Organic Search vs. Paid Search: Which is Right for Your Business?
- Crystal Waddell
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Can't Figure Out How To Choose Between Organic and Paid Search?
If you're a creative entrepreneur trying to grow your online presence, you’ve likely wondered:
Should I invest in SEO (organic search) or paid ads?
Which option will drive better results for my business?
What’s the smartest way to spend my marketing budget?
You’re not alone.
Many business owners face the same dilemma.
In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences between organic search vs. paid search , when to use each, and how to create a winning strategy for your business.
By the end, you'll know whether to focus on SEO, run Google Ads, or use both strategically—so you can attract the right customers without wasting money.
🚀 Need expert help?
Book a private coaching call with me, or apply to join the SEO Squad for weekly support!
Organic Search vs. Paid Search: What’s the Difference?
🟢 What is Organic Search?
Organic search refers to free, unpaid search results that appear in search engines like Google.
These results are determined by Google's search engine algorithm based on SEO best practices, keyword relevance, and website authority.
Benefits of Organic Search:
✅ Sustainable, long-term traffic growth
✅ Higher click-through rate (CTR) than ads
✅ Builds brand authority and credibility
✅ "Free" traffic (after initial time, effort, and or monetary investment)
Challenges:
❌ Takes time to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs)
❌ Requires consistent SEO strategy and content marketing
🔴 What is Paid Search?
Paid search (also known as PPC ads or Google Ads) allows businesses to pay for top placements on search engine results pages.
These results appear above organic listings and are labeled as "Sponsored" or "Ad."
Benefits of Paid Search:
✅ Immediate results, feedback, and traffic
✅ Targeted reach—ads appear for specific keywords
✅ Works well for time-sensitive promotions
✅ Helps businesses test conversion rates quickly
Challenges:
❌ Ad spend adds up—costs can be high
❌ Results stop when you stop paying
❌ Lower trust compared to organic results
🎙️ Podcast Insight: In my conversation with David Green, he highlighted that Google Ads provide valuable data on customer demand, allowing businesses to test what works before committing to SEO.
If you’re unsure about your market, PPC ads can give quick insights!
When to Use Organic Search vs. Paid Search
Which approach works best depends on your business goals and budget.
If You Want… | Best Option |
Long-term traffic growth | Organic Search (SEO) |
Quick visibility & leads | Paid Search (PPC Ads) |
A cost-effective strategy | Organic SEO |
To test a new product or offer | Paid Ads |
A steady, sustainable brand presence | SEO & Content Marketing |
Immediate sales and conversions | Google Ads |
💡 Best strategy? Use both!
SEO builds your long-term authority, while paid ads give you instant visibility and testing opportunities.
Real-World Example: How One Business Made the Right Choice
🎙️ In our podcast discussion, David Green shared a case study of a business selling premium socks. They wanted to run Google Ads but hadn’t built an audience yet.
Instead, they were advised to test their product on Facebook and Instagram first before investing in PPC ads.
Takeaway: If your audience isn’t actively searching for your product, SEO or social media marketing may be better starting points than paid search.
How to Decide: A Simple Framework
🤔 Ask yourself these key questions before deciding:
🔹 Do people actively search for your product or service on Google?→ Yes? SEO or PPC could work.→ No? Try social media ads or email marketing first.
🔹 Do you need results fast?→ Yes? Paid search is better.→ No? Organic search builds sustainable traffic.
🔹 Do you have a limited budget?→ Yes? Start with SEO.→ No? Use a mix of SEO and PPC.
How SEO Coaching Can Help You Succeed
Many entrepreneurs waste time, money, and energy on the wrong strategy.
That’s why I offer:
✨ 1:1 SEO Coaching – Get a customized plan to grow your organic traffic and stop relying on paid ads.
✨ SEO Squad Membership – Join a community for weekly support, training, and insights on SEO and digital marketing.
🔗 Book a Call or Apply To Join The SEO Squad today!
Final Takeaways: SEO vs. Paid Search
✔ Organic Search = Best for long-term growth and brand authority
✔ Paid Search = Best for quick visibility and testing conversions
✔ A hybrid strategy works best for most businesses
✔ SEO Coaching can help you build an organic traffic system without wasting money on ads
Bonus: Free SEO Checklist! 🎁
Want a step-by-step SEO strategy guide? Grab my free SEO checklist to start optimizing your site today!
And watch the full episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast on Youtube all about Google Ads strategy for entrepreneurs!
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