One of the most common questions I get from students in my Facebook group and emails is: When is SEO the right choice compared to other traffic sources? Unfortunately, many digital marketers and agencies aren’t always honest with their clients about this. As someone who specializes in SEO, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not always the best option…it depends on the business stage, type, and overall goals.
In this post, I’ll break down when SEO is the best choice and when it might not be the right fit for your business or your clients.
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When SEO is the Right Choice
If your business already has a traffic source generating leads, sales, or appointments, SEO is a strong investment. When you’re already profitable, SEO can be a powerful way to grow because it offers one of the highest returns on investment among marketing channels – only email marketing consistently outperforms it.
Unlike pay per click (PPC) advertising, where traffic stops the moment you stop paying for ads, SEO builds a long-term asset. The work you do today continues to drive traffic for weeks, months, or even years. The more effort you put into SEO, the greater your long-term traffic potential.
SEO for Startups with Capital
If you’re running a startup with sufficient capital (whether from angel investors, venture capitalists, or personal funds) – SEO should be part of your marketing strategy. However, since SEO takes time to yield results, you should also invest in channels that generate faster traffic, such as PPC or social media ads.
When SEO is Not the Answer
While SEO is incredibly valuable, it’s not ideal for businesses that need immediate revenue. The average timeframe for SEO to show results is between six months and a year. If your business is in a position where you need customers right away, focusing on quicker traffic sources like paid ads is a better strategy.
There are some rare cases where websites rank in weeks or even days, but these are exceptions, not the rule. Generally, brand new websites with no authority or trust with Google will take longer to rank.
SEO for Established Brick-and-Mortar Businesses
If your business has been around for years, has a solid customer base, and generates revenue through in-person networking, SEO can take your growth to the next level. Many businesses that have survived for 5–10 years through traditional marketing methods – especially those with older websites – can benefit greatly from SEO.
Final Thoughts
SEO is an incredible long-term strategy, but it’s not a quick fix. If your business is profitable and looking for sustainable growth, SEO is a smart investment. However, if you need immediate results, prioritize faster channels first.
If you want to master SEO and learn how to rank businesses in competitive markets, check out my SEO Master Bootcamp course. It includes over 16 hours of real-world video training, 200+ videos, lifetime updates, and direct access to me for support. Click below to enroll before enrollment closes!
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