Nowadays, most small businesses rely on search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Ads to generate traffic and lead to their websites.
SEO and Google Ads are the main parts of Search Engine Marketing (SEM). For small businesses, they’re more than just tools; they’re the key to building a solid online presence.
When it comes to marketing campaigns, a lot of small businesses aren't sure which tactics would really work. When you're looking at SEO and Google Ads, you might be asking yourself which one is better for your small business. They both have their own pros and cons, and you can use them separately or together, depending on what you need.
So, what's the answer to the question? What's the difference between SEO and Google Ads? Which one should you pick? No worries! We'll break down what each does and help you decide where to focus your efforts.
What is SEO(Search Engine Optimization)?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps optimize your website to rank higher in the search engine results page(SERP). This improves visibility, increases conversions, and helps you gain more revenue. The main components of SEO involve keyword research, on-page optimization, off-page optimization, technical optimization, and more. Top SEO experts in Kolkata will not only help you rank in organic search results, but also provide you with SEO results that last a lifetime!
Want to know a mind-blowing fact? 54.4 percent of clicks go to the top three search results! Without SEO strategies, you're missing out on 50% of potential customers. This is why investing in SEO is incredibly important for your business!
Advantages of SEO: Why You Should Invest in SEO
Around 40% of revenue comes from organic SEO. If you want results and growth that don't disappear overnight, then investing in SEO campaigns is a smart move for your business! The following are the benefits of SEO:
1. SEO is your Long-Term Friend
SEO isn't just a strategy, it's your long-term friend! One of the major advantages of SEO is that once you start ranking high in Google search results, you can continue to gain more organic traffic and visibility for the following months, which can extend into years. The results compound, and you won't need to invest too much once you're at the top!
However, here's the catch: there are chances that you may fall off the top SEO rankings if you don't keep up with the latest updates and don't keep up with timely optimization. While SEO can help you reach the top, you need to make sure that your SEO efforts are also consistent! That’s why partnering with a trusted digital marketing company in Kolkata can ensure your SEO efforts remain consistent, up-to-date, and results-driven!
2. More Brand Awareness
Greater visibility leads to more brand awareness! Strategies in SEO mean that your brand will be able to create a better impression on potential customers, because 80% of local searches convert! This is because when your target audience searches for your products or services, organic listings will place you at the top. By leveraging local SEO services in Kolkata, your business can ensure it appears in those crucial local search results that drive real conversions.
Moreover, increased visibility can also boost other digital marketing channels, which makes your focus on SEO strategies a vital part of your marketing plan. SEO might take time to bring results, but it's completely worth it!
3. No Cost-For-Clicking
Want to know one of the most amazing facts about SEO? It's free! Since SEO doesn't require you to pay for Cost Per Click (CPC), you can save a lot of money and invest it elsewhere. SEO often brings in quality leads and sales as long as the keywords related to your brand's products or services have enough search volume!
4. Search Volume of Relevant Keywords
To rank at the top of search results, you need to optimize your website for relevant search terms. This helps to boost traffic by attracting customers when they are looking for information related to your business's products or services.
Want to see a real example of how SEO works as a magic tool to success? As the local SEO company in Kolkata, we helped Om Concrete Products rank 100% of their Target Keywords on the First Page of Google. This is the power of great SEO strategies!
5. Build Credibility
Your brand appears more authentic and trustworthy when it ranks higher on search engine result pages(SERPs). This encourages potential customers to choose your brand over your competitors, leading to an increase in quality and sales! Once you're at the top, this will help you gain more loyal customers and long-term success!
What is Google Ads?
Google Ads is Google’s advertising platform and the best Pay-Per-Click ad campaign. Previously known as Google AdWords, Google Ads can help your business immediately drive more leads and sales. The only catch is that you need to pay Google by the click or by the impression through the launched Google Ads campaigns.
Right now, just like other advertising platforms, the chances of a user seeing your business's ad depend on many factors such as ad quality, bidding price, ad timing, and more.
You can think of Google ads as a quick solution to appear at the top of search results. This helps you to reach your target audience fast and gain more profit within a short time.
Advantages of Google Ads: Why You Should Use Google Ads
More than 80% companies use Google Ads in PPC ad campaigns. Google ads can generate a lot of benefits for your small business if you know how to successfully launch your marketing campaign. The advantages of Google ads are:
1. Immediate Results
Unlike SEO strategies, you can get immediate results from Google Ad campaigns. You will be able to show up at the top of the search results or within the top 5 of the page immediately.
2. More Insights on Keywords
With Google paid ads, you can track the performance of keywords, which is useful to optimize your SEO strategies. This helps you to identify which keywords are high-converting and can be used for organic SEO strategies.
3. Remarketing Strategies
Google Ads provides businesses with remarketing strategies in which the campaign targets users who visited your website. If the visit does not lead to any conversions, then Google Ads will give your business a second chance to engage with the potential customers again.
What is the Difference between Google Ads and SEO?
At its core, SEO and PPC or Google Ads differ by the fact that SEO's results are long-term, while Google Ads results are short-term. Moreover, SEO strategies cost you nothing, while you require more financial investment for PPC marketing strategies because Google Ads are paid advertising campaigns.
While knowing what is the difference between SEO and Google Ads is important, we also need to acknowledge the fact that both complement each other and can be used together! Similarly, combining strategies like social media marketing in Kolkata along with SEO and Google Ads can significantly boost your brand’s digital visibility. Let's take a look at the difference more closely using this table:
SEO vs Google Ads: Who should you choose between SEO and Google Ads?
So, what's the answer for Google SEO vs Google Ads? Who should you choose? Who's the real winner?
The answer is that both yield measurable results, and it boils down to what you prefer! Do you want a cost-effective strategy? Then investing in SEO strategies would be ideal for you. If you require immediate results, then Google Ads will do the right work for you.
Using both approaches in your digital marketing plan can optimize your brand's online presence and set you up for success!
You may get the following results by combining SEO and PPC advertising:
- Increase the exposure of your brand: SEO and PPC advertising may increase your search visibility. Your organic result and a PPC ad both enhance the number of times searchers may see your page.
- Boost traffic: PPC allows you to rapidly get traffic and begin generating leads as soon as your ad is published. When you optimize SEO, you'll attract long-term visitors. You may get the most out of both long-term and short-term traffic if you combine the two methods.
- Using Google Ads to bid for the same keywords you target with SEO can give those terms greater visibility. Utilizing PPC advertisements to test keywords may assist you in determining which keywords will be the most successful in your SEO strategy.
Conclusion
Both SEO strategies and Google Ads together can work out for your small business. You should plan your digital marketing strategies to make them align with your needs and goals.
