It depends on so many factors though...
Well, I like to use this analogy to differentiate between those two sources of online traffic:
SEO is like building a store from scratch;
You must work on its foundation (technical), size (scalability), architecture (SILO), local (niche), interior design (UI/UX), etc.
Then, you must keep working on that house until it becomes the neighborhood's sensation and everyone starts talking about it (backlinks). Soon, everyone will begin to beg for a visit and maybe stay for more extended periods of time.
It's hard work and it usually takes months to finally see some payment but its dividends pay handsomely.
For months, for some; for years.
But there's an alternative for those with more pre$$sing urges in mind, PPC.
PPC is like placing your store on the most exclusive (and profitable) avenue and paying rent to stay there, day by day. The good news?
You only pay when a customer walks through the door. (Pay-per-click)
From that point on, it is your job to filter the good ones from the bad ones.
A nice-looking store may attract eyeballs and maybe a few gossip here and there but it can't hope to compete against the one located right at the customer's doorstep, especially when that store is offering exactly what the customers needs.
If it happens to look pretty good as well, it can eat the competition for breakfast.
TL;DR: Both traffic sources play a vital role in your website/business's success, point is: if you have to choose between one or another, go with the option that best suits your long-term goals. If you have no idea what the question is, then go find it. Soon.
I work with local businesses in a niche where localization plays a big role, so targeted PPC campaigns do wonders.
The only time when SEO enters the game is with Google Business Profile management, heard some other folks in the niche had sweet ROIs with Local SEO only.
It comes down to your business's goals.
