Key takeaways
- Google Ads bring calls fast but stop when you stop paying.
- SEO takes a few months but keeps bringing calls without paying per click.
- Most local businesses do best starting ads while SEO builds.
- Track calls and jobs from each.
SEO and Google Ads both put your business in front of people searching on Google. The difference is speed, cost and how long the results last.
1. Side by side
| SEO | Google Ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | A few months | Days |
| Cost | Monthly fee | Management fee plus ad spend |
| When you stop | Rankings tend to hold for a while | Calls stop |
| Where you show | Google Maps and organic results | Top of the page, labeled as ads |
2. Choose SEO when
- You want steady calls for years.
- You can wait a few months.
- You want to lower your cost per job over time.
3. Choose Google Ads when
- You need leads now.
- You're launching a new business, location or service.
- Your market is competitive and SEO will take a while.
4. Using both
Run ads for leads now, build SEO for the long run, and shift budget as organic calls grow. Mac's Auto Inspection used Google Ads while building its Google profile and SEO, and moved from 7th to 1st on Google Maps. See the case study.
Pricing: SEO cost and Google Ads management cost.
