SEO vs PPC - Driving Traffic To Your Website

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising are the 2 most common forms of online marketing. We'll quickly break down the pros and cons of each in an effort to help you determine which suits you best.

SEO is one of the most effective forms of online marketing. Virtually all internet users seek information online using one of many search engines, such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. Search engine users are typically looking for one thing. They want to either seek your information, buy your product or use your service. To be ranked high in search results is no easy feat. A high ranking requires quality web content with a good mix of targeted keywords, frequent content updates and high link popularity.

The Pros of SEO

• Highly targeted
• Has a high conversion rate

The Cons of SEO

• Takes a minimum of 3 months to see results
• It's a continuous process, not a 'once-off' event
• It's highly complex and competitive

PPC Advertising

In addition to the regular search results (also known as organic search results), all major search engines sell 'sponsored ads/links'. This form of advertising is called 'Pay-Per-Click' and is the quickest way to attract targeted high quality traffic to your website.

Pay-per-click advertising works by allowing you to bid on keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business. For example, if you sell bodybuilding supplements, you might bid 50 cents for the keyword phrase 'protein powder'.

When a user searches for 'protein powder' your ad will appear in the sponsored links area. By clicking on the ad the visitor is taken directly to your website and you're charged 50 cents for the click, hence the term Pay-Per-Click.

Pay-Per-Click advertising is extremely effective because it's targeted. Your ad is only displayed to the people who are searching for your products.

The Pros of PPC

• Fastest way to drive quality traffic to your website
• You choose the keywords that your ad shows up for
• You have total control over your ads
• You determine how much you are willing to spend
• Immediate results

The Cons of PPC

• You pay every time a user clicks on your ad to visit your website
• It's highly competitive
• Competition can drive up PPC amounts to the point where you are paying up to 5 dollars per click

Whilst both methods have their pros and cons, we suggest a good mix of the two. You should research your SEO options prior to the completion of your site, or as soon as possible, and when your site goes live you should begin your PPC campaign and run it for at least 2-3 months.

If you would like any further information regarding this topic please Contact Us.

Nitro IT has a new website!

Once in a while we like to practise what we preach by redesigning our own website.

Whilst the last site may have done the job just fine, the new site now incorporates:

• A more appealing design
• Live chat functionality
• Improved navigation
• Blog entries
• Client Testimonials
• ...and much more!

So we hope you like the new look and functionality of the site. Any comments/feedback is most welcome.