More reasons to rely on organic SEO…
- When Internet users look for information, services or products to buy, more than 8 out of 10 rely on search engines, not simple surfing.
- 85% of these searchers don’t click on paid links.
- 63% of links that are naturally displayed at the top of search engines get clicks.
- Over the last year, Pay-per-click (PPC) costs have grown 37%, and they go on rising.
Good data – what’s the source?
Multiple sources. Mostly Hitwise. Sorry I didn’t provide documentation. I don’t have the original sources… sorry.
What do you think of the plugin Comment Luv? I’m having good results,,,
I agree with the search possition affecting clicks. For the searches I have a #1 -#3 possition in I get lots more clicks. For the searches where I have a double I get even more.
The best converting traffic comes from on topic organic search results. PPC is best used to get you to the top of the page while you figure out how to do it organically.
What is your favorite tool to stay on top of organic results? Obviously there is no one single answer but I would love to hear what things you have found successful that others could implement.
You said “85% of these searchers don’t click on paid links”. From where do you know this data? My own experience, I do click on pay per click listing. However, i do agree for some keywords, the bid already over.
I personally don’t click on the top three paid positions – I guess I am stubborn and want to look at the links that have gotten there by hard work and due diligence.
It is true that we have to be smart about internet marketing. The average consumer is like a wiley coyote and needs to be caught.
We need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to internet marketing.
Great Data and it backs up my theory that long term money is much better spent on SEO then PPC. I also suggest at 50/50 split in spending first first 6 months then increasing your SEO spending to 75% or more of your total internet marketing budget. The great part about SEO is once you hit the top its fairly cheap to stay there.
Great information for a newbee to internet marketing
I stopped all PPC campaigns approximatley 12 months ago for this very reason. I noticed that dollars spent did not come close to benefit received from traffic received. Also, organic search results seem to bring in a much more specific target audience and higher closing ratios. PPC has become an untrusted source for consumers IMO.
Very well said Justin, most of the people depend upon search engines, even i do the same, and as far as paid links are concerned, everyone wants free content or service.
Yes, I also read this data in Dan Richmond’s SEO in Practice book here:
http://www.seoinpractice.com/introduction.html
Hey Justin!
As a newer online marketer, I am following a mentor who teaches SEO tactics and inbound linking strategy to get Google page #1 top 3 positions in organic listings. I have learned a ton about pay per click marketing but as a newbie with limited resources I have not jumped into PPC marketing.
I am getting results and sales and after reading your stats, I REALLY feel good about my stategy at this point in my online career.
Greg
I’ve used both, now almost exclusively SEO- but still jump into PPC when the price is right, or for keywords I’m not reaching. Lead quality seems similar.
The most important thing that a Realtor can use when starting an online marketing campaign is that 1)then need to make sure that local keywords are being used everywhere. URl, Onpage and offpage seo. 2)By using various sources of traffic like articles, videos, social media, seo and even the dreaded PPC, that agents and brokers can really make a difference in the exposure for their listing. Never put all your eggs in just one basket when it comes to the internet.