Unlike SEO, PPC traffic isn't free. Every click is directed to your website from an ad, and you have to pay for it. And while some industries have relatively low click costs, others can reach $10 per click (check out our CPC Map for more ideas on how to estimate your cost per click). You can also use our Keyword Magic Tool to see an estimate of the CPC for each keyword.
keyword magic tool CPC screenshot
With PPC advertising, you need to spend money to see results. And the more you spend, the better results you'll get in terms of the number of clicks and conversions. Your conversion rate is an important metric because if your traffic isn't converting, you're going to lose clicks and money.
As competitors start advertising, click costs continue to rise. You may end up spending more money over time to get a conversion.
Unlike SEO, where you won't pay to launch a campaign or strategy, you need a larger initial investment to get started, because you'll be paying for clicks.
In addition to click costs, you need to factor in staff costs. You'll need to pay an agency, a freelancer, or employ someone on your team to manage your campaigns.
Once your ads stop, you stop getting traffic. If you've stopped your PPC campaigns, you'll vietnam phone number sample need to think about whether your website can survive without those leads. It can be easy to rely solely on PPC to make your website successful, but a balanced strategy can ensure you don't run into problems in the future.
SEO vs PPC, which is better for your business?
Now that we’ve taken a look at both SEO and PPC and the respective pros and cons of each channel, it’s time to answer the big question: which is best for your business?
The reality is that it depends. But there is a hybrid choice as well; you can choose to integrate them.
To quickly recap, here's a handy side-by-side comparison of each of these channels:
Choose a single channel
If you have decided to invest in just one channel, you will need to think about the specific situation of your business and balance cost and investment against speed to see results.
Here are some common scenarios and unique recommendations for each channel:
If you need to generate results quickly, regardless of cost, choose PPC.
If you're already generating sales from other sources and want to maximize your long-term returns, consider SEO.
If you're thinking of trying out a new product or offer, use PPC. It's easier to generate traffic to your website quickly, you can set a fixed budget, and you'll be able to pause ads if necessary.
If you want to accelerate your business's recognition at the top of the traffic funnel, choose SEO to focus on a solid content