FAQ
Straight Answers.
No Runaround.
Straight answers about how I work, what I charge, and whether I'm the right fit. No corporate speak.
Who is Zach Hipes?
I'm a digital strategist based in Atlanta and the creator of the Found First methodology — a system that makes businesses the answer customers find first across search and AI. My work spans SEO, AEO (AI Engine Optimization), GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), paid search, and AI automation. I bring 8+ years of enterprise and independent client experience to every engagement.
What services does Zachary Hipes offer?
I work in three productized tiers through the Found First methodology. The Audit ($2,500) tells you exactly where money is being wasted and where you're invisible in search and AI. The Install ($4,500) rebuilds your search, paid, AI, and tracking infrastructure in 60 days. The Operate ($7,500/month) keeps the system compounding — expanding your AI citation footprint, improving paid efficiency, and sharpening revenue attribution quarter over quarter.
Where is Zach Hipes based?
Roswell, Georgia — about 25 minutes north of downtown Atlanta. I work with clients locally across the Atlanta metro and remotely across the U.S. Most communication happens over Zoom, Slack, or email. If you're in Atlanta and want to meet in person, I'm always down for that too.
How is working with you different from hiring an agency?
Accountability and speed. Most agencies optimize for retaining clients — I optimize for results. If a campaign isn't working, I flag it the same week and come with a fix, not a slide deck explaining why we need another month of data. You also get direct access — no ticketing systems, no waiting for an account manager to relay a message. When something needs to change, it changes fast.
What industries do you specialize in?
I've done deep work in automotive (digital advertising, inventory-based campaigns, margin-weighted budgeting), home services (HVAC, plumbing, roofing, appliance repair), and local/multi-location businesses. That said, the frameworks I use — audit the data, cut the waste, scale what converts — work for any business that generates leads or sells services. If your revenue depends on people finding you online, we can probably work together.
What do you mean by AI strategy?
I mean solving specific business problems with AI tools, not slapping a chatbot on your website. Real example: a client's team was spending 20+ hours a week manually sorting leads, writing follow-up emails, and pulling competitor pricing data. I automated 80% of that with custom workflows. No one got replaced — they just stopped doing repetitive work and started closing more deals. I also help businesses get cited by AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, which is a channel most companies aren't thinking about yet.
How much does it cost?
The Audit starts at $2,500 (two-week engagement). The Install starts at $4,500 (60-day engagement). The Operate retainer starts at $7,500/month (ongoing). The Audit fee is credited toward your first month if you move forward with an Install. I don't do hourly billing, I don't do one-off projects under $1,500, and I don't take clients I can't help. Reach out and tell me what you're dealing with — I'll recommend a tier and give you a straight answer on what it would take.
What kind of results can I expect?
Results vary by business, market, and starting point — I won't guarantee specific numbers because that's not honest. What I can tell you is what I've delivered for past clients in similar situations: significant cost-per-acquisition reductions, measurable increases in qualified lead volume, and trackable revenue attribution that shows exactly which campaigns and keywords drove sales. Every engagement starts with an Audit that identifies specific opportunities and projected impact.
How do I get started?
Every engagement starts with an Audit. Send a message through the contact form or email hello@zachhipes.com directly. You'll get a response within one business day with a recommended tier and a clear next step. First conversation is simple — tell me what's working, what's not, and what you're trying to accomplish. I'll tell you honestly whether I can help and what the audit would look like. No pitch decks, no 'discovery call' scripts.
Do you build websites?
Yes, and they're fast. I build with Next.js and React — no WordPress, no page builders, no 4-second load times. Here's why that matters: Google uses page speed as a ranking factor, and 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load. Every site I build loads in under 2 seconds, scores 90+ on PageSpeed Insights, and is structured for both traditional SEO and AI-powered search. This site you're on right now is an example of my work.
Ready to see what the audit finds?
Ask me directly. I don't bite and I don't sell.
Start with an audit