Why we started Ghost Shark Digital
We kept seeing the same pattern: small businesses sold vague marketing packages with no real explanation of what they were paying for, or what the results actually meant. So the three of us — Joey Lay, Alysha Lay, and DJ Cahiles — built this agency around the opposite idea: clear strategy, honest reporting, and work you can actually see the impact of. No 12-month lock-ins, no recycled templates, no jargon dressed up as expertise. We're just getting started, which means your project gets our full, direct attention — not a rotating cast of juniors on an account we've stopped paying attention to.
Our Team
A small, hands-on team that works directly with every client, with no account handoffs and no black box.
How we'll report to you
We won't have years of case studies to point to yet — what we can promise is a reporting standard we hold ourselves to on every account, starting with yours.
What we believe in
The principles that shape how we work with every client, on every account.
Radical Transparency
You get full visibility into strategy, spend, and results — never a black box you're asked to just trust.
Data Over Opinions
Decisions are backed by real performance data, not what worked for a different client in a different industry.
No Long-Term Lock-In
We work month-to-month because we believe clients should stay for results, not contract terms.
Results That Matter
Rankings and impressions are nice — we optimize for calls, bookings, and revenue, because that's what actually matters.
How we work with new clients
A clear, four-stage process from first conversation to ongoing reporting.
Discovery Call
We learn your business, goals, and current marketing — no pressure, no obligation.
Free Audit
We audit your site, ads, or profiles and show you exactly what's working and what isn't.
Custom Plan
We build a plan around your goals and budget — not a one-size-fits-all package.
Ongoing Partnership
Monthly reporting, regular check-ins, and continuous optimization as your business grows.
Common questions
A few things people usually ask before working with us.
What industries do you work with?
We're built to serve local service businesses, professional services, and retail brands, though our approach adapts to any industry with a website and customers to reach.
Do you require long-term contracts?
No. We work month-to-month on most services, aside from an initial 90-day minimum on paid ads and SEO, since that's roughly how long it takes to see stable results.
Since you're new, why should I work with you?
Because you get direct access to the person actually doing the work, full transparency into strategy and spend, and no legacy of bad habits from years of cutting corners — just focused attention on getting your account right from day one.
How do you report on results?
You get a monthly report in plain language, plus ongoing access to live dashboards — no waiting until the end of a quarter to find out how things are going.
Ready to see what we'd do for your business?
Tell us a bit about your business and we'll send back a plain-English breakdown of where you stand and where we could help. No obligation.