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Home / Digital marketing / PPC management / Guides / Local SEO vs. Google Ads budget calculator
Local SEO vs. Google Ads budget calculator
Enter your own numbers and compare cost per lead over 12 months.
Ads produce leads right away at a steady cost per lead. SEO costs about the same each month and produces more leads over time. This calculator shows where the two lines cross for your business.
Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx). Free with your email.
What's inside
- An inputs sheet for your spend, click cost, and close rate
- A 12-month model for ads and SEO side by side
- Cost per lead, cost per job, and revenue for each channel
- The month where SEO cost per lead drops below ads
Who it's for
Owners deciding how to split a monthly marketing budget.
Common questions
What numbers do I need?
Monthly ad spend, average cost per click, the share of clicks that become leads, your SEO fee, and your average job value.
Are the default numbers typical?
No. They are placeholders. Replace them with your own.
Does it predict SEO results?
No. You enter the lead growth you expect, and the sheet does the arithmetic.
Want it done for you?
This guide supports our PPC management. To see where you stand first, request an audit.
More guides: all tools and resources