Adsurf is a partnership run by me, Aidan McCarthy and my other half Angie (many would say my better half). The site is aimed at helping small to medium enterprises looking for a local online marketing resource on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I work with clients elsewhere too but this little site is really aimed at my local area.
I have been in online marketing since dial-up internet was just starting to appear in homes around the world and have worked with all sorts of clients in just about any type of business you can name.
Much of my work is with web designers and marketing agencies who need someone to take care of the online marketing side of things for their clients but I also work directly with business owners and love seeing local small businesses succeed in the online arena.
I also try to contribute in the relevant portions of Whirlpool, a huge Australian discussion forum covering all manner of topics. You’ll often find me trying to dispel some of the myth and mystery around optimisation and ppc and generally trying to help business owners there too.
I have a particular interest in the form of search engine marketing known as pay per click (PPC) where Google’s Ads program is the dominant force in this part of the world this particular form of marketing has been good to my clients and I over the years though it is becoming a more and more complex animal as time marches on, often beyond the abilities of busy small business owners to keep up with. It changes too, a lot actually and I foresee more changes to come.
As I mentioned earlier, I love dealing with and serving the local community, I even volunteer at my local rugby club just to enjoy more of it, you’ll often find me there, assisting with parking or wielding tongs on the bbq or running around doing odd jobs.
I speak plain English to those who don’t speak fluent web gobbledigook so don’t be afraid to get in touch if your business needs help with its online presence. In addition to my SEO and Google Ads services, I work with other agencies, designers, copywriters, social media folk and coders too so can almost always point you in the right direction if you’re not really sure what you need. It costs nothing to chat so please do!
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Strategy
Why do I need a Google Ads manager if Google has automated settings?
While Google’s automated “Smart” settings are designed for ease of use, they are often optimised for Google’s bottom line rather than your specific ROI. Automated bidding leads to budget wasted on broad, irrelevant search terms.
Our professional management provides the human oversight necessary to build custom negative keyword lists, refine your audience targeting, and ensure every dollar of your budget is chasing high-intent leads, not just empty clicks.
Is SEO or Google Ads better for my business?
The answer depends on your timeline. Google Ads is like a tap: you turn it on and get instant traffic and leads. It is perfect for immediate sales and testing new markets.
SEO, on the other hand, is like growing a garden. It takes time to bloom, but once it does, it provides a consistent, high-value source of organic traffic that doesn’t cost you per click. For most businesses on the Northern Beaches, we recommend a hybrid approach: using Ads for immediate results while we build your long-term organic authority.
Does Adsurf outsource digital marketing work overseas?
Absolutely not. We take great pride in being a 100% Australian-owned and operated agency. All our strategy, copywriting, and account management happens right here in Sydney.
By keeping everything in-house, we ensure better communication, higher data security, and a deeper understanding of the local Australian market—nuances that overseas “white-label” factories often miss.
What is Conversion Optimisation (CRO)?
Think of your website as a physical shop. SEO and Ads bring people through the front door, but Conversion Optimisation is what happens once they are inside.
If your website is confusing or your “Call to Action” is hard to find, those visitors will leave without buying. CRO involves data-driven adjustments to your site’s layout, speed, and messaging to ensure that the traffic we generate actually converts into phone calls, emails, and revenue.