SEO vs. Google Ads: Which Approach Is Most Effective for Website Optimization?

By Christian | SEO | November 24, 2020

As more and more companies turn to online trading, the use of websites and web searches for gaining traffic and business is getting increasingly more important. SEO has always been a hot topic when it comes to creating a website; however, there have been some talks recently about SEO keywords becoming obsolete. But are the days of SEO over, or is this simply a scare tactic to try to get users to change over to Google Ads?

Let me start by assuring you that SEO is here to stay and is undoubtedly still beneficial for anyone who wants to promote a website or business online. So, this brings up the main question again – SEO or Google Ads? Which is better for website optimization?

The vital thing to note is that there is no hard and fast answer – in fact, if you were to speak to 10 web ‘experts’, you would likely get a different answer from each as to what the best strategy is. It all really comes down to personal preference, budget, and needs. The first step in knowing which strategy is best for you is understanding the key differences between them.

SEO vs. Google Ads

In simple terms, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and uses keywords within a webpage to ensure that you appear at the top of google searches. If you are selling a service, you want your business to be at the top of Google when users are searching. It’s basically a form of free advertising, but you must remember you are competing against other companies offering the same or similar services. Therefore, companies will often hire SEO experts to ensure that their use of keywords makes their company stand out amongst the competition and does not inadvertently start appearing lower and lower in web searches. This can be the difference between a potential client visiting your webpage or taking their business somewhere else.

Google Ads, on the other hand, will cost you money but will guarantee that your website appears at the top of a search when specific keywords are used. You may have noticed when you search for something that the first few at the top will say ‘Ad’, and those using SEO only will appear underneath. You may think that this would automatically be better as the general rule is that the higher up in the search page the better, however some people feel that potential customers or visitors to the websites may avoid the word ‘ad’. In the same way that some people will automatically skip an advert when watching a YouTube video, they might view an ‘ad’ page as being spam.

Business Case Study

247 call Is a company that provides call center services and is a real-world example of a business that has weighed the pros and cons of both using SEO keywords and Google Ads. They know that their amazing service speaks for itself, but the hardest part is attracting their customers in the first place.

Google is by far the largest web search company, and is looking to stay this way for the foreseeable future, and they are using their web knowledge to ensure that they stay at the top of Google searches, so that potential clients know about them and it gets them traffic on their site. Whether they use SEO keywords or opt to pay a premium for Google Ads, they know that they will be able to bring themselves to the attention of web searchers.

What is best for you?

The key is to know your audience. Generally speaking, companies offering professional services and sales will benefit from Google Ads, and websites that are more lifestyle based and casual are best to use SEO. One such business that is seeing a strong return on investment using Google Ads is one that is offering web development in Las Vegas.

There is a lot of competition for web development, and by paying a premium, they are ensuring that when potential clients search for their keywords, they appear at the top. Their clients want to know that they are getting the best development business for them, and the knowledge that it is an ‘ad’ is not a deterrent.

No matter what sort of website you have, whether it is to make a profit, or provide information, you will be able to use either SEO keywords or Google Ads to ensure that you are getting the visitors that you deserve. What you choose to do will depend on your personal needs and preferences, and it is comforting to know that Google in all its glory will be around for a long time, helping individuals and companies alike.