SEO vs. Paid Ads: What Works Best for Startups in Ahmedabad?
When you’re launching or scaling a startup in a bustling city like Ahmedabad, one question comes up again and again:
Should we invest in SEO or paid ads?The short answer? It depends. The long answer? That’s what this blog is here to explore.
At Bestow , a trusted SEO agency and AI SEO services company in Ahmedabad, we help startups weigh the pros and cons of both organic and paid strategies. Whether you’re bootstrapping or VC-backed, understanding how SEO and paid ads work together, or separately, can make or break your growth.
Let’s dive into what works best for startups in Ahmedabad, and when to invest in SEO, paid ads, or both.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving your website’s visibility in search results on platforms like Google. The goal? Show up when people search for terms related to your business.
For example:
If you’re a vegan bakery in Navrangpura and someone searches “best vegan cakes
in Ahmedabad,” SEO helps ensure your site is the one the click.
Long-term traffic without ongoing ad spend
Builds brand authority and trust
Targets people with high intent
Supports content, email, and inbound marketing strategies
And thanks to advances in AI-powered SEO , startups can now scale faster with tools that automate keyword research, content optimization, and competitor tracking. That’s where an AI SEO services agency in Ahmedabad, like Bestow, comes in. We offer AI SEO services for service-based and product-based businesses.
Paid advertising is a type of online marketing where businesses pay to display their content or promotions to a targeted audience. Instead of waiting for organic (unpaid) reach, brands use paid ads to boost visibility, traffic, and conversions instantly.
It is especially prevalent on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram, allowing you to put your business in front of your ideal customer, instantly.
You create targeted ads and pay for every click (PPC) or impression (CPM). With the right strategy, you can see traffic, leads, and sales within hours of launching a campaign.
Immediate visibility, great for product launches or sales
Highly targeted reach based on geography, behavior, and interests
Scalable and trackable
Ideal for short-term wins or testing offers
If you're a startup trying to build momentum in a competitive Ahmedabad market, paid ads can provide the initial spark.
Ahmedabad is buzzing with startups—from D2C brands to tech consultancies. But one big marketing dilemma most founders face early on is:
“Should I invest in SEO or run paid ads?”Let’s break it down:
Aspect | SEO | Paid Ads |
---|---|---|
Cost | Higher upfront (strategy, content), but lower ongoing costs | Pay-per-click can be expensive in the long term |
Time to See Results | 3–6 months for meaningful results | Immediate |
Longevity | Long-term traffic, compounding over time | Stops the moment you stop paying |
Trust Factor | Builds organic credibility | Often seen as promotional |
Control | Limited control over Google algorithm updates | Full control over budget and targeting |
Ideal Use Case | Startups looking to build sustainable visibility | Startups needing leads fast |
The Verdict?
Startups in Ahmedabad benefit the most by combining both.
Use paid ads to get early traction, test audiences, and validate offers.
Invest in SEO to build a long-term presence that keeps delivering traffic even
after the ads stop.
Thanks to advances in technology, AI SEO services are making it easier for startups to compete with bigger players.
At Bestow, we are an AI SEO agency in Ahmedabad that uses advanced tools to:
Automate keyword research and SERP tracking
Create SEO-optimized content faster
Predict trends based on user behavior
Improve technical SEO by using machine learning insights
This means startups can now get high-level SEO results without needing massive in-house teams.
If your startup is launching a new product, running a flash sale, or needs immediate leads to keep the business going, paid ads are your best friend.
We, at Bestow, help startups in Ahmedabad run:
Google Ads with high-quality landing pages
Social media ads targeted by location, language, and interests
Retargeting ads to bring back visitors who didn’t convert
YouTube ads for brand storytelling
Want to reach college students in Maninagar? Or business owners on SG Highway? Paid ads let you get hyper-specific.
Here’s how to decide:
Who Should Focus on SEO
SaaS companies- need long-term lead generation via content
Blogging & media platforms- rely on organic traffic
Educational institutes- local SEO for steady inquiries
Healthcare clinics- patients search locally, trust organic
Real estate agencies- high-ticket, researched purchases
E-commerce brands (niche)- benefit from ranking for product keywords
Who Should Focus on Paid Ads
D2C & ecommerce startups- need instant sales
Event companies - short campaign windows
New product launches- need fast visibility
Coaching/consulting services - quick lead generation
Restaurants & cafes- local footfall through geo-targeted ads
Apps & tech tools- drive installs/downloads quickly
When to Choose Both:
You’re serious about growth in Ahmedabad
You want results now and sustainability later
You’re working with a full-service partner
Ahmedabad’s startup scene is booming. But with competition comes pressure. Whether you lean into SEO, paid ads, or both, one thing is certain, strategy matters more than spend.
At Bestow, we don’t just offer SEO or ads. We craft growth strategies. Our team helps startups in Ahmedabad cut through the noise with AI-powered SEO strategies , ROI-driven paid ads, and a clear roadmap to visibility and conversions.
We'd love to hear from you