PPC vs SEO: What’s the Difference?

Last Updated: May 10, 2022

Looking to bring in more traffic to your site? Then you’ve probably wondered what type of marketing would be best.

PPC and SEO are two popular methods for bringing in a lot of traffic. Each method is different and each is effective.

Which one should you focus on, and how are they different? Keep reading to find out. Here’s everything you need to know about PPC vs. SEO and which option might be right for you.

Pay Per Click (PPC)

Pay per click advertising places ads on various sites to let people know about your site and services. You’ll have to pay for these ads. Costs can be lower than with other methods of marketing, though, because you only pay when people click on your ads.

Because you’ll have to keep paying though, it’s important to assess if you’ll get a good enough return on your investment. Start small, do some analysis, and see if this type of marketing works well for your site.

The most popular PPC platform is Google AdWords. When using Adwords you’ll pay more for better keywords and ad placement.

The cost for each click is minimal. Those costs add up if you get a lot of clicks, though. While your costs may rise, more clicks mean a higher likelihood that visitors will stick around or purchase your goods or services, though.

If you’re looking for a marketing method that seeks to bring in traffic from other sites, PPC is a good option to consider.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization is one of the best ways to bring traffic to your site. Essentially, it uses tactics that specifically help Google and other search engines know what your site is about.

As search engines realize what’s on your site, they’re better able to recommend your site to people who’re searching for content like yours. How does it work? Largely through the use of keywords.

SEO keywords are very specific. Simply choosing your own keywords won’t do the trick. Instead, you’ve got to find out which keywords are trending and which ones are already associated with other brands.

That’s not to say you can’t go after keywords that are already closely linked with a big competitor. But you’ll have a hard time doing it if they’re already the top-ranked site for those keywords.

Keyword research helps you find keywords that will help your site perform well. That includes competing well with your competitors.

SEO keywords are used in many places. These include written content, tags, and headings. Because SEO is used a lot in written content, it’s ideal to have a blog on your site.

While including keywords in published blog content is a huge part of SEO, there’s more to SEO than that. There are a few types of SEO.

SEO can be used in the technical aspects of your site, as well as in your content. It can even be performed off-site. This includes using SEO tactics on social media sites.

SEO Examples

You’ve likely seen SEO at work without realizing it. This is especially true if you’ve ever read a post that was from a company’s blog.

Great SEO doesn’t stick out. If you’re too obvious with your use of keywords Google will notice that you’re trying too hard. Ultimately, your efforts will hurt you more than help you.

For this reason, it’s important to use our SEO keywords as naturally as possible. As long as you choose good keywords and use them right, it’s easy to add them to headings and written content without sounding like you’re trying too hard.

If you’re looking for a very natural and effective way to bring in traffic, SEO is a great way to do it.

Main Differences Between PPC and SEO

In terms of goals, PPC and SEO aren’t all that different. They’re both aimed at bringing new traffic to your site. They are different in how they go about doing that, though.

PPC aims to grab attention through paid ads that show up in various places other than your website.

SEO takes a very different approach. Instead of using paid ads, SEO aims to bring in organic traffic to your site. Specific marketing keywords help bring people to your site through content that’s already on your site.

In order to keep PPC working for you, you’ll have to keep putting money into it. It is a very effective way to bring in traffic.

SEO could be more cost effective since once your content is on your site, it keeps working for you but you don’t have to pay for it again. In order to get great SEO content on your site, you may need to invest some money.

Whichever option you choose, the funds you spend will likely be worth it. Both work well, just in different ways. To maximize your incoming traffic, try one of these methods, or use both together.

PPC vs. SEO: Two Effective Methods of Marketing

There are plenty of marketing methods to choose from. Some are more effective than others though, so it’s important to choose the right methods for your site.

Both PPC and SEO are great options for bringing in traffic. You’ll hear plenty on PPC vs. SEO but in the end, the decision to use one or the other (or both) is up to you. Consider your site and the resources you have available to help you make the right decision.

Interested in trying SEO but don’t know where to begin? Contact us today to see how we can help.

Want the latest marketing news? Sign up for updates!

Related Post

Product page optimization Phoenix

10 Tips for Product Page Optimization

Product page optimization is crucial for businesses in Phoenix, helping them stand out in a competitive online marketplace. Optimizing product pages involves improving their visibility on search engines, enhancing user [...]
Read more
Subscribe to our newsletter
The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.
© 2023 Section 5 Media. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Contact Us Careers