Do I need SEO, Google Ads and social media, or can I start with one?
You can absolutely start with one. We usually recommend this order: fix your website first, then catch people already searching with SEO and Google Ads, then create new demand with Facebook and Instagram ads. We will tell you where your budget works hardest.
What is SEO?
SEO (search engine optimisation) is the work of improving your website and online presence so you rank higher in Google search results. Higher SERP rankings bring more organic traffic, meaning visitors you do not pay for each time they click.
How can SEO help my business in Wollongong?
Most Wollongong customers search Google before they buy. SEO puts your business on the first page when they search for what you sell, in Google Maps and the main results. That means a steady flow of local enquiries without paying for every click.
Can I do SEO myself?
You can handle the basics yourself: complete your Google Business Profile, ask for reviews and write helpful service pages. Technical SEO, keyword strategy and link building take more time and expertise, which is where a local SEO expert helps you get results faster.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO helps your business show up when people nearby search for what you do, especially in the Google Maps "map pack" at the top of results. It covers your Google Business Profile, local keywords, citations (your business listed on trusted directories) and reviews.
Can you help my business rank outside Wollongong?
Yes. We help businesses rank across Shellharbour, Kiama, the Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, the Sutherland Shire, Sydney and Australia-wide, using dedicated location pages and a keyword strategy for each area.
Do I need a new website to do SEO?
Usually not. We start with a free SEO audit of your current website. Most sites just need technical fixes, better page titles and new service and location pages. If your site is holding you back, we'll explain why before recommending a rebuild.
Can I do SEO alongside Google Ads?
Yes, and it often works best. Google Ads brings enquiries straight away while SEO builds free organic traffic over time. Data from your ads also shows which keywords bring the best customers, which makes your SEO smarter.
What if my website is already ranking?
Great, that's a strong starting point. We protect the rankings you have, find the keywords and suburbs you're missing, and turn more of your existing traffic into calls and enquiries.
How much does SEO cost in Australia?
Across Australia, SEO for small and medium businesses usually costs from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month. OCCO SEO plans start from $690 a month (Local), from $1,290 (Growth) and from $2,190 (Competitive), ex GST. You get an exact price after your free SEO audit.
Do you guarantee top rankings on Google?
No honest SEO agency can guarantee top rankings, because Google controls its results. What we do promise is a clear plan, transparent monthly reporting and steady work on the things that move rankings: your Google Business Profile, on-page SEO, content, link building and reviews.
Why choose a local Wollongong SEO agency over a Sydney agency?
We live and work in the Illawarra, so we know the suburbs, the local competition and what Wollongong customers search for. You can meet us face to face, and you work directly with the SEO consultant doing the work rather than an account manager.
Do you offer a free SEO audit?
Yes. Our free SEO audit checks your Google Business Profile, website speed, on-page SEO, keywords and competitors, then shows you the quickest wins. Book one through our Contact page.
How long does SEO take to work for a Wollongong business?
Most local businesses see early movement in Google Maps and local search within six to twelve weeks. Stronger rankings for competitive keywords usually take three to six months. Results build over time, which is why SEO is one of the best long-term investments for a Wollongong business.
Why is local SEO important for Wollongong businesses?
Most people in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama search on their phones and choose from the top three businesses in Google Maps. Local SEO gets you into that map pack and the first results for searches like "builder Wollongong" or "café near me", which is where most local calls and bookings come from.
Can SEO help my Wollongong business compete with companies in Sydney?
Yes. Google shows local businesses first for local searches, so a well-optimised Wollongong business can outrank much bigger Sydney companies in the Illawarra. We focus on your Google Business Profile, suburb pages, local links and reviews, which are the signals bigger out-of-town competitors usually lack.
Which types of businesses benefit most from SEO in Wollongong?
Any business whose customers search on Google: tradies, health and NDIS providers, cafés and hospitality, retailers, law firms, accountants, real estate agents, online stores and B2B companies. If people search for what you do, SEO can bring you steady, free leads.
What does an SEO campaign usually involve?
It starts with an SEO audit, keyword research and competitor analysis. Then we fix technical issues, optimise your pages and Google Business Profile, create helpful content and suburb pages, and build quality backlinks and local citations. Every month you get a clear report and a plan for what comes next.
Is SEO or PPC better for growing my business?
They do different jobs. PPC (Google Ads) brings enquiries within days but stops when you stop paying. SEO takes a few months but keeps bringing free organic traffic. Many Illawarra businesses use Google Ads for fast leads while SEO builds, then rely more on SEO over time.
How does user experience (UX) affect SEO?
Google wants to send people to pages that load fast, work well on mobile and answer their question. A clear, fast, easy-to-use website keeps visitors on the page and turns more of them into enquiries, which supports your rankings and your results.
How much should I spend on Google Ads?
Most local Wollongong businesses start with an ad budget of $1,000 to $3,000 a month, paid directly to Google, plus our management fee (from $490 a month). We look at what your competitors bid and how much a new customer is worth to you, then recommend a budget that makes sense.
How quickly does Google Ads work?
Google Ads can bring calls and enquiries within days of launching. The first 4 to 8 weeks are about learning which keywords, ads and suburbs bring the best leads, then we cut wasted spend and scale what works.
Do I own my Google Ads account?
Yes, always. Your Google Ads account, data and billing stay in your name. If you ever leave, you keep everything.
Can you fix my existing Google Ads account?
Yes. Our free Google Ads audit checks your keywords, search terms, ad copy, bidding, conversion tracking and landing pages, then shows you where money is being wasted and how to get more leads for the same budget.
Is Google Ads worth it for a small business?
Yes, when it is set up well. Google Ads puts you in front of people who are searching for your service right now, so it can bring calls and enquiries within days. The key is tight targeting to your local area, strong ad copy and conversion tracking so every dollar is measured.
How do I get my business recommended by ChatGPT?
AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews recommend businesses they can clearly understand and trust. That means a well-structured website with direct answers, schema markup, consistent business details across the web, and genuine reviews. This is called answer engine optimisation (AEO), and it is part of our SEO & AI Search service.
How can I get more Google reviews?
Ask every happy customer at the right moment, usually straight after the job is done, and make it easy with a short review link sent by SMS or email. We can automate this for you so review requests go out every time without you having to remember.