By Craig Wilson — Digital Marketing Consultant at Sticky Digital
Key Takeaways
- Cheap marketing often leads to poor results, rework, or wasted spend
- Great marketing delivers better ROI by aligning strategy, execution, and expertise
- Newcastle businesses should prioritise value, not price alone
- A trusted agency helps you grow, not just spend
If It Looks Too Good to Be True…
$299 SEO packages. Guaranteed page-one rankings. “Unlimited” Google Ads for $10 a day.
If you’ve seen offers like this, you’re not alone — and if you’ve tried them, you might already know:
Cheap marketing often ends up being the most expensive mistake you can make.
At Sticky Digital, we regularly speak to Newcastle business owners frustrated by underwhelming marketing results. More often than not, the common thread is: they chose cheap over effective.
Why Cheap Marketing Rarely Works
Low-cost providers have to cut corners somewhere. That usually means:
- No real strategy
- Generic or AI-spun content
- Set-and-forget ad campaigns
- Poor tracking and reporting
- Zero understanding of your business or goals
You might pay less up front — but the cost comes later in lost leads, wasted time, and damaged reputation.
Great Marketing Isn’t Cheap — But It Pays Off
High-performing marketing is based on:
- Smart strategy
- Personalised messaging
- High-quality creative and copy
- Strategic keyword research
- Ongoing testing, tracking and optimisation
It takes time, thought, and experience. But it delivers real, lasting results that make a measurable impact on your business.
Think ROI, Not Just Cost
The question isn’t: “What’s the cheapest option?”
The better question is: “What will deliver the best return on my investment?”
| Option | Cost | Leads | Cost Per Lead | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap SEO Package | $300/month | 2 | $150 | Low or negative |
| Strategic SEO Campaign | $1,500/month | 30 | $50 | Strong ROI |
The second option may cost more upfront — but generates far better long-term value.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Marketing
Cheap marketing often results in:
- Rebuilding your website sooner than expected
- Running ads with poor return
- Losing trust with potential clients
- Having to “undo” poor SEO work (which can hurt your rankings)
In contrast, great marketing builds momentum and compound returns over time.
The Value of an Experienced Local Agency
A professional agency like Sticky Digital doesn’t just “do stuff” — we think strategically about your growth, your market, and your goals. That includes:
- Planning your funnel from ad to enquiry
- Aligning platforms with your ideal customer
- Testing and refining your messaging
- Reporting clearly on what’s working
We don’t offer the cheapest solution — but we offer one that works.
FAQs
Why is good marketing more expensive?
It involves strategic thinking, expert implementation, custom content, and ongoing optimisation — all of which take time and experience to deliver properly.
Can I start with a small budget?
Yes — we often start small and scale up. What matters most is being strategic from day one, not simply doing things cheaply.
What’s wrong with cheap SEO or Ads packages?
They’re often outsourced, templated, poorly managed, or violate Google’s terms — leading to wasted spend or penalties.
How Sticky Digital Can Help
At Sticky Digital, we help Newcastle businesses get real results — not just clicks. We focus on what works, why it works, and how to get you more of it.
If you’re tired of wasting money on “cheap” marketing that doesn’t move the needle, let’s talk about what great marketing can do for your business.
Invest in growth. Not guesswork.
Contact us today to get started.
