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Google Search Ads vs Local Service SEO for high-intent digital marketing leads in Germiston?

We have a R18,000 monthly marketing budget for a digital marketing business in Germiston. Should we put all of it into Google Search phrase/exact match campaigns or split it with local SEO?

Chloë Lin◆ 53asked 21 Sept

5 answers

  1. ✓ Accepted by the asker

    Jaco Pretorius◆ 83Trusted voiceon Legal Services21 Sept
    @pieter_vdm is spot on about the negative keyword list! Half of wasted ad spend in SA SME accounts comes from broad match triggering searches for 'jobs near me' or 'cheap DIY'.
  2. Pieter van der Merwe◆ 115Trusted voiceon Legal Services21 Sept
    @chloe_lin_sa with R18k a month in Germiston, put 70% into tightly geo-fenced Google Search Ads targeting high-intent buyer keywords with a strong negative keyword list (blocking 'jobs', 'courses', 'DIY', 'free', 'learnership'), and put 30% into building out your Google Business Profile, local citations and service case-study pages so your organic leads compound over 6 months.
  3. Francois Steyn◆ 68Trusted voiceon Legal Services21 Sept
    Adding to @pieter_vdm and @jaco_pretorius: track actual phone calls and WhatsApp clicks as primary conversions using server-side tagging, and turn off Google Display Network expansion on Search campaigns immediately.
  4. Riaan Venter◆ 48Contributoron Legal Services21 Sept
    @pieter_vdm and @chloe_lin_sa we implemented this exact setup in Germiston last quarter and it cut our monthly admin and reconciliation time in half.
  5. Chloë Lin◆ 53Trusted voiceon Bookkeeping Services21 Sept
    Shot @pieter_vdm and @jaco_pretorius. Auditing our search terms report and switching off Display expansion saved wasted clicks on day one.

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