SEO v. PPCWhich one is Better

Well, they both have their own strengths and weaknesses; however there are actual advantages to each in certain circumstances. Lets examine Pay-Per-Click for now: PPC Advantages PPC is somewhat unique in its ability to drive targeted traffic directly to a website (or a specific web page) that ranks low for targeted keyword phrases (KWP). All you need is a landing page, a budget, and at least some marketing sense. The three biggest advantages: 1. Immediate Results 2. Control over what keywords you rank for 3. Geotargeting the ability to control with reasonable precision where your search results are seen. Companies are able to see immediate results from money that is put towards their marketing efforts. Specific PPC campaign scenarios that can substantially benefit include: * A website with a new domain name is launched (no history with the search engines). * The lack of appropriate content on a contact and/or conversion page to rank suitable organically (perhaps a disproportionate amount of images, of just not much content for the search engines to index). * Seasonal, event related, or time sensitive marketing campaigns that cant wait for the search engines to index. * Website architecture that prevents search engines from indexing a site. When NOT to use PPC In a nutshell low margin items. Lets assume that you sell printer ink cartridges and you make $14 profit on each. You typically sell them 1 or 2 at a time. Now lets assume the average cost per click (CPC) is $2.00. Lets further assume that you convert 10% of your traffic into a sale. Under that scenario you will spend $20 to make $14. Probably not the best use of your marketing dollars. In that scenario you might be better off investing in SEO. In any event, I caution you about running PPC campaigns yourself. It is not just about getting "clicks". Its about getting phone calls and emails and submitted forms and transactions and walk-in traffic. There are a lot of variables to consider. You might want to talk with a professional first. Chuck Bankoff is a Digital Marketing specialist and has trained other Internet Consultants around the world in Search Engine Marketing, Landing Page Design and Conversion Architecture. Chuck is on the Internet Consultants Advisory Council for WSI, and is a Certified Research Analyst.