Are you searching “organic vs paid search” in the hope of choosing the best online marketing strategy? You’ve landed in the right place! The truth is: if you choose only one, you’ll end up working twice as hard trying to make it work for you… and likely fail. Savvy business owners know that being found high up in results is key to clicks in the search engine realm. They also know that a “sponsored” post looks the same as an organic listing when done effectively and its higher place on the page can be bought.
We’ve written this guide to help demystify the differences between the two strategies and show you why you need both to succeed online in business marketing. Read on to find out more, and reach out to us for a free discovery call to learn how we can help you get the balance right.
Understanding the Basics: Organic vs Paid Search
- Organic Search: Imagine earning your place at the top of the search engine results page (SERP) through sheer merit. That’s the magic of organic search. By optimising your website and content for relevant keywords, you can attract visitors naturally, building trust and credibility along the way.
- Paid Search on Google (Pay-Per-Click or PPC): Need a faster route to the top? Paid search, also known as PPC, lets you bid on specific keywords (Search Themes) to display targeted ads directly on SERPs. You only pay when someone clicks your ad, making it a great way to drive immediate traffic.
- More Paid Search Options: while Google Ads is one of the most well-known PPC options, there are a number of other popular platforms for paid search. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Facebook Ads: Target users based on demographics, interests and behaviours. You can set up ads in various formats including image ads, video ads and carousel ads.
- Instagram Ads: Visually focused ads work well on this platform with options for photo, video and story ads.
- LinkedIn Ads: Target professionals based on job title, company size and industry. This platform is ideal for B2B marketing.
- Twitter Ads: Target users based on keywords, interested and demographics
- Microsoft Ads (formerly Bing Ads): Similar to Google Ads, you can bid on keywords to display on Bing, Yahoo and other selected search engines.
- Amazon Ads: Specifically focused on products available on Amazon, target customers through sponsored products, brands and display ads.
SEO vs PPC: A Match Made in Marketing Heaven
While organic and paid search seem like rivals, they actually work beautifully together. Here’s why:
- PPC Boosts Organic Visibility: Paid search campaigns allow you to test different keywords and see which ones resonate with your audience. This valuable intel can then be used to optimise your website content for those keywords, improving your organic ranking in the long run.
- Organic Search Enhances PPC Performance: A strong organic presence establishes your brand as a trusted authority. When users see your paid ads alongside your organic listings, they’re more likely to click, knowing you are a reliable source.
The Campaigns You Love Approach: A Winning Formula
At Campaigns You Love, we don’t believe in “paid SEO” (a non-existent term!). Instead, we focus on finding the right blend of organic and paid search strategies tailored to your unique business goals. Here’s how we do it:
- In-Depth Analysis: We start by thoroughly understanding your target audience, industry and competitor landscape.
- Strategic Keyword Research: We identify high-value keywords with the right hallmarks of a competitive search result to create smart content strategies across organic search and paid ads to get you more clicks.
- Content Creation Powerhouse: Our team creates compelling, SEO-friendly content that engages visitors and positions you as a trusted industry leader ahead of your competitors.
- PPC Expertise: We leverage targeted paid ad campaigns to drive immediate traffic, test keywords and amplify your organic reach.
- Measurable Results: We track and analyse your online performance across both organic and paid channels so we can make data-driven adjustments to maximise your return on investment every step of the way.
The Takeaway: Organic and Paid Search Go Hand in Hand
Don’t fall prey to the myth of organic vs paid search. By harnessing the strengths of both, you can create a powerful digital marketing strategy that delivers:
- Increased Website Traffic: Attract a wider audience through organic discovery and targeted advertising.
- Enhanced Brand Awareness: Build authority and establish yourself as a leader in your industry.
- Measurable Growth: Track your progress and optimise your campaigns for maximum impact with the right digital agency.
Ready to Unleash the Power of Organic and Paid Search?
At Campaigns You Love, we’re your one-stop shop for a winning digital marketing strategy. Contact us today and let’s discuss how we can help your business thrive online!