Should You Run Ads or Focus on Organic First?

If you are launching or growing your small business online, one of the first questions you will face is whether to spend money on ads or work on organic reach first.

It is a good question. The answer is not as simple as choosing one or the other.

The Organic Side: SEO and the Slow Burn

Organic growth is like planting a tree. You prepare the soil, put the seed in, water it regularly, and over time it grows strong and steady.

Search engine optimisation, or SEO, helps you get found on Google without paying for clicks. It means making sure your website and content show Google what you do, who you serve, and when to display you in search results.

The big advantage is that once you rank well, you get free traffic day after day.

The downside is it takes time. Sometimes months before you see real progress. It is an investment that pays off in the long term but will not flood your inbox instantly.

The Paid Ads Side: Instant but Temporary

Ads are more like a tap you can turn on and off. You set a budget, run your campaign, and suddenly people see your message.

Facebook ads, Google Ads, Instagram promotions, they work by paying to reach the right people quickly.

This works well when you want fast results. Maybe you are launching a product, running a promotion, or trying to boost brand awareness quickly.

The drawback is once you stop paying, the traffic dries up. Ads are not a long-term strategy on their own.

Why Not Both?

The truth is organic and paid work best together. One builds a foundation while the other gives you a boost when you need it.

Think of organic SEO as your base camp, steady, reliable, and growing stronger. Paid ads help you climb faster and reach places you cannot reach on your own.

What We Do at Get You Set

We offer packages that combine both approaches depending on your needs and budget.

If you are just starting out, we focus on getting your website and SEO setup right so you are building for the future.

If you want immediate traction, we add ads targeted to your ideal customers.

As you grow, we adjust the mix so your marketing keeps working hard without burning your budget.

So What Should You Do First?

If you have zero presence online and a tight budget, start with organic. Build your foundation, get your website and socials in order.

If you have some budget and need faster results, ads can give you a jumpstart but only if your website and profiles are ready to convert visitors into customers.

Trying to run ads without a solid setup is like paying for foot traffic to a locked shop.