Google Ads is a tap: turn it on and qualified visitors arrive today. SEO is a well: slow to dig, but once it flows, every visitor is effectively free.
SEO vs Google Ads: Where Should a Small Business Spend First?
If your business is new and cash flow depends on this month's leads, start with a small, tightly-targeted ads budget. Use the search-term data you collect to learn exactly how customers describe your service — that data is gold for SEO later.
If you already have steady work and can invest for six months, SEO usually wins on cost per lead over time, especially for local services. The mature answer for most businesses is a blend: ads for the keywords you must win today, SEO for the ones you want to own forever.
