Already running Google Ads, what SEO is needed?
Today, I heard a familiar question from a business owner: "I'm running Google Ads, the customers are still coming, why should I use SEO to waste money?". This is a very practical question and also a question of many people. My answer is always: you need SEO, but not to replace Google Ads. SEO and Google Ads are like two companions, complementing and nurturing each other to grow. If you only spend money running advertising month after month, your business is forever "hiring customers" without building its own assets.
This article will clearly analyze the role of each channel and show why combining the two is a wise strategy, especially in the context of today's fiercely competitive market.
1. Google Ads: Amazing Speed & Control
Google Ads is one of the most powerful marketing tools available today. It helps you:
Reach customers immediately: Google Ads allows you to get in front of the right people, right when they are looking for the product or service you offer.
Get customers from day one: If you need urgent sales to launch a product, clear out inventory, or meet peak season demand, Google Ads is the perfect choice.
Control and measurement: You have complete control over budgets, runtimes, and clear performance measurements.
Google Ads is a great tool to reach customers immediately, but to get them to stay, return, and convert, you need a solid foundation: compelling content, good user experience, and a trustworthy brand. And this is when you need SEO.
2. SEO: Sustainable Investment Channel & Digital Assets for Businesses
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing websites to dominate natural search results on Google. When you do good SEO, you will:
Not have to pay for each click:Customers will still find you without spending advertising costs.
Build digital assets: Every SEO-optimized article, product page, or introduction page is a digital "real estate". They are stable, reputable and do not fluctuate with bid prices like advertising.
Increase brand value: A website appearing in natural positions, especially in important keywords, will strengthen trust and reputation in the eyes of customers.
However, SEO is not an immediate solution. It requires patience and continuous investment in content and techniques to maintain position. SEO is not suitable if you need customers this week, but is extremely effective if you look at long-term business goals.
3. Why Are SEO & Ads Complementary and Better Together?
Many people think that Google Ads and SEO are "either this or that", but in reality, they serve different goals and combining is a wise strategy.
SEO is a lever for Ads: A website with good SEO will have quality content, fast loading speed, and user experience (UX) smooth. This helps increase the Quality Score of the ad, thereby reducing click costs and increasing conversion rates.
Ads are a lever for SEO: Data from Google Ads (high converting keywords, user behavior) is a "gold mine" for you to optimize content and SEO strategy.
Comprehensive coverage: When customers search search, they see your business appear in both ad placements and organic results. This dual presence strengthens trust and increases the likelihood of customers choosing you.
Simply put, SEO is like embedding your business in the flow of customers' active searches, while Google Ads helps you get up to speed and get instant exposure.
4. Summary: Combine Both for Sustainable Breakthrough
Google Ads: Is a channel that brings customers quickly, proactively and with good measurement. Suitable for you to experiment, speed up and create short-term sales.
SEO: Is a sustainable channel, long-term savings, strengthening reputation and building digital assets for businesses.
If you only run Google Ads and ignore SEO, you will forever hire customers every month, and easily be defeated by your competitors when bids increase. If you only do SEO without using Ads, you will miss many immediate opportunities.
A wise strategy is: run Ads to feed customers today, and do SEO to retain customers tomorrow. Both will support each other so you pay less, but get more. Advertising money is never wasted if you have a solid foundation from SEO, and SEO is not expensive if you look at the long-term benefits.
This is the perspective from my personal experience at Tan Phat Digital, and of course, this strategy is suitable for industries that need to find customers on Google. Wishing you effective business!
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