SEO Diaries Part 2
Why I Choose Holistic SEO Over Paid Ads
As an SEO specialist, I’m all about experimenting with different ways to grow traffic. So, I decided to dip my toes into the world of paid Instagram ads. Spoiler alert: it was a ride.
I set up the ad—photo slideshow, targeted audience, a budget that wouldn’t make me cry—and let it run for a week. The goal? Get more eyes on my website and land a new client.
What actually happened?
Well, Meta Suite promised me the moon, but I didn’t get much traffic. No new clients either. What I did get was a handful of snarky comments from strangers on Instagram. Some dragged my website (oh, the irony), and others decided to take a dig at my skin tone. Totally uncalled for, but honestly, I had to laugh at the audacity.
At first, I thought, “Wow, maybe my site really is that bad,” and I almost hit the panic button on the campaign. But then it hit me—how else am I going to learn what works if I don’t stick it out?
By the time the ad ended, I had some decent engagement on Instagram, but my Squarespace analytics told a different story. My blog posts had driven more clicks than the ad itself.
What Paid Ads Don’t Tell You
Here’s the thing about paid ads—they’re easy to set up and can bring in some results, but they’re not the quick fix many people expect. And they’re definitely not a sustainable marketing strategy for most small businesses.
That’s why I lean into holistic SEO. It’s slower, sure, but it actually works.
A properly structured website is everything. It helps search engines understand your content and makes it easier for visitors to navigate.
Blogging is a long-term investment. Your posts stay on your site and get picked up in Google searches long after you hit publish. Plus, with Google AI pulling summaries from articles, your blog posts can become even more valuable.
When I’m working on my own site or helping clients, I always start with the basics: Is the content clear?
Is the site easy to navigate?
Is there a solid plan in place?
If you’re not sure where to start, my SEO Checklist can help you figure out what your site might be missing.
Click here to download the SEO Checklist
Why Holistic SEO Works
Holistic SEO takes time, but that’s the beauty of it. Instead of throwing money at ads and hoping for the best, you’re building something that lasts:
Boosts your website traffic.
Creates stronger engagement.
Grows your email list (your most valuable marketing tool).
And honestly?
This is why every business needs a website. Social media is great for building connections, but it’s not really yours. Your followers on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok? They belong to the platform—not you. On social media, you’re the product, not the owner. But your website? That’s where you call the shots. It’s also where your true community lives—whether they’re engaging with your blog posts or joining your email list, they’re connecting directly with you, not through an algorithm.
Ready to Make Your Website Work for You?
If you want to go deeper into your website strategy or need help optimizing your site for SEO, that’s where I come in. With my SEO services, I can help you build a website that works just as hard as you do. Click here to check out Our SEO Services.
Take care of your website and it’ll take care of you.
Good luck, and I’ll see you in the next article!
