About
We help established South African businesses be found, trusted and chosen.
1st Content Digital is a digital growth and AI consultancy. We join up strategy, content, social media, SEO and AI optimisation, with automation, transformation consulting and training behind them. An experienced team in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with clients on three continents.
Book a consultation See our work
2011working with SA businesses
70+websites built
3continents worked across
2teams, Johannesburg and Cape Town
Proof you can check
Do not take our word for it. Check it.
The sites, research and prices below are all open to inspect. We do not publish client revenue or traffic figures without the client’s permission.
See what we have built.
More than 70 websites since 2011. A selection of live sites is on our Our Work page, with the address of each so you can visit it yourself.
See the live websites → Data and researchRead how we think.
The Intelligence Lab shows how we collect, analyse and explain data, including studies built on public reports, with the method stated.
Open the Intelligence Lab → PricesKnow the cost before you call.
Our packages are priced in Rands and published, so you can judge fit and budget before any conversation.
See pricing →Track record
Recognised by peers, quoted by the press.
An experienced team that has worked across three continents, with specialist depth in the sectors below.
Award
Innovator of the Year
South African Chamber of Commerce
Appearances and features in
- The Guardian
- BBC
- The Wall Street Journal (Europe)
- Fast Company
- Marketing Week
- Mail & Guardian
- BusinessTech
- MyBroadband
- TechSmart
- NextBillion
- SaugaTalks
- Bizcommunity
- Cape Times
- Investors Weekly
- Radio 702 (John Robbie)
- Good Hope FM
- Channel 3 TV
The Guardian: expert commentary on Lego’s brand recovery and digital engagement.
Where we specialise
Sectors we know well.
Depth in a sector means we already understand your buyers, your regulators and your language before the first meeting.
Financial services and fintech
Trust-led search, compliant content and measurement for regulated businesses.
02Corporate finance and asset management
Thought leadership and visibility for advisory and investment firms.
03Education and executive training
Enquiry journeys for institutions and executive education providers.
04Technology and AI companies
Search visibility, content and automation for technology businesses.
05Healthcare
Digital marketing and SEO for healthcare providers.
06Small and growing businesses
Practical digital marketing sized to the budget.
How we got here
From websites to joined-up growth.
Each stage came from what clients needed next, and each one still sits in the same plan.
- 2011
Websites
We began by building websites for South African businesses and ventures.
- Then
Search and content
SEO, content and social media followed, because a website no one finds does not work for anyone.
- Now
AI, systems and skills
Practical AI and automation, transformation consulting and training for your own team.
What happens after you get in touch
Your first 60 days, in order.
We agree the work in writing before it starts, show you what we find, and report against the outcome you care about.
- Week 1
Discovery
We learn your goals, customers and constraints, and review what you already have.
- Weeks 2–3
Plan
A written plan with priorities, owners and measures, agreed with you before we build.
- Weeks 3–4
Build and launch
The first pieces go live and are tested before anything is switched on.
- Ongoing
Review and improve
Monthly review of what moved, what did not and what we change next.
The baseline
Where you stand today, recorded from your own data so progress can be checked.
The plan
Priorities ranked by effort and upside, with who does what and by when.
The report
A monthly view from activity to enquiries, with what we do next.
Fit
We’re not for everyone. That’s the point.
The right partner isn’t the one that says yes to everybody. We are selective because we would rather do fewer things properly.
Real commitment
Budget and time to do the work properly, and measured enough that every rand is accounted for.
Honest reporting
Leaders who want the real picture, including what did not work.
Evidence over opinion
Decisions made from data, not from whoever is loudest in the room.
Room to build
Established businesses that want something that lasts beyond one campaign.
Tell us what you want to change.
The first conversation covers your goals, what you already have and whether we are the right fit. If we are, we will propose a practical first step in writing. If not, we will say so.
Johannesburg (Sandton) and Cape Town. info@1stcontent.co, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.