Do Los Angeles Businesses Need Both SEO and Google Ads?

This question usually comes up after something hasn’t worked the way a business owner hoped. Some companies in Los Angeles pour money into Google Ads and feel the spend vanish almost overnight. Others focus only on SEO and get frustrated waiting for traction. Hagee Marketing hears this all the time from owners who aren’t chasing buzzwords—they just want steady leads. So do you actually need both?

Yes; especially in Los Angeles, due to intense competition and short attention spans.

How Are SEO and Google Ads Serve Different Purposes

SEO and Google Ads do not work alike. SEO is slow and steady. It builds visibility over time and keeps working even when budgets pause. Google Ads are immediate. They put you in front of searchers right now, but only while you’re paying for clicks.

In Los Angeles, Ads are expensive because so many industries are bidding at once – legal, home services, medical, tech, entertainment. That makes Ads powerful but stressful if they’re your only channel. On the other hand, SEO alone can feel painfully slow when you need leads sooner. Using both creates balance instead of pressure.

How SEO and Ads Actually Support Each Other

When they’re aligned, these two channels work better together than apart:

Ads generate leads while SEO is still building

SEO reduces long-term dependence on paid clicks

Ad search term reports reveal what converts

Organic pages improve landing page quality

Seeing your brand twice builds trust

One simple move that helps is reviewing Google Ads search term reports and using that data to guide organic content. Hagee Marketing often uses this approach to shape SEO strategies for Los Angeles businesses based on real conversion behavior, not guesses.

Common Mistakes That Slow Growth

One major stop sign is turning Ads off too early. SEO usually needs time in Los Angeles, and pausing Ads before organic traffic produces leads can stall everything. Another issue is running Ads without proper conversion tracking. Without data, it’s impossible to know what’s working—and wasted spend adds up fast.

Some businesses also treat SEO and Ads like separate worlds. When they don’t inform each other, opportunities get missed.

Why This Combo Works Well in Los Angeles

Search behavior in Los Angeles moves fast. People compare, click, leave, and return later. When your business shows up in both Ads and organic results, it feels more established. Even if someone doesn’t convert immediately, your name becomes familiar. Over time, that familiarity leads to stronger conversion rates and more predictable growth.

SEO brings stability. Ads bring speed. Their combination covers both short-term needs and long-term goals.

What SEO + Google Ads in Los Angeles Costs?

Most businesses investing in a combined approach usually land between: $2,000–$7,000 per month

Competition level, ad spend levels, and growth goals impact the actual prices.

Want a Better Balance Between SEO and Ads?

If you’re tired of guessing where your budget should go, Hagee Marketing can help you sort it out. We will look at your current visibility and conversion data. Based on how people actually search in Los Angeles, we will build a plan where SEO and Ads support each other naturally. Call (206) 582-6727 now.