Is it Better to do SEO or Google Ads in Your Marketing Plan?

Is it Better to do SEO or Google Ads in Your Marketing Plan?

Our team at D2 Branding in Tulsa has a long history of working in SEO and Google Adwords services for our Tulsa clients. Our team has found that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best approach for your marketing plan will depend on a variety of factors, including your specific business goals, target audience, and budget.

Organic search engine optimization (SEO) involves optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords and phrases. This approach can be time-consuming and require ongoing effort, but it can also generate long-term traffic and leads without additional costs.

On the other hand, Google AdWords (now known as Google Ads) is a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platform that allows you to bid on keywords and display your ads at the top of SERPs for those keywords. This approach can generate more immediate traffic and leads, but it can also be more expensive and requires ongoing investment.

Ultimately, the best approach for your marketing plan will depend on your specific needs and goals. Some businesses may benefit from a combination of both approaches, while others may find that one approach is more effective than the other. It is important to consider your budget, timeline, and target audience when deciding which approach to prioritize.

SEO (search engine optimization) word cloud business concept

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the process of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords and phrases. This involves a variety of on-page and off-page factors, including keyword research, content optimization, technical optimization, link building, and more.

One of the main advantages of SEO is that it can generate long-term, sustainable traffic and leads without additional costs. Once you have optimized your website and content for search engines, you can continue to rank well for relevant keywords and phrases, even if you do not invest additional resources into SEO.

Another advantage of SEO is that it can generate high-quality, targeted traffic. When people search for specific keywords and phrases related to your business, they are often actively looking for information or solutions related to that topic. By ranking well for those keywords and phrases, you can attract highly qualified traffic to your website.

However, SEO also has some drawbacks. For one, it can be a slow and time-consuming process. It may take several months or even years to see significant results from your SEO efforts. Additionally, SEO requires ongoing effort and maintenance to maintain your rankings and stay up-to-date with changes to search engine algorithms.

A person using a search engine on a computer

Google AdWords (Google Ads)

Google Ads is a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platform that allows you to bid on keywords and display your ads at the top of SERPs for those keywords. With Google Ads, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which means you can control your costs and target specific keywords and audiences.

One of the main advantages of Google Ads is that it can generate more immediate traffic and leads than SEO. With Google Ads, you can start driving traffic to your website within a matter of hours or days, depending on your campaign settings and budget. This can be particularly useful for businesses that need to generate leads or sales quickly, or for new businesses that do not yet have an established online presence.

Google Ads also allows you to target specific keywords and audiences, which can help you attract highly qualified traffic to your website. By selecting the right keywords and targeting options, you can reach people who are actively searching for information or solutions related to your business.

However, Google Ads also has some drawbacks. For one, it can be more expensive than SEO, particularly if you are bidding on highly competitive keywords or targeting a large audience. Additionally, Google Ads requires ongoing investment and optimization to maintain your campaigns and stay competitive.

Comparing SEO and Google Ads

When deciding whether to prioritize SEO or Google Ads in your marketing plan, there are several factors to consider.

Budget: If you have a limited budget, SEO may be a more cost-effective option in the long run, as it can generate sustainable traffic and leads without additional costs. However, if you need to generate leads or sales quickly, or if you have a larger budget to invest in advertising, Google Ads may be a better option.

Timeline: If you need to generate leads or sales quickly, or if you have a specific deadline or event coming up, Google Ads may be a better option, as it can generate more immediate results. However, if you have more time to invest in your marketing efforts and are looking for long-term results, SEO may be a better option.

Target audience: Depending on your target audience and the keywords they are searching for, one approach may be more effective than the other. If your target audience is actively searching for information or solutions related to your business, SEO may be a more effective way to attract them to your website. However, if your target audience is not actively searching for your products or services neither option will work. If you would like an SEO or Ad Words audit on your business, visit www.d2branding.com and click “Get a Quote!”

Deedra Determan, Founder

Deedra Determan started her career working in television for one of the top media companies in the country and later became a marketing consultant in the television industry.

Determan went on to launch a niche website for moms in her local market with over 100,000 moms visiting the website each month using the power of Facebook. After one year from launching, Determan sold the website to Oklahoma Media Company, Griffin Communications. Determan went on to launch a digital marketing agency, D2 Branding – Tulsa SEO, Marketing, and Website Design that was recently recognized as one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur360.

Determan is the host of the Do It My Way Podcast Show, empowering women business owners and CEO’s to do business on their terms with no regrets, hesitation or fear. Determan coaches these women on how to create a personal brand so they can live a life of financial freedom, working when they want to work and making the money they want to make!