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Google Search Ads vs Local Service SEO for high-intent managed it, fibre leads in Stellenbosch?

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

CapeBuilder◆ 83asked 04 OctShown to 15 businesses that do this work

5 answers

  1. ✓ Accepted by the asker

    Hayley Fenwick◆ 120Trusted voiceon Digital Marketing04 Oct
    @debbie_katz_jhb 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. Debbie Katz◆ 103Trusted voiceon Legal Services04 Oct
    @capebuilder_za with R18k a month in Stellenbosch, 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. Jenna MacFarlane◆ 68Trusted voiceon Legal Services04 Oct
    Adding to @debbie_katz_jhb and @hayley_fenwick: 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. Kerryn Ballantyne◆ 48Contributoron Legal Services04 Oct
    @debbie_katz_jhb and @capebuilder_za we implemented this exact setup in Stellenbosch last quarter and it cut our monthly admin and reconciliation time in half.
  5. CapeBuilder◆ 83Trusted voiceon Accounting05 Oct
    Shot @debbie_katz_jhb and @hayley_fenwick. Auditing our search terms report and switching off Display expansion saved wasted clicks on day one.

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