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Growth channel · SEO & organic search
Businesses that grew with sEO & organic search
The 1M.chat dataset has 969 businesses that credited seo & organic search. 711 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $40K a month, and 36% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 3 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were SEO & organic search (100%), organic social media (62%), paid ads (39%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 32 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 135 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 215 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 75 | |
| $1M+ a year | 215 | |
| $1M+ a month | 39 |
Growth channels credited
| SEO & organic search | 100% | |
| Organic social media | 62% | |
| Paid ads | 39% | |
| Email & newsletters | 34% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 30% |
Share of 711 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Software & SaaS | 263 | |
| Agencies & services | 159 | |
| Newsletters, blogs & media | 84 | |
| Other physical products | 54 | |
| Courses & education | 53 | |
| Marketplaces & platforms | 53 |
Tools named most: Instagram (35%), Twitter (22%), Google Drive (11%), Shopify (11%), YouTube (11%) — of 238 that listed tools.
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShipMonkAgencies & services | Ecommerce order fulfillment and logistics services | $62.5Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| FilterbuyOther physical products | Pleated air filters and HVAC services | $250M/yrfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| BrüMateHome, lifestyle & gifts | Insulated drinkware for adult beverages | $12Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| Xero ShoesFashion, apparel & accessories | minimalist shoes and sandals | $6.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| Transformify: Wor...Software & SaaS | global payroll and contractor payment software | $5Mfounder interview 2021 | United Kingdom |
| Diesel LaptopsOther physical products | diesel diagnostic hardware, software and services | $4.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| GetSpiffy, Inc.Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Mobile car wash, detailing, oil change and tire services | $4Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| OffiNeedsOther physical products | Corporate gifting and custom merchandise | $3.4Mfounder interview 2022 | India |
| Growers HouseOther physical products | cannabis cultivation equipment and supplies | $3.1Mfounder interview | United States |
| UPQODEAgencies & services | Website design and development services and WordPress themes | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| FactoflySoftware & SaaS | admin and invoicing tool for freelancers | $2.4Mfounder interview 2022 | Denmark |
| Honest FulPhilmentAgencies & services | Sourcing, branding and fulfillment services from China | $2Mfounder interview 2021 | China |
| International Cer...Other physical products | Ceramics manufacturing for industrial clients | $2Mfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| QALOFashion, apparel & accessories | Silicone wedding rings and functional jewelry | $2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| DetraPelOther physical products | protective stain-repellent sprays for fabric and leather | $1.9Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| GR0Agencies & services | SEO and organic growth marketing | $1.8Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| ProjectorScreen.comOther physical products | Projectors, screens and audio-visual equipment | $1.7Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Hennessey DigitalAgencies & services | SEO and digital marketing services for law firms | $20M/yrfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| CanvasChampOther physical products | custom photo prints and wall decor | $1.5Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| LensaMarketplaces & platforms | AI-powered job search platform | $1.5Mfounder interview 2023 | United States |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. Channels come from Starter Story's listed growth channels and from what founders said worked in their interviews, grouped by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses that credited seo & organic search typically make?
Among 711 businesses that credited seo & organic search with founder-reported revenue, the median was $40K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many businesses that credited seo & organic search reached $1M a year?
254 of 711 (36%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses that credited seo & organic search find customers?
Of 711 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited SEO & organic search (100%), organic social media (62%), paid ads (39%), email & newsletters (34%), word of mouth & referrals (30%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
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