SEO vs Google ads which one is best? it’s a common question that I get from business owners regularly. so I thought I would write a blog about this topic so that they can understand & made a decision which one best for them. let’s start!
What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
SEO (search engine optimization) is like giving your website a makeover so it stands out at the party, ya know? It’s all about making your site look super attractive to search engines like Google. When people search for stuff online, search engines show them a list of websites. SEO helps your site show up at the top of that list.
Here’s how you do it:
- Keywords: These are the search terms people type into search engines. If you use the right keywords on your website, search engines will notice and put your site higher on the list.
- Quality Content: Write cool and helpful stuff. If people like what you write, they’ll stay longer on your site, and search engines will think your site is awesome.
- Links: If other websites link to yours, it’s like getting a thumbs up. Search engines see this and think your site must be pretty cool.
What is Google Ads?
Now, Google Ads is a bit like renting a billboard on the internet highway. You pay Google to show your ad when people search for certain things. It’s a fast way to get noticed without waiting for SEO magic to kick in.
Here’s how it works:
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): You only pay when someone clicks on your ad. It’s like paying a fee each time someone takes a flyer from your booth at the school fair.
- Keywords: Just like with SEO, you pick keywords that match what people are searching for. When they search for those words, your ad pops up.
- Ad Quality: Google wants to show the best ads. If your ad is clear, relevant, and gets lots of clicks, Google will show it more often, sometimes for less money!
Compare SEO vs Google Ads
| Feature | SEO | Google Ads |
| Cost | One-time setup cost | Continuous payment for clicks (PPC) |
| Payment Type | Initial investment | Pay-Per-Click (PPC) |
| Visibility | Organic search results | Paid search results |
| Time to Results | Takes time to see results (months) | Instant results |
| Duration of Effect | Long-lasting with maintenance | Lasts as long as you pay |
| Traffic Quality | High-quality, organic traffic | High-quality, but paid traffic |
| Budget Control | No ongoing cost after the setup | Daily budget control |
| Setup Effort | Requires time and effort | Quick to set up |
Cost for SEO & Google Ads
Nothing is free in this world; according to this line, you have to spend money on SEO & Google Ads.
SEO
When you set up SEO, you can compare it to buying a skateboard. You pay once and then can ride it as much as you want without paying again. There are a few steps to get it rolling, though:
- Initial Setup: This is the main cost. You might pay for a website audit, keyword research, and creating high-quality content. Think of it like buying all the parts for your skateboard.
- One-Time Investments: Sometimes, you might pay for tools or a professional to help. It’s like paying someone to teach you cool tricks on your skateboard. After setting up, SEO doesn’t need much money to keep going.It’s more about time and effort. If you keep your content fresh and get more links from other websites, your SEO will stay strong. No need to keep spending money!
Google Ads
Google Ads is similar to buying candy for a baby every day. You keep paying as long as you want people to see your ads.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC): You pay every time someone clicks on your ad. It’s like paying a few cents for each piece of candy.
- Budget Control: You decide how much to spend each day. If you set a daily budget of $10, Google will show your ads until you reach that limit. It’s like having a daily candy allowance.
- Continuous Payment: As long as you want your ads to show, you keep paying. If you stop paying, your ads disappear. So, with Google Ads, you need to keep money in the pot. The more you spend, the more clicks you get, just like the more money you have, the more candy you can buy!
Long-Term Results
SEO Lasting Benefits Over Time
SEO is like planting a tree. My wife wants to get flowers every day from me, so I have planted flower seedlings at home. I start with a small seed, and over time, it grows into something big and strong. Now I am getting flowers regularly.
Similarly, When you use SEO, you make your website better and better for search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo and get long-term results. How it works:
- Building Over Time: When you first set up SEO, it takes a while to see results. But once your site is optimized, it keeps attracting visitors without needing more money.
- Lasting Impact: Good SEO keeps your website high in search results for a long time. Even if you stop working on it for a bit, your site still benefits from the improvements you made.
- Ongoing Growth: As you keep adding great content and getting more links from other sites, your site gets even better. It’s like watering your tree and watching it grow bigger every year.
Google Ads Stops Working Once You Stop Paying
Google Ads, on the other hand, is like renting a bike. You pay to use it, but once you stop paying, you have to give it back. From Here you need to know:
- Immediate Results: When you pay for Google Ads, your site shows up at the top of search results right away. This is great if you need quick results, like for a sale or a special event.
- Ongoing Cost: You have to keep paying for clicks. If you run out of money or stop your ads, they disappear from the top spots.
- Short-Term Boost: Google Ads gives you a quick boost in traffic. It’s like a burst of energy, but it doesn’t last unless you keep feeding it with money.
Trust and Credibility
SEO Builds Organic Trust with Users
SEO is like making friends naturally. When people find your site through organic search results, they trust it more because it feels like they discovered it on their own. Here’s why SEO builds trust:
- Natural Appearance: Sites that show up in organic search results don’t look like they’re trying too hard. They feel more genuine because they earned their spot through quality content and good practices.
- Authority: Over time, as your site appears more often in search results, users see it as an authority. If your content answers their questions and helps them, they start to trust you more.
- User Experience: Good SEO also means a better experience for visitors. Fast-loading pages, easy navigation, and relevant content make users happy and more likely to come back.
