By Craig Wilson — Digital Marketing Consultant at Sticky Digital
Key Takeaways
- SEO delivers long-term, sustainable traffic; Google Ads offers instant visibility
- Newcastle SMEs should align their choice with business goals, budget, and timing
- A combined strategy often delivers the best results — but one channel may suit you better right now
- Understanding your market, offer, and timeline is key to making the right choice
The Common Dilemma: SEO or Google Ads?
If you’re a small or medium business in Newcastle trying to grow online, chances are you’ve asked this question:
Should I invest in SEO or Google Ads first?
It’s a valid question — and the answer isn’t always simple. Both strategies work, and both are offered by Sticky Digital — but the right one to start with depends on your goals, budget, and how quickly you need results.
Here’s how to compare them side-by-side to make the best decision for your business in 2025.
What SEO Offers: Sustainable, Organic Growth
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is about improving your website to rank higher in Google’s organic (unpaid) results.
Pros:
- Long-term visibility and traffic
- Builds trust and credibility
- Works well for local search (e.g. “electrician Newcastle”)
- Higher click-through rates in many cases
- Content created for SEO can be repurposed for social and email
Cons:
- Takes time (usually 3–6+ months) to see major results
- Requires ongoing content, link building, and technical updates
- Algorithm updates can impact performance
SEO is a long-term investment. It compounds over time and often delivers the lowest cost per lead over the long run.
What Google Ads Offers: Instant Visibility and Leads
Google Ads (formerly AdWords) lets you pay to appear at the top of search results — immediately.
Pros:
- Results are fast — often within days
- Great for testing new offers or markets
- Easy to target specific keywords, locations, and demographics
- Works well with landing pages and lead magnets
- You only pay when someone clicks (PPC)
Cons:
- Costs can add up quickly without good optimisation
- Once you stop paying, your traffic stops
- Clicks don’t guarantee conversions
For new businesses or time-sensitive offers, Google Ads can bring leads right now.
Newcastle Example: When SEO Wins
A Newcastle physiotherapy clinic wants to rank organically for searches like “sports physio in Kotara” or “back pain clinic Newcastle.” These are consistent, recurring searches with high local intent.
SEO is ideal here because:
- The service is ongoing and in demand year-round
- There’s value in showing up for multiple suburb-based keywords
- Reviews, blog content and local pages can build trust over time
In this case, investing in local SEO will deliver lasting visibility and reduce dependency on ads.
Newcastle Example: When Google Ads Wins
A new home builder in Lake Macquarie launches a promotion on fixed-price house-and-land packages.
They need leads fast and only for the next 3 months.
Google Ads is ideal here because:
- You can target “home builders near Belmont” instantly
- Campaigns can be paused once the promo ends
- Budget can be controlled tightly
With the right landing page and ad copy, Google Ads delivers fast ROI when time is critical.
FAQs
Is SEO or Google Ads cheaper for Newcastle businesses?
SEO is usually more cost-effective long-term. Google Ads offers faster results but can be more expensive over time if not managed well.
Can I run both SEO and Google Ads together?
Absolutely. Many of our clients do — and they support each other. Ads bring traffic quickly, while SEO builds sustainable growth.
What’s better for a brand-new business in Newcastle?
Start with Google Ads if you need leads fast. Begin SEO early too, so you can reduce ad spend as organic traffic grows.
How Sticky Digital Can Help
At Sticky Digital, we help Newcastle SMEs build smart, tailored strategies using SEO, Google Ads — or both. Our team can assess your market, analyse your website, and recommend the right path forward based on real data, not guesswork.
Want clarity on where to invest first?
Contact us today for a free strategy chat and campaign review.
