If you’re looking to increase web traffic for your company’s site, you’ve probably heard the terms SEO and PPC thrown around in conversation. Although the two online strategies are very different, they both have the same goal which is to increase keyword search results for you on Google, Bing and other search engines. If you’re not sure what exactly the difference between SEO and PPC is, you should have a better understanding of what each term means by the end of this post. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us about our SEO and PPC services. We’d be happy to help you!
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) uses keywords or phrases to describe your content and help search engines rank your site when those keywords are searched. Keywords to use include the name of your business, the geographic region of your business and any words related to the services and products your business offers. When consumers search your keywords, your site has a better chance to rank higher on search engines and gain more visibility through organic results. Choosing keywords that have lower competition/higher volume and using those words or phrases as much as possible throughout your site is one type of SEO strategy. Another is to write original content about your business (on the site or a blog) so that you’re naturally using a bunch of related keywords.
What is PPC?
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads are sponsored links and purchased ads that come up on a search engine when a consumer searches for keywords associated with your business. Though paid search results are clicked on less often than organic results through SEO, there are benefits to using PPC. For example, you can be on the first page of Google for all sorts of targeted terms within a day through PPC. Costing anywhere from a couple pennies to several dollars per click based on the keyword, PPC is generally a cheaper service that can get very expensive if it is done correctly. If you’re launching a new company, want to build brand awareness or have a special event/limited time offer running for a specific period of time, PPC is a great way to get exposure for your business.
SEO and PPC both offer online credibility, qualified leads instantly and long term online success. A mix of SEO and PPC is the best online search strategy to implement for your company’s web campaign because it is well-rounded and holistic. Being an SEO Company in Chicago, we understand that budget, preference and other factors may not allow for both search strategies to be used. But if it’s possible, do both because organic and paid strategies will work best for increasing overall web traffic to your site.
