SEO vs. Pay Per Click for Small Businesses

When a small business first decides to get into digital marketing, two of the most common strategies they may decide to use are search engine optimization (SEO) and pay per click (paid advertising). Although these are common ways to promote a small business online, many people still mix them up frequently.

So, what’s the difference?

SEO vs. Pay Per Click

The main difference between SEO and pay per click is that with SEO, you are trying to improve your website so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for certain keywords or phrases. With pay per click, on the other hand, you are paying for ad space on websites like Google AdWords or Facebook Ads. When someone clicks on your ad, you then pay the hosting website a fee.

What’s Better for Business?

Which one is better for your small business? That depends on a few factors, such as your budget and how competitive the keyword or phrase is that you’re targeting. Generally speaking, SEO is a longer-term strategy that can take a few months to start seeing results, while pay per click can be more immediate but also more expensive.

If you’re just starting out and are on a tight budget, paid advertising may be the better option for you. However, if you have the time and resources to invest in SEO, that may be a better strategy in the long run. Whichever route you decide to go, make sure you track your results so that you can see how well each tactic is working for you.

Should a Business Only Look at Google?

When it comes to choosing a search engine to focus your SEO efforts on, Google is still the king. However, don’t forget about other search engines like Bing and Yahoo! – they may not have as much market share as Google, but they still account for a good amount of web traffic.

The same is true for pay per click campaigns. You’ll quickly notice that the majority of paid advertising platforms are Google-based, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore other options. Bing Ads and Yahoo! Gemini are two good alternatives to consider.

Social Advertising

In addition to paid search advertising, you may also want to consider social advertising. Platforms like Facebook, Yelp and Twitter offer great opportunities for businesses to target users based on interests, demographics, and even their purchasing behavior.

The bottom line is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to deciding whether SEO or pay per click is better for your small business. It all depends on your specific situation and what you’re trying to achieve. Do your research, experiment a little, and track your results so that you can make the best decision for your business.

SEO vs. Pay Per Click: The Bottom Line

So, is SEO better than pay per click? It really depends on your business and what you’re trying to achieve. Paid advertising can be a great way to get immediate results, while SEO takes more time but can be more cost-effective in the long run. Whichever route you decide to go, make sure you track your results so that you can see which tactic is working best for you.