Do I Need SEO If I am Running Ads?

If you’re already spending money on Google Ads, it’s fair to ask do you really need SEO too? I get this question a lot. Here's what I usually explain to clients.

First, SEO and Ads are not the same thing

SEO is about improving your website so you show up organically in search results without paying each time someone clicks. Google Ads are pay-per-click (PPC), so you show up fast but only while you’re paying.

One builds long term traffic. The other buys short term visibility.

So, which one’s better?

It depends on your goals and budget.

• Running a time-sensitive campaign? Google Ads might be the better choice. They work fast.
• Looking for steady traffic over time? SEO is your friend. It takes longer but sticks around.
• Want the best of both? Use Ads for quick wins while SEO builds in the background.

Many of my clients start with both, then taper off ads as their organic traffic grows.

Why I recommend doing both (if you can)

SEO and Ads actually help each other:

• High performing ads give us clues about what keywords convert then we can optimise pages for those terms.
• Better optimised landing pages (thanks to SEO) often improve your ad quality scores so you pay less per click.
• Covering both organic and paid spots builds trust you show up more often, and in more places.

If your budget’s tight, we’ll start simple. But if you’re serious about long term growth, SEO is worth investing in even if you’re already running ads.

Final thoughts

Google Ads get you seen fast. SEO gets you seen sustainably. They’re not rivals they’re teammates. I’ll help you figure out what’s right for your budget, your business, and your timeline.

Let’s chat