Google Ads: Seen as Paid Advertisements
Google Ads are like those flashy billboards. They catch your eye, but you know they’re paid for. Here’s how Google Ads work in terms of trust:
- Visibility: Ads appear at the top of search results, clearly marked as ads. While they’re effective in getting noticed, users know they’re paid placements.
- Immediate Attention: Ads get quick attention and clicks, especially if they’re well-designed and relevant. But, users might be a bit skeptical because they know the spot was bought.
- Perception: Some users might prefer organic results over ads because they see organic sites as more trustworthy. However, well-crafted ads with good reviews and ratings can still earn user trust.
Click-Through Rates (CTR) on Google Search Results Pages 2024
For SEO:
SEO, or organic search results, generally has higher CTRs compared to paid ads. Here’s the latest scoop:
- Top Position: The first organic search result has an average CTR of 39.8%. This means nearly 4 out of 10 people click on the first organic result they see.
- Second Position: The CTR drops to around 18.7% for the second position.
- Third Position: This position gets about 10.2% CTR.
- Lower Positions: By the time you get to the 10th position, the CTR is around 1.6% (First Page Sage) (Smart Insights).
These numbers show that the higher your site ranks, the more clicks it gets. It’s like being the first in line for the school cafeteria; you get the best pick of snacks!
Google Ads:
Google Ads, or paid search results, have lower CTRs compared to organic results, but they still play a crucial role in getting traffic quickly:
- Top Ad Position: The first ad spot on Google search results has an average CTR of about 2.1%.
- Other Ad Positions: The second ad position sees around 1.4% CTR, the third gets 1.3%, and the fourth ad position drops to about 1.2% (First Page Sage) (WordStream).
While these rates are lower than organic results, Google Ads ensure your site is visible at the top of the page instantly, which can be super useful for quick promotions and targeted campaigns.
Sustainability
SEO Sustainable Growth with Consistent Effort
SEO is like planting a garden. You start by preparing the soil, planting seeds, and then regularly watering and taking care of your plants. Here’s why SEO is sustainable:
- Long-Term Benefits: Once your site is well-optimized, it continues to attract visitors without needing constant money. Your content keeps working for you, bringing in traffic over time.
- Consistent Effort: SEO requires regular updates and maintenance. Adding new content, getting backlinks, and ensuring your site runs smoothly are all part of the process. But these efforts build up over time, leading to sustainable growth.
- Cumulative Effect: The more you invest in SEO, the more you benefit. Every piece of content and every backlink adds to your site’s authority and visibility. It’s like adding more plants to your garden, making it flourish more each season.
Google Ads Needs Constant Investment to Maintain Visibility
Google Ads is like buying veggies from the store. It’s quick and easy, but you need to keep paying to maintain your supply. Here’s the deal with Google Ads:
- Immediate Results: As soon as you pay for ads, your site gets top visibility. This is great for quick campaigns, sales, or events where you need fast results.
- Ongoing Cost: To keep your ads showing, you have to keep paying. If you stop, your visibility drops immediately. It’s like stopping your trips to the store – no more veggies.
- Adjustable Budget: You can control how much you spend on Google Ads, adjusting your budget based on your needs. But remember, the moment you stop investing, the benefits disappear.
User Experience
SEO Focuses on Improving Website Quality and User Experience
SEO is like making your home inviting and comfortable. When you focus on SEO, you’re working to make your website better for visitors. Here’s how SEO improves user experience:
- High-Quality Content: SEO encourages you to create useful, relevant content. This means writing blog posts, articles, and guides that answer users’ questions and provide value. Good content keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more.
- Site Speed and Performance: A fast-loading website is crucial. SEO practices often include optimizing images, using fast hosting, and cleaning up code to make sure your site loads quickly. No one likes waiting for a slow page to open!
- Mobile Friendliness: With so many people using phones to browse, your site needs to look great on all devices. SEO ensures your site is mobile-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate whether they’re on a phone, tablet, or computer.
- Easy Navigation: Good SEO means organizing your site so visitors can find what they need easily. Clear menus, simple design, and internal linking help users move around your site without getting lost.
Google Ads Focuses on Immediate Visibility, Less On-Site Improvement
Google Ads are like those big, eye-catching billboards. They get your attention quickly but don’t necessarily make the site itself better. Here’s how Google Ads work:
- Instant Visibility: Google Ads put your site right at the top of search results instantly. This is perfect for getting noticed fast, especially if you’re running a sale or special promotion.
- Traffic Boost: Ads can drive a lot of traffic to your site quickly. However, this traffic is often temporary, depending on your ad budget and campaign duration.
- Limited Impact on User Experience: While ads bring visitors, they don’t directly improve the quality of your site. If your site is slow, hard to navigate, or not mobile-friendly, users might leave quickly, even if they clicked on your ad.
- Focused on Keywords: Google Ads require you to bid on keywords that people are searching for. This ensures your ad shows up when someone looks for specific terms, but it doesn’t change how your site performs or how users experience it.
So, SEO is like planting a garden; it takes time to see results. Google Ads is like buying flowers from the store; you get instant beauty but you gotta pay for it. Use both, and your website will be the star of the show!
