In general, “older laptops” were mostly 32-bit systems, which mathematically max out at 4GB of RAM. If the laptop has less RAM than that, I’d consider starting there, to bring the laptop to its full memory complement. Because it’s an “older system,” you probably can buy RAM for cheap.
If the laptop is already maxed out on RAM, then you might consider upgrading the drive. SSD prices are currently attractively low, but — as always, with any aging physical device — you have to decide how much you want to invest in something that’s already old.
Consider: After you max out the RAM and change the drive, you’ll still have an old laptop with aging electronics, an aging power supply, aging batteries, aging fans, aging LCD panel illuminators, aging keyboards, etc. etc. etc.
It’s expensive to replace a laptop piece by piece! That’s especially true when you’re propping up an old machine that was built to yesterday’s standards; the gear you invest in today may not be able to be transferred and re-used in the new system that’s inevitably in your not-too-distant future.
If your laptop is more than a couple years old and you’ve clearly outgrown the RAM and/or hard drive, I think you can make a pretty good case for upgrading to a whole new system.
But if that’s not possible, start with RAM — as much as the system can use!
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Adding RAM has always been the most cost-effective upgrade, with the caveat about 32-bit systems you mentioned. When anyone asks, it’s what I always recommend. As for SSDs, if it’s really old, it may have an IDE interface; good luck finding an SSD to fit that .
(It can be done in a desktop with an adapter, but you’ll only get IDE speeds. But I don’t see how you’d manage it in a laptop.)