For example, maybe you send a certain amount of direct mail, or spend a specific number of hours on SEO, or drive a certain number of neighborhoods.

Do this now and if you apply the right strategies, you will have a #1 ranking website just in time for spring.Get a website, and absolutely go for Carrot.Then focus on SEO and your credibility.Don't just wing this.

SEO generates, free high quality traffic to your website.

To answer your question, I do not have much organic traffic but also have not spent much time on SEO yet with my dedicated site and mostly leveraging paid traffic.  

Individual ones tailored to your target audience (motivated sellers, buyers, wholesalers) with:-1) Testimonials (built over time since I'm a newbie)-2) Blog posts-3) Linked YouTube videos-4) Simple info take-in formB) Free Craigslist adds regularly-updated that direct to that professional website(s) C) Paid-per-click advertising to get people in the door (Google/Facebook ads, etc.)D) Combine w/ OFFLINE marketing strategies (i.e. signs, car magnets, mailers, radio spots) directing folks to your domain name that you made easy-to-remember E) Best website would also have a cross-over to CRM with direct alerts (texts to my phone)For long-term optimization of foot traffic and conversion:A) Manage that SEO (continuously or pay for someone to do it)Am I missing something?

Whomever you choose for your web site needs make sure that they are 'well' versed in SEO and ask for examples.

SEO, PPC.

SEO spammers come in and post repetitive junk from these content farms along with links.

., I've considered that, but just want to make sure it's not a problem for Local SEO and GMB.

If you put all your marketing time, money and effort into a single internet marketing entity (SEO, PPC, etc.) and something horrible happens, you have to start all over again.