research you in ChatGPT Start with AEO. Measure who assistants name today, then close the citation gap. Do not pour more blog volume into classic SEO alone if the miss is inside the answer.
Your site was never audited Start with SEO. Crawl, index and content problems block every other channel. Do not scale ads or chase AI citations on a site Google cannot read cleanly.
You sell nationally in a competitive market Usually SEO plus AEO together: rankings you can measure, and citations inside AI answers. A local-only plan will not cover national demand.
You sell locally in Reading or Berkshire Local SEO and Google Business Profile first, then ads for the phrases that already convert nearby. A national content mill will not beat a clear local presence.
You already run ads Start with a free Google Ads review. Cut waste and fix tracking before you raise spend. Do not add budget on top of broken conversion tracking.
Conceptual photograph comparing organic search rankings with paid search ads on a desk
the full guide

SEO vs PPC: which should a UK business pay for first?

PPC buys clicks and enquiries while you spend. SEO earns rankings you can keep compounding. Same buyers, different speed, cost and ownership.

Guide · 8 min read

published work

Sites we already build, support and improve

ECOMMERCE GROWTH PARTNERSHIP

A long-term ecommerce partnership delivering 40% sales growth

Williamson Tea

“Pleasure to work with and very happy about the design element, general service and performance of Code23.”

Ed Magor portrait
Ed Magor Director, Williamson Tea
Williamson Tea project

Verified client review

Williamson Tea / Project evidence

In their own words.

“Pleasure to work with and very happy about the design element, general service and performance of Code23.

Full review / 1 paragraph
WEBSITE SUPPORT & GROWTH

An ongoing WordPress partnership for a UK vending leader

Connect Vending
Connect Vending project
PLATFORM EVOLUTION & SUPPORT

A global product platform supported as its catalogue and locales evolve

XP Power
XP Power project

verified reviews

On the record, on Google

Real reviews from our Google Business profile.

Google 60+ reviews →

We've recently completed Phase 1 of a bespoke business valuation tool with James at Code23, and I've been extremely impressed. He has taken the time to understand both the commercial and technical requirements, communicated clearly throughout, and delivered a well-thought-out system with a high level of flexibility. The admin dashboard, in particular, gives us full control over the scoring and valuation logic, which was a key requirement. I'm looking forward to working with James on Phase 2 and would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone looking for bespoke software development – Jason Atkins, Director, Lansley Commercial

Jason Atkins portrait
Jason Atkins Lansley Commercial

We couldn’t be happier with the service from Code23. They were a pleasure to work with—friendly, professional, and really took the time to understand our needs. They met our brief perfectly, delivering a website that looks great and performs exactly as we envisioned, all at excellent value for money. What sets Code23 apart is their aftercare. Knowing they are on hand to monitor and maintain our website means we never have to worry about its performance. Their ongoing support gives us complete peace of mind, and we’d highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled web development team

Dan Isterling portrait
Dan Isterling Premier Community

It has truly been a fantastic experience working with the Code23 team. Every part of the process from the scoping and onboarding down to the design and implementation of our website was handled excellently. The quality of service delivered by the team is globally top standard and I couldn't be more satisfied with the final outcome.

Samuel Elili portrait
Samuel Elili Redwire Group

I have worked with Code23 and their team for over 5 years across 3 different projects ranging from mobile app development to custom WordPress websites. Together the team bring a level of expertise and professionalism I have not seen anywhere else... The results achieved have really helped to grow our business. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a custom project to be completed on time and in budget.

Alexander Campbell portrait
Alexander Campbell EnjoyCBD

We worked with Code23 for a complete rebuild of our music related website. Excellent customer service and quality throughout and the build they have now completed is fantastic - exceeded all expectations across the board. Fantastic company with a dynamic and motivated team who are great to work with. Would highly recommend!

Nathan Fullbrook portrait
Nathan Fullbrook Jamma Music

Joe and the team at code23 have done a fantastic job helping us design and build our new website. I feel they really captured the quality of the Draks brand. Would highly recommend.

Louise Sellar portrait
Louise Sellar Draks
About Code23

Reading-based. Shipping since 2005.

Code23 is a Reading, Berkshire AI marketing agency that has built and ranked websites since 2005. We publish prices where they are fixed, report cost per enquiry first, and a named senior person is accountable for every change.

Meet Code23
Est. 2005 Reading, UK Hands-on senior team
The Code23 team working together in the Reading studio
Fig. 01 - The team, Reading studio Theale studio
James, founder of Code23
Fig. 02 - James, founder EST. 2005
A product review session at Code23
Fig. 03 - Product review WK 34 / 2026

guides

Marketing guides

SEO vs PPC, AEO vs SEO, what digital marketing costs, and how the three routes fit together. Written from the work we run on our own site and client projects.

View all posts
faq

AI marketing agency questions

What is an AI marketing agency?

An agency that gets you found wherever buyers look now: Google search, AI answers from ChatGPT, Claude and Google AI, and paid ads. At Code23 those three sit under one plan, and every change is measured by what an enquiry costs you.

How much does a digital marketing agency cost in the UK?

The AI visibility audit and the technical SEO audit are each £1,500 (+VAT), fixed. Google Ads reviews are free. Management and ongoing work are agreed after you have seen the gap on the route you choose. We do not publish retainer figures here because the scope depends on what the audit finds.

Do you use AI to do the work?

Yes. We use AI tools during the work, with senior specialists responsible for every change and its release. Strategy, live changes and your relationship with us stay with a named person.

Who is accountable when something breaks?

A named senior person at Code23 decides what goes live. If a change causes a problem, that person owns the fix. You are never left talking to a bot about a live issue.

Do you do social media?

Yes, as a social plan that supports the search and paid work, not as a standalone route. Social sits inside the wider plan so it backs the channels that bring enquiries, rather than running as a separate vanity feed.

Do you work with businesses outside Reading?

Yes. We are based in Reading, Berkshire, and work with clients across the UK. Workshops and reviews can run remotely or in person.

Is digital marketing still worth it in 2026?

Yes, when you can measure cost per enquiry and you start on the channel with the biggest gap. Google still sends high-intent visits, AI answers now shape early research, and paid search still buys pipeline this quarter. The miss is usually joining those up, not picking one slogan.

SEO, AEO or Google Ads first?

Choose Google Ads when you need enquiries this quarter. Choose SEO when the site was never audited or you need rankings you can measure. Choose AEO when buyers already research your category in ChatGPT, Claude or Google AI.

Which AI agent is best for marketing?

None on its own. A tool can draft copy or flag a problem, but it does not know what an enquiry is worth to you or which channel has the biggest gap. Results come from the plan and the measurement behind it, which is why we start by measuring where you stand.

Can I hire an AI agent?

You can buy tools that call themselves agents. What we sell instead is marketing work with a senior person accountable for every change: route audit, then ongoing work on AEO, SEO or Google Ads in your own accounts and site.

get started

Speak to us about your marketing

Tell us what you sell and where, and we will say which of AI answers, rankings or ads to fix first. Full audits on the route you choose publish fixed prices where they apply.