Short answer: depends on your timeline and budget. Long answer: read on.
Do Google Ads first if…
- You need leads in the next 30 days
- You can put $500+/month into ad spend
- You want to test a market before committing
- You’re in an emergency category (plumbing, locksmiths, towing)
Do SEO first if…
- You have 90 days runway to wait for results
- Your budget is under $500/month total
- Your industry has high lifetime customer value
- You want compounding returns over years (not months)
The honest reality
Most NZ service businesses should do both, but starting with Ads. Here’s why: Ads gets you leads now, which gives you cash flow. That cash flow funds SEO, which gives you free leads in 90 days. Then you can pull back on Ads spend if you want.
The exception
If you’re a chiropractor or accountant in a competitive Auckland suburb, SEO will outperform Ads by month 6 — but you’ll need 3 months of patience first. Most people can’t afford that wait.
Not sure which is right for your business? Free 18-min strategy call — we’ll tell you straight.