Do I need Google Ads if I'm already doing SEO?
Not always. SEO builds free traffic over months, while Google Ads puts you in front of people searching today for as long as you pay. Many businesses use ads to bring enquiries in while their SEO builds, then rebalance once rankings arrive.
SEO and Google Ads both put you in front of people searching for what you sell, but they work on different timescales and cost money in different ways. Whether you need both depends on how quickly you need enquiries and how competitive your searches are.
How they differ
- SEO takes months to build, but the traffic it brings does not stop when you stop paying
- Google Ads can bring enquiries from the day it goes live, but stops when the budget does
- Ads let you test which services and messages bring enquiries before you invest in SEO content for them
- SEO covers the wider range of questions people search, which would be expensive to cover with ads
When running both makes sense
Running both is common when a site is new, when you are launching a service, or when your competitors already dominate the top of Google. Ads bring work in while SEO builds, and the search terms that convert in your ads tell you which pages to prioritise.
When SEO on its own is enough
If you already rank well for the searches that bring you work, and you have the capacity you need, ads may add little. In that case the money is often better spent on content and reviews.
How we approach it
As a Google Partner agency we look at your rankings, your competitors and your budget, then recommend the mix that gets you the most enquiries for the money. Speak to a Google Partner agency about your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Not directly. Google keeps the two separate. Ads can help indirectly by showing which search terms bring enquiries, so you know which pages to improve.
It depends on how competitive your searches are and how much an enquiry is worth to you. We would look at both before recommending a budget.
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