If you’re new to PPC and paid search marketing, you may have a whole load of questions about how it works, what it does, and what kind of results you can expect for your Chicago business. In this blog, we have put together some frequently asked questions about PPC, along with the answers to each question.
1. What is the difference between PPC and SEO?
The main difference between PPC and SEO is that PPC is a paid search advertising strategy, while SEO is an “organic” or natural search advertising strategy. This means that content created for SEO appears naturally in search results, according to various attributes assigned by search engines. Paid search results appear at the top of search results according to what the advertiser has paid, or ‘bid’ on certain keywords. SEO is a traditional and beneficial form of internet marketing, and it gradually works to establish your website’s search position over time through optimized content, links, and code within landing pages. PPC is a quicker option that is better suited for promotions, new launches, and any time when you want to gain extra exposure or traffic for your site.
2. Do people really click on ads?
Yes, they do! Or at least they do if the ad is relevant, well-written, and gives them the information they are looking for. Almost 98% of Google’s substantial revenues come from paid advertising, which means people certainly are clicking through those PPC ads you see at the top of each web search. In fact, PPC ads can receive twice as many clicks as organic results, especially when a search query has shown intent to buy.
3. What makes a user click on a PPC ad?
There’s no simple answer to this one, but most reasons come down to quality content creation. It may be that the user recognizes the brand name or product mentioned in the ad, and familiarity moves them to click. Or perhaps the ad copy perfectly sums up what they were looking for. Mention of competitive pricing or special offers can sometimes be a reason for click-throughs, as can catchy and engaging text. Some people claim to never click on banners and ads on principle, but others don’t even notice the difference between natural and paid search results, or they’re happy to click through if the ad fits their query.
4. Why should I use PPC for my marketing campaign?
PPC is a great option for both small and large businesses, and it can be used as a temporary or ongoing method of internet marketing based on your budget and your needs. PPC is flexible, easily measurable, effective, and it almost always leads to quicker results than SEO. However, it’s important to note that PPC and SEO work extremely well together, which maximizes your marketing efforts.
5. How much does PPC cost?
PPC can cost as little or as much as your budget allows, and it is adaptable if you want to scale back for any reason. The great thing about PPC is the ability to set your budget by selecting the amount you want to bid on each keyword. Sometimes, of course, you have to spend money to make money, and if you are hiring someone to manage your paid search campaign for you, you’ll need to factor in that fee into your budget as well. Small businesses, medium-size businesses, and large multinational corporations can all benefit from PPC, no matter their budget.
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