When you’re trying to grow a small business, marketing can feel like a giant juggling act.
You hear that you need to be on social media. You also hear that SEO (search engine optimization) is essential.
But if you can’t do everything at once (and most of us can’t), where should you start?
Let’s break it down.
The Case for Social Media
Social media is fast, visual, and gives you a way to connect directly with your audience.
Pros:
- Quick to set up and start posting
- Great for building relationships and brand personality
- Easy to experiment with different content types
- Can drive immediate engagement and visibility
Contras:
- Requires consistent posting to stay relevant
- Algorithms change constantly… what works today may flop tomorrow
- Harder to measure long-term ROI without paid ads
Social media is like renting a booth at the busiest market in town.
Tons of people walk by, but you have to keep showing up to stay visible.
The Case for SEO
SEO is all about optimizing your website so people can find you when they search on Google.
Pros:
- Brings in people who are already searching for your product or service
- Builds authority and trust over time
- Can work for you 24/7 without constant posting
- Often delivers higher-quality leads than social media
Contras:
- Takes time to see results (usually months, not weeks)
- Requires some technical setup and ongoing attention
- Works best with a steady content strategy (like blogs, FAQs, or resources)
SEO is like owning property. You put in work up front, but over time it becomes a valuable asset that keeps paying off.
So… Where Should You Start?
The answer depends on your business and your goals:
- If you need quick visibility or want to build community, start with social media.
- If you want long-term growth and higher-quality leads, invest in SEO.
Ideally, you want a balance: social media for personality and connection, SEO for stability and discoverability.
My Take as a Designer for Small Businesses
If you can only pick one to start, I usually recommend SEO.
Why? Because your website is the one piece of digital real estate you actually own. Social media is powerful, but it’s borrowed space… you’re at the mercy of algorithms.
Once you’ve laid the SEO foundation (clear site structure, keywords, good content), you can layer on social media to amplify your reach.
The best strategy is the one you can actually stick to.
Start where you feel most comfortable, and grow from there.
ES 
EN