How We Rank New Zealand Agencies
Agencies.nz ranks agencies using directory data. The most complete, well-documented profiles rise to the top.
The ranking cannot be bought. No agency pays for placement, and no upgrade moves an agency up the list. Paid listings and ranking are computed entirely separately — money changes how a profile looks, never where it ranks.
1091
Agencies
433
Specialties
16
Regions
28
Verified
771
Clients
Free vs Claimed Profiles
Every agency starts with a free listing — basic information we've collected from public sources. When an agency claims their profile, they gain control over their page and unlock the ability to add their real clients, projects, and branding.
Free Listing
Directory-sourced, basic info
- ○Name, description, location
- ○Auto-generated specialties
- ○No verification badge
- ○No custom branding
- ○Limited client info
- ○Basic score from available data
Claimed Profile
Agency-managed, on-brand
- ✦Full control over all content
- ✦Custom branding and layout
- ✦Verified badge earned
- ✦List real client relationships
- ✦Showcase projects and case studies
- ✦Higher score from complete data
Why this matters for rankings
Claiming does not, by itself, add a single point to your score — and neither does any paid upgrade. What claiming does is let you add real, verifiable data: your actual client portfolio, your projects, your full list of specialities. The score rises because there is now more attributable information to measure — not because you claimed, and never because you paid.
What Counts
Rankings are derived from agency listing data. Free listings use information we've collected from public sources. Claimed profiles contain data provided directly by the agency.
Ranking signals
- ✓Verification status
- ✓Client portfolio size
- ✓Number of specialities
- ✓Track record and projects
- ✓Years in business
- ✓Website and email presence
How Scoring Works
Each agency is scored automatically using seven signals. The score reflects the completeness and quality of their directory listing. A higher score means a more established, well-documented agency — whether their data comes from public sources or their own claimed profile.
Verification Status
30 points maxVerification is a free identity check — we confirm the agency is real, actively trading, and stands behind its listing. It is never sold and cannot be bought; a paid listing with no verified identity scores zero here, just like a free one.
Client Portfolio
25 points max (5 pts per client)The number of notable client relationships an agency lists on their profile. A broader portfolio signals greater experience and trust from the market. Agencies curate their own client list when they claim their page.
Expertise Breadth
24 points max (8 pts per speciality)The range of specialities an agency covers. Broader expertise indicates greater capability depth.
Track Record
50 points max (10 pts per project)Number of featured projects and case studies. Claimed agencies can add their work to build this score. This is the most impactful signal for claimed profiles — each project is worth 10 points, up to 50 total.
Years in Business
20 points max (2 pts per year)Agencies with longer operating histories score higher. Longevity indicates stability and sustained client demand.
Public Presence
20 points maxHaving a verifiable website, email, and social media profiles adds credibility points.
NZ Based
6 pointsAll agencies in our directory are verified as operating in New Zealand, with a listed region. This confirms local presence and market knowledge.
Update Frequency
Rankings are recalculated each time an agency listing is updated. When an agency adds new clients, projects, or updates their claimed profile, their score is automatically recalculated. The directory is built statically, with scores reflecting the most recent build.
For Agencies
Agencies enter the directory with a free listing. To improve your score and control your brand presence, claim your profile and complete your information.
Claim your profile
Take control of your page. Once claimed, you can customise the branding, update your description, and make the page truly yours. This also unlocks the verified badge, which is worth 30 points.
List your real clients and projects
Your client portfolio is worth 25 points. Showcase the brands you've partnered with and the work you've delivered. Quality and accuracy matter — list real, attributable client relationships.
Cover your specialities
List all the specialities your agency offers. A broader range of documented expertise signals greater capability depth and increases your score.
The bottom line
More verifiable data = higher score. Agencies that add their real clients, projects, and confirmed identity rank above those that don't — because there's more to measure, not because they paid. There is no paid placement on Agencies.nz.