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Should You Invest in SEO, Paid Ads, or Both? A Startup Guide
23/06/2025
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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.

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What Is SEO, and Why Startups Should Care

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.

Key Benefits of SEO for Startups:

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.

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What Are Paid Ads?

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.

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Key Benefits of Paid Ads for Startups:

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.

SEO vs. Paid Ads: Which Is Better for Startups in Ahmedabad?

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.

How AI SEO Services Are Changing the Game

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.

Want More Likes, Shares, and Sales? Make a Strategic Social Media Calendar!

Paid Ads in Ahmedabad: When and How to Use Them

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.

The Real Talk: What’s Right for Your Startup?

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

Build Smarter, Not Just Louder

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.

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