As you may know, 3001Web does not offer website promotion as a service. It is a specialist area in its own right and, when done properly, it really is a full-time job. That said, we do know and work alongside people we are happy to recommend if you need help with either SEO or social media marketing.
Before you commit to either route, we would strongly suggest speaking to a professional first. Paid promotion in particular can become very expensive very quickly if it is not handled properly. Every business is different, and whichever approach you take, the best results usually come from having a proper long-term strategy in place from the outset. It can be tempting to try and save money by doing it yourself, but in our experience that often leads to more spend and poorer results in the long run. There is a reason good marketers specialise in what they do.
So, to the question itself: should you choose SEO or social media marketing?
In truth, the answer is usually both. However, if we were asked where to place the main emphasis, our general view would be to focus more heavily on social media marketing, with SEO as an important secondary priority.
We say that because we are in a fairly unusual position. Through our hosting and web work, we speak to a wide range of businesses, and over the years many of them have leaned more towards social media marketing than SEO when deciding where to invest their budget.
A Bit of Personal Experience
Years ago, when I first got into websites, I ran an online dating site. I spent the best part of a year putting time, money and a huge amount of effort into SEO, and eventually managed to get the site to position three on Google for the term “free dating”. At the time, I was absolutely delighted.
Then two things happened.
First, the increase in traffic was nowhere near as strong as I had hoped. Second, shortly afterwards, Google rolled out what became known as the Florida Update, and the site dropped back significantly. After all that work, it was a hard lesson in how quickly search rankings can change and how little control you really have over them. Search Engine Land
That experience shaped my thinking quite a lot. SEO certainly has value, and we would never say otherwise, but relying on it too heavily can be risky. Rankings change, competition changes, and Google’s systems evolve constantly. For that reason alone, it rarely makes sense to put all your eggs in one basket.
Search Is Changing
It is also worth saying that search itself is changing. People are still using Google in the traditional sense, of course, but more and more online discovery is now happening through AI-powered search features and AI assistants as well. Google’s own documentation now covers how websites can appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode, and OpenAI has published guidance for publishers who want their content to appear in ChatGPT search. In other words, AI search is no longer something separate from SEO discussions; it is increasingly part of the same conversation. Google Search Central OpenAI Help
That matters because more people are now using AI tools to research products, compare services and make decisions. McKinsey reports that half of consumers in its survey intentionally use AI-powered search, and that many users now treat it as a primary source of information when deciding what to buy or who to use. Whether that trend continues at the same pace remains to be seen, but it is clearly significant enough that businesses should be paying attention to it now. McKinsey
What This Means for SEO
From our point of view, this does not mean abandoning SEO. It means broadening it. A sensible SEO plan now ought to consider not just where a site appears in traditional search results, but also how well its content is positioned to be surfaced in AI-assisted search experiences. The good news is that Google says the same core SEO foundations still apply: helpful and reliable content, clear page structure, good crawlability, useful text on the page, and sound technical setup. Google Search Central Google Search Essentials
So in practical terms, modern SEO is no longer just about trying to rank for a few keywords. It is also about making sure your site is understandable, trustworthy and useful enough to be referenced in newer AI-driven experiences as well.
What This Means for Social Media
We do not see this as making social media marketing less important. If anything, it strengthens the case for it. As people discover businesses in more ways across search, AI and social platforms, brand visibility and credibility matter more, not less. A person may first come across your business through an AI-generated answer, but still go on to check your website, your reviews and your social media presence before deciding whether to contact you.
So we would not treat AI as a replacement for social media marketing. Rather, we would treat it as another reason to make sure your business has a strong and consistent presence online. Social media still plays a major part in building familiarity, trust and engagement, and that remains extremely valuable.
Why We Often Recommend Putting More Into Social Media
From our point of view, social media marketing often makes more sense as the primary focus for a few reasons.
To begin with, it allows you to put your business directly in front of people, rather than waiting for them to come across you in search results. People buy from businesses, not algorithms, and most people spend far more of their time on social platforms than they do on search engines.
It also tends to offer far more precise targeting. With the right person managing your campaigns, you can focus your budget on very specific audiences, which can often make your spend go much further.
There is also the longer-term brand value to consider. Done consistently, social media helps you build awareness, trust and a following. That gives you a more direct relationship with potential customers, and that is something SEO on its own does not achieve in quite the same way.
On top of that, strong social activity can support your wider online presence. If more people are seeing your brand, visiting your site and engaging with your content, that can only help strengthen your overall digital footprint.
Our Honest View
Ultimately, the decision is yours and will depend on your business, your market and your budget. All we can offer is our honest opinion based on years of working with websites and listening to what clients tell us.
In most cases, we would suggest the following:
Use social media marketing as your main growth channel, particularly if you want visibility, targeting and faster momentum.
Use SEO alongside it as a longer-term investment in your website, your search presence, and increasingly your visibility in AI-driven discovery as well.
That, to us, tends to be the most sensible balance.
Our Recommendations
If you would like help from people we trust, these are the two firms we would suggest speaking to.
For social media marketing, we would recommend Simon Clark at SDC Digital. He knows his field inside out, he is straightforward to deal with, and he is one of the few people we would be very comfortable recommending without hesitation. If you are considering promoting your site through social media, he would be well worth speaking to.
For SEO, we would recommend Profit Parrot in Canada. They are a reputable firm run by good people, and Jean-Marc Begin would be an excellent person to approach for an initial conversation.
If you do get in touch with either of them, feel free to mention that 3001Web recommended you.