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The Truth About SEO

Why You Should Start with Google Ads and Let SEO Be Your Backup Singer

I’m glad to see you here before you decided to spend $ 1,000 or more per month on SEO. Within just 6 minutes you will learn if SEO is the right approach for you. As one of the most well-known and well-regarded digital marketing strategies, SEO might seem like the perfect place to start. After all, free organic traffic, and top rankings; sound like a dream, right? Let me give you a reality check: it’s a long haul. And long hauls mean time, money, and a lot of patience. If you want results now, there’s a better way to kick things off. Paid Google ads.

Here’s how to think about it:

Paid Ads Get You Traffic Fast. SEO Is the Slow Burner.

SEO is like planting a tree—you water it, give it sunshine, and wait… and wait some more. Sure, one day it’ll grow tall and strong, but that could take months, even years. Google Ads, on the other hand, are like flipping a switch. Turn on the lights, and bam—you’re visible. People see your ad right at the top of search results, and you’re getting traffic today, not someday.

So, why start with paid ads? Because you get instant results, clear targeting, and control over your budget. You start seeing what works for your audience from the get-go and aren’t left waiting around for your website to maybe show up on the first page.

SEO Is Expensive (And Ongoing). Paid Ads Are Clear-Cut.

Let’s talk numbers. SEO isn’t just about sprinkling some keywords and hoping for the best. You’ve got content creation, technical audits, backlink building—and if you’re hiring an agency, that’s $1,500-$2,000+ per month. For what? To hopefully land a spot on page one. And even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll be in the top three results.

Google Ads, on the other hand? You set your budget, you know what you’re paying for, and you can track exactly what you’re getting back. No guessing games—just clicks, conversions, and clear ROI.

SEO Alone Can’t Keep Up—Paid Ads Dominate the Top.

Now, I’m not saying SEO isn’t worth it. It’s great for building authority over time. But when someone searches on Google, what do they see first? Ads. Those prime spots at the top of the page are all paid, and that’s where the action happens. By the time someone scrolls past those ads to find an organic result, up to 80% of the clicks are already gone.

Here’s the thing: searchers don’t want to wait. They’re looking for quick solutions. If you’re running paid ads, you’re front and centre, getting those high-quality leads who are ready to take action. Meanwhile, your SEO is supporting you in the background.

It’s About Who Sees You First, And the Specificity of the Message

Some folks will tell you, “Oh, it’s different on mobile vs. desktop. Organic results get more clicks on desktop, paid ads win on mobile.” But the truth is, it’s not just about the device. It’s about who gets seen first. On mobile, paid ads dominate. On desktop, organic listings have a better chance and many people check the top 3 out, but the paid ads are still the first thing people see. Add to this the ability for advertisers to customise the specificity of the message and the real estate they have on the page, and you’ll understand why many people will click on the ads.

Don’t miss out on those ready-to-buy leads just because you’re waiting for your SEO to “kick in.”

Paid Ads Are Adjustable. SEO Is a Long-Term Investment.

Let’s talk about costs. Most SEO agencies charge anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 and upwards per month to get your business ranking on the first page. That’s a serious chunk of change, especially for small businesses. And depending on how competitive your keywords are, you might be paying all that money and still not seeing real results.

Even if you do get that coveted #1 to #3 spot, here’s the kicker: Google Advertisements by your competitors, sitting right above your organic search results, still get around 80% of the traffic. So after all that investment, you’re often left out in the proverbial rain with no clothes on.

With Google Ads, you have the power to adjust and adapt, right away. Got a new offer? Launch an ad today. Not converting well? Tweak your targeting or copy tomorrow. SEO doesn’t let you pivot as quickly. It’s a long game—you’re investing now, hoping for results months down the road.

Start with paid ads, and you can see what keywords, headlines, and offers are actually driving conversions. Then, you can use this data to enhance your SEO over time, making sure your content ranks for what already works.

The Winning Combo: Paid Ads First, SEO Second.

Let’s not get it twisted—both paid ads and SEO have their place in your strategy. But here’s the play: Start with paid ads. Get those instant leads, start making sales, and bring in revenue now. Use your ads to learn what messaging and keywords your audience loves, and build your SEO around that as a support act.

Then, as you gain more clients, you can ask them for reviews for your Google My Business listing, and start adding those to your website. Add a few business listings here and there, ‘citations’ as they are called in SEO language. Get reviews on your social media pages. Offer your insights and help in online communities. Get the marketing flywheel going by building your audiences, website pages and online reputation.

By doing this, you’re not wasting money on content and SEO that may or may not convert. You’re using what already works from your ads to strengthen your organic presence, without missing out on all those clicks in the meantime.

So, What’s the Bottom Line?

Paid ads are your fast track to traffic, leads, and sales. They get you seen, they’re easy to adjust, and they bring you instant results—all while you let SEO work in the background, growing slowly over time. Start smart. Start with Google Ads. Let SEO be your backup singer.

That way, you’re not waiting around to see if your investment in SEO will pay off someday. You’re already driving conversions, gaining data, and building a sustainable marketing strategy for the future.

Start with paid traffic. Let SEO be your backup singer—not the headliner. Google Ads are like your business’s secret weapon. Done right, they can bring in leads faster than you can say “conversion.” But not all ads are created equal, and if you’re tired of throwing cash at campaigns that don’t deliver, you’ve come to the right place.

Bottom Line: Let’s get those ads up and running!

Arnoud Gernaat

Arnoud Gernaat

Hey there! I’m Arnoud, a proud father of two amazing teenagers and a lucky husband to a wonderful wife. When I’m not playing field hockey or scoring goals in floorball, I immerse myself in the world of digital marketing. I’m passionate about helping business owners navigate the online landscape and making their brands shine. Let’s work together to turn your digital dreams into reality!

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