SEO vs Google Ads
When planning your digital marketing strategy, it is crucial to consider both SEO and Google Ads to decide which is best for your business—or whether you should do both.
What is SEO?
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is optimising your website to show prominently in Google’s organic search results. Websites on the first page are the most relevant, so that’s where you want to be – so prospective clients will find your site and buy from you. Starter guide.
What are the benefits?
- One of the most significant advantages of prominently showing in organic search results is that many clients trust organic results over adverts, which often show at the top and bottom of the search results and in the column at the side. Digital audiences are becoming more savvy and far more likely to distinguish organic search results from ads than a decade ago.
- Optimising your site also creates a smoother, faster, and more user-friendly experience. A well-optimised site will encourage users to stay for longer, which reduces your bounce rate—the number of visitors who land on your site and then leave immediately without visiting a second page.
- SEO demands time and patience but will yield invaluable long-term results for your business, reflected in your bottom line.
What is Google Ads?
Google Ads is Google’s pay-per-click (PPC) advertising program, which allows you to advertise on the search engine. You can target your audience based on what they’re searching for, where they’re located to get more visitors to your site. Better still, you’ll only pay for results, which means you only pay when someone clicks your link. You can even place your adverts on other websites, which allows you to reach even more targeted clients. Guide to basics.
What are the benefits of Google Ads?
- You can tweak your ads as regularly as necessary to reach the right audience, including updating your budget and targeting based on what’s delivering results.
- Google Ads is faster than SEO. If done properly, a targeted campaign can increase your web traffic and sales or bookings almost immediately. However, it does require more financial risk.
- Even though Google Ads won’t benefit your organic search ranking, they can help you grab your clients’ attention when they are searching for similar products and services.
In summary
Every business is unique—there is no right or wrong. Your business goals, budget, and time constraints all play a role in the direction you take with your marketing. However, we suggest you start by building an organic foundation with SEO that you can then enhance with Google Ads.
Ready to take your business further with SEO or Google Ads? Get in touch. Or learn what we think about advertising.