There's been an ongoing discussion on which marketing channel is best for driving traffic and value for your business - PPC or SEO.
The answer greatly varies and depends on the nature of your business. Before whatever else, let's first define Adwords and SEO before therefore you get a much better idea which would work best for your particular marketing.
The Difference Between Adwords and SEO
Adwords makes use of paid advertising wherein website owners will pay a Google to put their website at the highest of the search results. Adwords makes use of a PPC (pay-per-click) form of a system wherein you'll need to pay each time a person clicks on your ad.
SEO makes use of specific techniques that's meant to tweak the Google algorithm so that an individual's website will have a good positioning on the search engine. These strategies include using relevant keywords, linking content to authority websites or different related websites and using meta descriptions.
Comparison By Characteristics
1. Cost
First of all, let's talk about cost. SEO might be initially free (aside from the time spent when you are personally working on it) since you do not have to pay for any program to help you with SEO techniques. You must just basically understand the best SEO strategies for your website and apply them. However, as soon as your business grows, the competition along with numerous difficulties may prove to take more time than it at first needed you. You may need to select professional SEO consulting services to further boost your page, therefore, you can stay relevant. Companies such Axat Technologies, leading SEO service provider company, that specializes in the area and have a knowledge from having been working in the same business for several years will give your business the attention and efforts it actually wants.
As for Google Adwords, it's a pay-per-click form of plan. With this plan, you'll have a particular budget wherein you'll pay each time someone clicks on your ad. With this payment plan, a lot of individuals you'll get, the more you'll need to pay. Although it may seem a bit expensive to some at first, it really isn't if you compare it to print ads and magazine ads.
2. Number of Leads/Viewers
When watching the ROI, you need to look at the possible number of leads or viewers every technique can give. Both will offer you a decent number of leads or viewers. However, if we were to talk about a period of time, Adwords will get more leads or viewers in a short period of time. If we look at the long term, though, you'll notice that individuals will rush more towards organic results since this is what they are looking for anyway. To sum it up, Adwords can give you leads or viewers immediately, however, it's not as sustainable as SEO will get you more viewers over an amassed timeframe.
3. Speed
For speed, definitely, Adwords would be the better selection. Unlike SEO, wherein it might take some time for individuals to see your website through organic search results. For the Adwords however, you can get leads almost right immediately because Adwords can target your chosen demographic. SEO however, doesn't target demographics. What SEO will do is ensure that your website is relevant and your desired target market can find it.
Which One is best for You?
Since you understand the advantages of each, which one is best for you? Well, if you need quick leads, then Adwords is the best for you. However, if you need your business to have steady growth, then you must invest effort in using SEO strategies. Having both marketing efforts might prove to be useful as long as you set your KPIs and keep to measure the success of each marketing efforts.