Which is better for e-commerce – seo or pay per click advertising

by Steve Taylor
•
07 Oct, 2017
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Which is better for e-commerce – seo or pay per click advertising

When it comes to generating traffic for your e-commerce website, you essentially have two options – search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay per click advertising (PPC).

The key difference between the two is cost.

PPC advertising programs, such as Google AdWords, allow you to display ads in the sponsored section of their results page, typically at the top or side of the page. You pay a fee based on how competitive a chosen search keyword is, and are charged every time a visitor clicks through to your website from the ad.

PPC advertising can get expensive very quickly when you have a large number of advertisers competing for the same keywords.

The ‘free’ alternative (you can invest as much or as little as you want into this) is SEO. Rather than paying to be in those search results, you’re using content marketing efforts such as blogging and social media, linking strategies and effective keyword use on your own website to appear in those results.

You’re then reliant on search engines comparing your website more favourably than your competition to appear at the top of organic search results.

The problem with SEO is that it’s very much a slow burn process, and can take some time to reach the top of those search results. Though, as some consumers prefer not to click on paid ads, the time it takes can be well worth it.

Whilst SEO can take some time to reach its full impact – 71% of search users will click on those front page organic results rather than paid ads.

So which approach is better for an e-commerce business?

PPC advertising can get very expensive. When an average 20% of your website visitors will go on to buy your goods - can you afford to pay for costly keywords on the other 80%?

PPC affiliate marketing can lessen the risk by having affiliates take care of the pay per click side of things whilst you pay a commission on the revenue they bring to your business.

Ultimately, it depends on your needs and your budget.

Search engine optimisation can take a long time – and the ranking factors are constantly changing. It means that your position on the front page of search results isn’t guaranteed, and can even fluctuate on a frequent basis.

But when SEO is done properly by addressing website navigation, visitor experience and unique high-quality content – it will naturally lead to higher sales conversions.

In an ideal world, you’d be wanting to implement both PPC marketing and SEO to drive maximum traffic to your webstore.

If you want traffic in a hurry then PPC might be a good if costly way of achieving that. But if you’re starting a new business on a shoestring budget – SEO costs more in terms of time than cash and can yield better results in the long term.

To discover more about the affiliate PPC marketing we can offer your business, get in touch with us today.

Pay Per Click Specialists

Is Amazon PPC marketing really worth it for your e-commerce business?

by Steve Taylor • 21 December 2018

Amazon has taken the world by storm with its range of products, drone deliveries and streaming services, but one aspect you might not have considered before is its pay per click marketing, otherwise known as “sponsored products”.

If you sell products, then advertising through Amazon is an effective way of reaching a bigger audience and increasing your revenue. But how do you get started with one of the world’s largest retailers?

Sponsored product ads appear in both Amazon’s search results and product listing pages

Although you will find that the PPC ads on Amazon are discreetly marked as ‘sponsored’, they do fit in seamlessly within the rest of the search results, dare I say it far better than on Google where it’s obvious to many that the advertisement has been paid for.

It’s also easy to get started with Amazon’s PPC system.

Any seller with a professional selling plan can place ads, although not all of Amazon’s categories are currently available to advertise under. You can quickly get started and find the answers to your questions under Amazon’s helpful service pages , and as always, their customer service is easily accessible for support.

Just like Google Ads, Amazon’s PPC works as an auction style system where you place bids for where you want your advert to appear, and the highest bidder wins the first position.

There are several key reasons why you should be considering Amazon for your PPC advertising

Amazon is fantastic at running seasonal promotions. Like many people, around those all important dates of the year – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Mother’s and Father’s Day and Valentines, you probably head straight to Amazon to either buy gifts or garner some inspiration.

Amazon advertising can be found everywhere, from billboards to television ads, so you know that your PPC campaign can tap into some of that marketing magic too, something that Google still struggles somewhat to achieve.

It’s also perfect for boosting a single product you might be struggling to shift from your warehouse. Where Google is best for landing page campaigns and sales funnels, when you just have a product to clear or a new line to introduce to the market, Amazon is perfect for giving an instant boost exactly where you need it.

Don’t forget about the “accidental effects” to your organic SEO either .

The more your products are viewed online, along with visits to your website, positive reviews and that crucial “social proof” is in place, you will find that your organic SEO is given a boost and the effects of an Amazon PPC campaign will be found elsewhere in your digital marketing.

We think that giving Amazon sponsored products advertising a try in 2019 is certainly worth a try if you’re an e-commerce or drop shipping business owner looking for a new marketing tactic. As always, for advice and support with all things pay per click marketing, get in touch with us here at Bargainarena Limited, and we’ll be delighted to help.

Which is better for e-commerce – seo or pay per click advertising