SEO vs Social Media: What’s Working for Small Business Marketing in 2025 with Glenneth Reed

If you’ve been feeling like marketing is noisier than ever in 2025, you’re not alone. Between AI tools spitting out content by the second, Instagram and TikTok shifting their algorithms weekly, and everyone fighting for the same attention, it can feel nearly impossible to stand out.

That’s why I wanted to have a real conversation about the role of SEO and Google Ads in small business marketing today. So many of my clients ask me: Is Google still worth the effort? Or should I just focus on referrals and social media?

To answer that, I brought in someone who literally eats, sleeps, and breathes this stuff: Glenneth Reed, an SEO, Google Ads, and online marketing expert who has been helping small businesses show up online for years.

And let me tell you, her insights were both grounding and encouraging.

Why SEO Still Matters in 2025

Here’s the truth: people are still searching. Whether it’s “wedding photographer near me,” “dumpster rental in Knoxville,” or “best med spa in town,” local searches continue to drive leads. In fact, Glenneth shared that many of her clients still get 60% or more of their leads directly from Google—either through organic SEO or paid Google Ads.

Social media may be flashy, but think about it: not everyone is hanging out on Instagram. Not everyone checks Facebook daily. But almost everyone uses Google (or YouTube, which is also a search engine) when they’re ready to solve a problem or make a purchase.

If you’re not showing up there, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.

The Basics Still Work

Another myth Glenneth busted? That SEO is overly complicated. Yes, algorithms change. Yes, AI is shaking things up. But what search engines want has remained surprisingly consistent: relevant, quality content on a site that loads quickly.

That means you don’t need a complicated backlink strategy or a $10k agency retainer to see results. What you do need are the basics:

• A clear homepage that states what you do and where you are located (if you’re a local business).

• Strong title tags and meta descriptions.

• Blog posts, service pages, or even podcast transcripts that answer the real questions your clients are asking.

• Contact information that’s easy to find (your phone number should not be buried in 8-point font at the bottom of your site).

In other words: it’s not about being clever. It’s about being clear.

Local vs. Online Businesses

Now, you might be thinking: “Well, I’m not a brick-and-mortar business, so this doesn’t apply to me.”

Not true. Glenneth explained that SEO and Google Ads benefit both local and online businesses. The difference is in how you frame your content.

If you’re a local business, make sure your city is visible multiple times on your homepage and service pages. If you serve surrounding areas, you can say “Salt Lake City and surrounding counties.” Google will know what that means.

If you’re an online business, clarity is just as critical. Don’t hide behind clever names or made-up frameworks. Use the words your clients would actually type into Google.

That means if you’re an “operations consultant,” don’t brand yourself with something vague like “the harmony method.” Clients aren’t searching for that. They’re searching for “business operations support” or “how to streamline my systems.”

What This Means for Your Marketing Strategy

Here’s the takeaway: SEO is not glamorous. It’s not fast. But it works—and it keeps working, long after that Instagram Reel stops showing up in people’s feeds.

If you’ve been depending solely on social media, now is the time to diversify. Your website and email list are the only marketing channels you truly own. If you can increase visibility on Google, you’ll build a more reliable stream of leads that doesn’t vanish when algorithms shift.

And the good news? You don’t have to do this alone.

Ready to Get Clarity?

If your marketing feels like it’s falling flat—or if you just don’t know where to start—let’s fix that together. I offer free intro strategy calls where we can talk about your business, your goals, and the exact steps to start attracting more of your dream clients.

👉 Schedule your free intro call today.

Because here’s the thing: your clients are searching for you. Let’s make sure they can actually find you.