What's More Important For Your Business - SEO or Paid Advertising?

What Are the benefits of search engine optimization?

SEO is essential to any small business's success, yet more than half of small businesses haven’t invested in a professional SEO strategy.

Let’s dive right into the main benefits SEO has to offer.

1. A sustainable and cost-effective approach for small businesses

SEO is an organic way to increase your online visibility, meaning your target audience will naturally come across your website when searching for your products or services online.

When you optimize your website for search engines, you're essentially making it more relevant and accessible to users by including the keywords they’re using when they search.

Your website will rank higher on search engine results pages, making it easier for potential customers and clients to discover your business online.

Unlike paid advertising, SEO doesn't cost you every time someone clicks on your website. It's a long-term strategy that provides lasting benefits, especially for small local businesses on a budget.

2. Allows For Tailored, Local Targeting

Local SEO is particularly important for small businesses and offers massive potential benefits by allowing you to target people in your area directly.

Search engine algorithms can be pretty specific, so using focused keywords specific to your area and industry niche can make a big difference.

For example, optimizing your website for local search terms like "digital marketing in Great Falls, MT" can help you zero in on your target audience when they look for your products or services.

Local SEO tactics can improve your chances of appearing in Google's local map pack (the top results that appear on Google Maps), which helps to draw in nearby customers.

3. Increases Customer Trust And Credibility

Think about it – if you have to trawl through search engine results pages to find a specific website, how likely are you to trust it?

Ranking more highly in organic search results legitimizes your business and enhances customer trust.

Users often trust organic results more than paid advertisements, so focusing on SEO is essential to build that trust with your target audience.

The more reliable and relevant you appear to them, the more likely they’ll be to become loyal customers – and hopefully give you word-of-mouth recommendations down the road.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PPC ADS?

Is paid advertising really necessary?

Well, most businesses make $2 for every $1 they spend on Google advertising, meaning they see a 200% return on their investment, which is pretty impressive!

Now, let’s look at some of the other benefits paid ads can bring to your small business.

1. Unlock Instant Visibility For Your Website

PPC advertising – whether through Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or other platforms – makes your website instantly visible to your target audience across different online channels.

When you create a PPC campaign, you can appear in front of potential customers within hours, making it a hugely valuable investment for businesses looking to generate quick leads or sales.

2. Directly Target Your Niche Audience

Paid advertising platforms provide precise targeting options, allowing you to reach a super-specific audience.

This is crucial for small local businesses as you can tailor differentiating factors like location, demographics, interests, and online behavior to ensure the right people see your ads.

Creating a highly specific landing page is a great way to maximize the potential of your PPC ads. By offering valuable content to your audience at the precise moment they need it, you’re more likely to increase conversion rates and drive more sales.

3. Offer Flexibility And Scalability

Paid advertising campaigns are easily scalable, so you can increase or decrease your budget based on the results you're getting or what you can afford at the time.

This flexibility is particularly beneficial for small businesses, allowing you to expand your reach on a budget while adapting to changing market conditions or seasonal fluctuations.

So, Who Wins The Battle Of SEO VS Pay Per Click?

SEO and paid advertising can both be highly advantageous for your small local business, as they can both help you position your business as a real contender against your competitors.

While there are strong arguments for both, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution

Depending on your goals and needs, a balanced approach between the two might be the answer for your small business.

To get started, it’s a good idea to invest in a robust SEO strategy to help you capture your niche with local SEO and climb the ranks on search engines.

Once you’ve established your business on Google, boost your position by incorporating PPC campaigns into your growth strategy.

As with all digital marketing, it’s super important to maintain your efforts with ongoing monitoring and optimization.

A digital marketing specialist can give you valuable insights, analyzing which strategies are proving the most effective for your business, and where you can improve to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investments.

boost your website traffic and generate high quality leads with 406 marketing

Generating search traffic on your own is no easy task, especially when you’re already so busy with the ins and outs of running your business.

At 406 Marketing, we help small business owners attract local customers, create a strong online presence, and build trust and credibility with their audience.

We'll also take care of your website's design, local SEO, website support, Google ads, and much more.

Reach out today so you can improve your online presence and grow your business in no time!