When it comes to online marketing, there are many strategies and techniques you can deploy for optimum results. Some prefer one method over another, and others mix it up. There are many ways to track the results of the methods you implement, making it easier to decide which one is most effective for your business. Even though everything is online, traffic to your site can mean an increase in business, which in turn means an increase in revenue. And that is always a good thing. Many advertising options are relatively inexpensive, and some are free. But depending on what your goals are, you should weigh as many options as possible. Two popular Methods are SEO and PPC campaigns.
SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization.” It’s a strategy used to make sure a website appears in the search engines based on keywords and phrases related to what the website is about or has to offer. It sounds more complicated than it really is, although it does take a little bit of skill to master. Let’s say you have a website that sells shoes. Then you will want to optimize your site with keywords related to shoes so that it has a better chance of popping up in search engine results. However, that can be tricky. Since the term “shoes” is such a common term, you may have to think outside the box and get more creative or specific. For example, using keywords like “men’s shoes,” “women’s shoes,” “high heels,” “sneakers,” “running shoes,” “loafers,” etc. will give you a better ranking than just “shoes.” There are too many competing websites.
PPC stands for pay-per-click. With this method, advertisers pay a fee every time someone clicks on one of their ads. Basically, you are buying visits to your website instead of acquiring them organically. Take the example above. If you want more visits to your site for “women’s shoes,” you bid on that term. Your ad may show up at the very top of Google, and every time someone clicks on it, you pay a fee.
It is hard to say which method is the “best” method because that depends on numerous factors. For instance, what is your budget for advertising? Some companies may be able to spend more than others on certain practices, but it also depends on what results you are aiming for and how competitive your industry is.
In some cases utilizing SEO may be the better choice financially, especially if your market is more service driven than product driven. On the other hand, PPC may be the way to go for E-commerce, especially if your sales will more than make up for the money spent.
Some companies utilize both techniques with great results. There is no right or wrong method when it comes to advertising. Every business is different, and every business has their own needs. The key is finding out what your needs are devising and advertising plan that works for you.
