Steve Bates
Founder & Director of SEO Strategy | Digado
Steve Bates is the founder of Digado and the driving force behind its local-first, results-driven approach to SEO and digital marketing. With nearly two decades of experience across finance, technology, and search engine optimization, Steve brings a rare combination of strategic insight and technical know-how to every client engagement.
Since launching Digado in 2017, Steve has helped small businesses, nonprofits, and niche retailers punch above their weight online—especially in industries where big-box brands dominate. He’s worked shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone from outdoor shop owners to nonprofit directors, crafting strategies that improve visibility, drive traffic, and convert clicks into loyal customers.
Before Digado, Steve built his career in finance and operations, serving as CFO for tech startups and leading business audits for YUM! Brands and Ernst & Young. He holds an MBA from the University of Louisville and has continued to level up with post-graduate work in Geographic Information Science, Accounting, and Artificial Intelligence.
What sets Steve apart is his practical, get-things-done mindset. He’s not afraid to dive into the data or roll up his sleeves to fix a website’s local SEO structure. His specialty lies in making complex marketing concepts approachable—and in helping clients grow sustainably, one smart step at a time.
When he’s not optimizing Google Business Profiles or refining digital strategy, you’ll probably find him coaching youth soccer, road-tripping with his three boys, or brainstorming his next big idea (often involving drones or weather).
Social Profiles