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Resources / Decision guide

PPC or SEO for a personal injury practice?

Compare channels against suitable matters, funding economics and the firm’s capacity to handle enquiries.

A burgundy ceramic vessel beside two channels carved into a limestone slab.
RankMyFirm / Resources / Decision guide

Define the matters the firm wants.

List the claim types and circumstances the team accepts, then document how the intake team determines suitability. If the firm rejects many enquiries for reasons the website could have explained, more traffic may amplify the problem.

Keep marketing qualification separate from legal case assessment. A website or agency should not decide the merits of an individual claim.

Compare the same stages.

StagePPC questionSEO question
DiscoveryWhich searches and targeting settings produced the visit?Which query and landing page led to the visit, where available?
EnquiryWas the contact genuine and within the campaign scope?Was the contact linked to the intended service content?
SuitabilityDid intake classify the enquiry against agreed criteria?Use the same criteria.
InstructionWas the matter accepted and recorded?Use the same acceptance measure and reporting period.

Build a realistic cost worksheet.

Include media, management, content, development and relevant tracking costs according to the chosen comparison. Record the time between first enquiry, acceptance and any commercial return.

An illustrative calculation: £3,000 of included channel cost divided by three accepted matters is £1,000 per accepted matter. If the report instead divides by 30 initial contacts, it shows £100 per contact. Both calculations can be arithmetically correct while answering different questions.

Use the firm’s own contribution and collection assumptions. The example is not a typical personal injury acquisition cost, revenue prediction or recommendation to spend a specific amount.

Check claims and acquisition methods.

Funding language and outcome claims need the firm’s approval. A “no win, no fee” headline should not obscure the actual arrangement or relevant qualifications. Client stories require permission and a supported account.

For paid campaigns, assess the specific targeting against platform policy. Professional rules on publicity and unsolicited approaches also need to be considered by the firm. A channel comparison does not replace that review.

Choose a bounded test or improvement.

If the service page and tracking are ready, a defined campaign can be reviewed against agreed enquiry measures. If they are unclear, improve the page and measurement before drawing conclusions from spend.

Explore personal injury SEO planning, Google Ads management and the general Ads versus SEO guide for the connected decisions.

Sources & further reading

Primary references checked on 6 September 2026.

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