Making SEO Work Without the Waste
We've spent the last eight years figuring out how to help businesses rank better while keeping our own operations lean. Not because it's trendy—because it makes practical sense for everyone involved.
How We Actually Work
Back in 2017, we started Cognitex with a straightforward goal: help companies improve their search visibility without the usual agency bloat. We work remotely, which cuts down on office overhead and commute emissions. Our team of twelve keeps things efficient.
Most of our client relationships last years, not months. That means less churn, fewer onboarding cycles, and strategies that build on themselves over time instead of starting from scratch every quarter.
Three Things That Guide Our Decisions
We don't have a sustainability manifesto printed on recycled paper. But we do make choices based on what actually reduces waste and serves our clients better.
Long-Term Strategy Focus
Quick wins are nice, but they usually don't last. We build SEO strategies designed to perform for years, not just until the next algorithm update. This approach means less constant reinvention and more compounding results that stick around.
Remote-First Operations
Our team spans six states. We've never had an office lease, never bought office furniture, and never dealt with daily commutes. This setup reduces our carbon footprint while letting us hire talented people regardless of where they live.
Efficient Tool Usage
We use about a dozen core tools and really know them well. Instead of subscribing to every new platform, we've invested time in mastering what works. Fewer subscriptions, less software waste, better results from the tools we actually use daily.
What We've Learned Since 2017
Started small, grew carefully, and picked up some useful practices along the way.
Founded as Remote Team
Launched Cognitex with five people across three states. Decided from day one to skip the office lease and build everything digitally. It wasn't a grand environmental statement—we just couldn't afford Manhattan rent.
Shifted to Annual Planning
Convinced our first ten clients to think in years instead of months. This changed everything. Less reporting busy work, more focus on strategies that actually move the needle over time. Client results improved noticeably.
Consolidated Our Tool Stack
Cut our software subscriptions from twenty-eight to twelve. Turned out we were paying for a lot of redundant features. Saved money, reduced complexity, and our team got better at the tools we kept.
Implemented Digital Documentation
Finally went fully paperless. All client deliverables, contracts, and internal docs moved to cloud systems. Easier to search, simpler to share, and no more filing cabinets taking up space in home offices.
Ongoing Efficiency Improvements
Currently working with forty-three clients while maintaining our twelve-person team. We've gotten better at doing more with less—not by cutting corners, but by eliminating steps that never added real value in the first place.
Fletcher Drummond
Operations Lead"The best sustainability practice is just building things that last. When clients stick around for years, you avoid all the waste that comes with constant turnover. Plus, you get to see strategies actually mature instead of always starting over."