Do You Really Need SEO, Paid Ads, AND Social Media? Here’s How They Work Together
One of the most common questions I hear from small business owners is:
“Do I really need SEO, paid ads, AND social media?”
The short answer: no, you don’t have to do everything all at once. But when these three work together, they create a marketing system that helps your business grow faster and more sustainably.
Let’s break it down.
What Each Channel Does Best
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is all about helping your business get found on Google. When someone searches for “family photographer in Vancouver WA” or “best local coffee shop near me,” SEO is what helps your business show up. It’s a long-term strategy that builds trust and drives traffic from people who are already looking for what you offer. Think of SEO like planting seeds—you might not see growth overnight, but the payoff lasts for years.
Paid Ads (Google & Social Ads)
Paid ads are the opposite of waiting. They deliver quick, targeted results and are perfect for launches, promotions, or testing new offers. They’re like turning on a faucet: when you spend, the traffic flows. But once you stop spending, the flow stops too.
Organic Social Media
Social media is where you connect with your audience on a personal level. It’s less about selling and more about building relationships. You can showcase your brand personality, share behind-the-scenes moments, and build trust over time. It’s like showing up to the same networking event every week—people start to know, like, and trust you.
Why Focusing on Just One Doesn’t Always Work
SEO only: It can feel slow and frustrating at first while you wait for rankings.
Paid ads only: You’ll get traffic quickly, but the second you stop paying, the visibility ends.
Social only: Great for community, but it’s unpredictable—algorithms change and posts disappear quickly.
How They Work Together
Here’s where the magic happens:
SEO + Paid Ads → SEO builds your foundation, while ads fill the gaps and bring traffic quickly.
SEO + Social → Social media builds awareness and relationships, while SEO captures people ready to buy.
Paid Ads + Social → Retargeting ads let you reach people who already engaged with your posts.
All Three Together → A complete funnel: people discover you on social, find you on Google, and convert through ads.
A Real-Life Example
Let’s say you own a boutique in downtown Vancouver.
Your SEO helps you rank when someone searches “women’s clothing in Vancouver WA.”
You run a paid ad to promote your fall collection launch, reaching both locals and tourists.
On social media, you share styling tips, customer photos, and behind-the-scenes videos.
Individually, each channel helps—but together, they build awareness, trust, and sales.
Where Small Businesses Should Start
You don’t need to do everything at once. Here’s how to think about it:
Tight budget? Start with SEO basics (like optimizing your website) and consistent social posts.
Launching something new? Use paid ads for quick visibility and pair them with an SEO-optimized landing page.
Want sustainable growth? Layer all three over time for a well-rounded strategy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to choose between SEO, paid ads, and social media—they’re not either/or. When they work together, they make each other stronger.
If you’re not sure which piece your business should focus on first, I’d love to help you create a strategy that fits your goals and your budget.
Amy Meeuwsen Creative helps small business owners with website design, SEO, paid ads, and organic social media.