Every business owner asks the same question: should I spend on ads, or invest in SEO? The honest answer is usually “both, in the right order”. Here is how I decide.
Start with ads when…
- You need enquiries this month, not next quarter.
- You have a clear offer and healthy margins per customer.
- Your Google Business Profile and website are already in decent shape.
Start with local SEO when…
- Your profile is incomplete or has few reviews. Ads will convert poorly until this is fixed anyway.
- Customers search for you by category (“physiotherapist near me”) more than by name.
- You want a channel that keeps working when you stop paying.
The usual answer
Fix the foundations first (profile, reviews, a fast mobile page with a WhatsApp button). Then run small, tightly targeted ads to create momentum while local SEO compounds in the background.
A free growth audit will tell you which of these applies to your business.