Operator + adviser
I still run live sites and try things on my own projects before I recommend them to clients.
About
Builder, operator, consultant
I’ve spent 15+ years in search and digital growth, from FTSE 250 budgets to bootstrapped sites I built myself. I sold an education portfolio for seven figures in 2021 and I’m still building today.
What makes me different
Not your typical digital consultant
Most consultants advise. I’ve built, scaled, sold, and I’m still doing it. That changes how I work with clients.
Corporate + bootstrap
From FTSE 250 search budgets to bootstrapping from zero — I’ve worked at both ends of the scale.
Acquire, grow, exit
I’ve bought aged sites, scaled them into subscription businesses, and sold the portfolio for seven figures.
Solo, by design
You work with me directly. No account managers, no jargon, no agency overhead.
Background
I started in corporate search and PPC with FTSE 250 companies, competitive verticals and multi-million-pound budgets. These days I’m equally at home bootstrapping a new site from scratch.
My work sits in two places: growing my own projects, and advising a select number of clients who want practical help, not slides and jargon.
Clever Bytes Ltd
For five years I built Clever Bytes Ltd, acquiring aged education websites, turning them into subscription businesses, and scaling organic traffic across a portfolio of 20+ sites. I built and led a global distributed team before selling the business in May 2021 for over seven figures.
Sites in that portfolio included A Level Biology, A Level Chemistry, KidsKonnect, School History and Nine Planets. That experience shapes how I work with clients today: finding assets, proving traction, building teams, and positioning for sale.
Working with me
If you have an online business idea, want to acquire and grow web assets, or are thinking about a future exit, I can help. I also take on SEO and PPC consultancy for businesses that prefer a hands-on, one-to-one service from a solo digital consultant rather than an agency.
Career thread
Where I learned what I know
From early career in corporate search to building, selling, and what I do today.
-
Corporate Premier Farnell
European eCommerce & search
“Integral to the success of the department and European business.”
Philip Crampton · Premier Farnell -
In-house High Speed Training
Organic growth & content marketing
“Significantly helped build the brand’s online presence.”
Louise Petty · High Speed Training -
Founder · Exit 2021 Clever Bytes Ltd
Portfolio build & seven-figure exit
“20+ sites, 12M+ organic visits a year at peak, global distributed team.”
-
Builder + adviser Today
Own projects + selective consultancy
“Filled a skills gap we had within the organisation.”
Jon Milsom · Pitchero.com
Principles
What I believe
A few straight principles I try to live by.
Skin in the game
I run my own sites; advice is tested on my own money.
Tell it like it is
I don’t hide behind technical jargon. I’d rather be straight about what needs doing.
Consistency beats intensity
Sustainable growth, not burnout sprints.
What I’m building now
Active projects I run alongside consultancy.
Helping With Math
Education
10M+
reach / year
K–8 math worksheets and resources for teachers and parents.
Visit site →
Retirement Calculators
Finance
50+
calculators
UK retirement planning tools for FIRE, pensions, property and tax modelling.
Visit site →
Public Sector Calculators
Public Sector
1,500+
calculators
Pay, leave and pension tools for NHS, teaching and civil service staff.
Visit site →
School Checker
Education
21,000+
schools covered
Free school finder with Ofsted, maps and local context for every school in England.
Visit site →Good fit / not a fit
I only take on a few projects at a time. Here is who I work best with, and the kind of support I don’t offer.
Good fit
- You have an online business idea and want help validating or building it
- You own a site and want to grow traffic, revenue, or prepare for a sale
- You want one experienced person, not a rotating agency team
Not a fit
- You need a large agency team or account manager layer
- You want reports and meetings without hands-on implementation
- Price is the only decision factor
Life
Outside work
Family time close to home in Yorkshire, and longer adventures across Europe in the campervan.
Yorkshire
I’m based in Wakefield and spend most of my time outdoors with my wife and kids, cycling, walking, and exploring Yorkshire.
Campervan
We also like to explore new places and in our campervan we regularly travel Europe looking for adventure.
How I work
- See if we’re a good fit Get in touch and tell me about your project. We’ll talk through what you need and whether working together makes sense.
- Hands-on You work with me directly. The person you speak to is the person doing the work.
- A few clients at a time I only take on two or three projects at once, so each client gets proper attention.
Testimonials
Ryan’s knowledge of SEO is exceptional. Unlike every other self-proclaimed “SEO expert” I have spoken with, Ryan doesn’t hide behind technical jargon and tells it like it is. Most importantly, he has a firm grasp of what needs to be done.
Alex Goldstein – AG & Associates
A huge thank you Ryan for your support, knowledge and training you have offered. We have made fantastic progress and have seen great results as a result of Ryan’s work with us on our Google AdWords campaigns…
Laura Cornish – B38 Group
Ryan has revolutionised the SEO and PPC areas of our business which has resulted in unprecedented growth. His knowledge and leadership in this area has been invaluable to our business. I can recommend him highly…
Jamie Coverley – Network Brands
Ryan’s Digital marketing knowledge filled a skills gap we had within the organisation. His technical training session & hands on guidance helped us define our Digital strategies as the business grew into North American territories….
Jon Milsom – Pitchero.com
Ryan was a key member of my European eCommerce team for ~18 months at Farnell. A very likeable, technical, hard working, team player who was integral to the success of the department and European business…
Philip Crampton – Premier Farnell
Ryan was an integral part of the marketing team at HST and significantly helped to build up the brand’s online presence by creating our successful resources blog, increasing organic search traffic & improving the way…
Louise Petty – High Speed Training
Let’s work together
Building something online, or thinking about it? I help a small number of founders and businesses with the practical, hands-on support they need to grow.