If terms and phrases such as SEO, AdWords (now known as Google Ads), cost per click and pay per click often leave you scratching your head, just know that you are not alone. Newbie marketers normally find it hard grasping the meaning of some of the keywords used in the online marketing space. Thankfully, we are here to help. This article discusses the differences between SEO and Google Ads.
Search Engine Optimization
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization, SEO, is a technique used by web designers, content creators and webmasters to optimize a website to achieve high rankings in search engine results pages. The goal of SEO is to ensure that your website appears on the first page, preferably among the top five listings in organic search results. To achieve this, the SEO expert will use relatable keywords and phrases that a web user is likely to use when doing an online search.
Why Invest in SEO?
The online marketing industry is highly competitive. For this reason, it is very hard for new entrants to claim a stake in the online market without getting the word out there. If you want to expand your online presence, web users have to find you. One way to go about it is to optimize your website to rank as the authority in your field of trade. To meet this objective, you have to invest in SEO.
How Does SEO Work?
SEO works in a very simple way. When a web user enters a search query in Google or any other search engine, the search engine will perform an inventory of all the websites and pages it has on file. It will then look for web pages with the most relevant information before presenting them to the user.
For your page or website to rank for a particular search term, it must have relatable keywords, have valuable and relevant content and have a good reputation. Essentially, it must be easily readable by Google. For your SEO strategies to work, you must optimize your site based on all the aforementioned factors.
Google Ads
What is Google Ads?
Google Ads is an advertising program run by Google that allows marketers or companies to advertise their website in search results pages whenever a web user searches for a specific keyword.
The advertisements appear on top and side of the search results pages, and the advertiser has to pay a set amount whenever the user clicks and views the advert. For this reason, Google Ads is also known as Pay-per-Click advertising.
Why Invest in Google Ads?
Google Ads is a great investment for both large and small businesses. This is because it guarantees that your ad will display depending on your bid and the keywords you choose. This gives you direct control over the amount of traffic that comes to your site.
Moreover, the results are instant, meaning that you can start realizing a return on your investment right away so long as your account is active and your ads approved. You may also use Google Ads in case you want to advertise a new product or service right away.
How Does Ads Work?
Google Ads works using a bidding system. For your ads to appear in the search results pages, you have to place a higher bid against other marketers. The more you pay per click, the higher the chances of your ads appearing in search pages.
The best part is that you can set your own rules and determine how much you want to spend per day on ads. You also pick the keywords you want to use for your advertisements. Considering this, you may utilize out of reach keywords that are not so competitive. This means that you do not have to pay exorbitant amounts.
So Which One Should I Buy?
Both SEO and Google Ads have their pros and cons. For this reason, it can be difficult for you to choose which one to buy.
However, we suggest that SEO should always take precedence, given that optimizing your website is a long-term investment that you need to protect. For SEO, you only have to pay an expert once or twice, and once your site is optimized, it will serve you for long without requiring further interventions.
Google Ads, on the other hand, is a short-term venture that only helps boost traffic, but you have to pay continuously to outbid your competitors.
Does your business need an experienced online marketing agency to increase your online visibility? Contact us today for a consultation!
