Organic Vs. PPC In 2023: Which Is A Better Investment?

February 13, 2023
Up Inc.

Organic Vs PPC

Key Takeaways

  • The first organic search result is 10x more likely to receive a click with an average CTR of 27.6%
  • The #1 result in Google gets 34% of the organic traffic and improving your ranking from #2 to #1 can actually double your organic traffic
  • Only 0.63% of Google searchers click on something from the second page
  • Organic rankings always equate to higher-quality traffic that easily converts to a lead or sale
  • Working with an SEO company on your search engine marketing strategy is the best way to guarantee your spot on the organic search engine results page 1

See Related: eCommerce Trends 2020: How Has The Pandemic Affected Digital Sales?

Organic Search Click-Through Rates: The Numbers Never Lie

On the first page alone, the #1 organic result is 10x more likely to receive a click and has an average CTR of 27.6%.

If you‘re like most searchers, you prefer clicking on organic search results as opposed to clicking on paid search ads. As noted by the CTR stats above, simply paying for Google Ads is not enough. And we are not just saying that because we are a leading Los Angeles SEO company.

Search engines paid search organic vs paid search search engines paid search organic vs paid search search engines paid search organic vs paid search paid and organic search

Recent studies have proven that in order to benefit from the traffic and organic clicks to your website, your business needs to hold a prominent organic position in the results, namely on page one.

Studies indicate that the #1 result in Google gets 34% of the organic traffic and that improving your ranking from #2 to #1 will actually double your organic traffic.

Furthermore, only 0.63% of Google searchers click on something from the second page of search engine results. So while Google Paid Ads (PPC ads) may get you immediate results on page 1, that kind of placement won't last long.

If you think you are getting the most bang for your buck with your Google Adwords campaign, I challenge you to reframe your thinking. You are paying for high-cost search ads that may provide instant gratification, but in the end provide zero long-term investment, minimal CTR (click-through rate) per dollar spent, and does little to heighten brand credibility.

Paid search digital marketing strategy search marketing ppc campaign search engine marketing ppc campaign search marketing search engine optimization landing pages

Organic rankings always equate to higher quality traffic that is much more easily converted to a lead or sale whereas paid ads offer zero long-term results.

Having placement in the organic results creates a sense of trust in the user, and when you are in the top 5 results, you are simply getting more of that traffic on a monthly basis.

Can you guess which websites are more likely to receive more leads and sales? 

If you guessed the websites that receive traffic from the more trusted organic results, you are correct.

Organic search engine rankings always equate to higher-quality traffic that is much more easily converted to a lead or sale.

This is why time and time again, an SEO Campaign from a trusted digital marketing SEO Company is a much better investment of your time and resources.

Important Tip #1: Make sure the SEO company you are hiring can show you case studies with proof of results before beginning any SEO campaign. Otherwise, DO NOT work with them.

Ok, Ok – Organic Marketing is a better investment – But does it matter where I am on Page 1?

Search engine optimization search engine optimization digital marketing strategy search marketing organic or paid search landing page organic search marketing

I think you know the answer. How often do you go past the top 3, or even top 5 results when you are searching? I’ll tell you: only about 3% of the time.

When looking at the bar graph above, CTR, or click-through rate, is the percentage of people who click on your website in that position on an average search. The conclusion? You simply must be in the top 3 results to see the traffic your website deserves, and you must work with a results-driven, reputable SEO company that can provide those results.

Important Tip #2: Considering a cheap SEO company may seem attractive at first, but in most cases, it doesn't pay. And, in fact, it could cause more damage to your site's reputation than good.

Ppc marketing paid search campaign search keywords pay per click organic marketing organic search work pay per click ppc advertising marketing tactics organic marketing

“Affordable” SEO companies most often lack the dedication and commitment (they rely on volume and often leave clients behind) and technical and marketing expertise it takes to yield actual, long-lasting results.

We’ve seen many clients get “burned” by scammy, low-cost SEO companies, only to come back to us to clean up the mess that was made (Google Penalties, Spammy Links, Ugly/Unwanted website changes, poor website copy, etc.).

Don’t make that mistake! Like most things in life, with SEO, you get what you pay for.

What does “organic search” actually mean?

Organic refers to the way a website “organically” or “naturally” appears in a search result. So when you go to Google, and you type in “Los Angeles SEO”, the results that appear after the Google ads are the “organic” results.

Google wants to ensure that searchers are not only getting the results they need but want to give them the best possible outcomes based on their queries. Therefore, these results are the best possible matches based on what you entered into the Google search bar, aka “keywords”.

Why Organic Matters

Organic search marketing organic search marketing paid search marketing other search engines ppc marketing paid search marketing ppc marketing paid search campaign paid ad

If your business appears in a page one organic search result, it suggests that your website and your business are leaders in that niche.

And what consumer doesn’t want to do business with a credible leader within their product, service, or field?

Achieving organic page one search results not only increases the searcher’s propensity to click on a website but also helps to establish your website position’s longevity and the duration a searcher or visitor engages with your website.

Once a searcher (or shopper) gets to your website, your website should make them want to spend some time clicking around, exploring the site, reading content, and learning about you and your business. Ultimately, you want them to pick up the phone, book a session, or click “purchase”!

It is important to note that conversion and Click-Thru Rate (CTR) have a lot to do with external SEO factors like a modern, responsive website that has excellent evergreen content, strong sales copy, and loads of great, easy-to-read and interpret information about your business, products, and services.

There’s no arguing that having your business’ website rank in the top 5 positions of Google is a great achievement. Like any great success, those results take a fair amount of time, skill and SEO expertise. However, once your business makes its way to the top, it starts to reap the bountiful benefits of consistent traffic, clicks, leads, calls and customers.

Overall, prominent ranking in organic SEO is not only beneficial to the people searching for your business; it is the best for the longevity of your website and optimal business growth.

Paid search results all the details marketing budget organic social media pay per click advertising

How And Where To Invest In Digital Marketing In 2023

A recent study determined that 92.96% of all website traffic is generated by Google! We can’t think of a better motivation to get a website going for your business in 2021.

If you already have a website for your business, it is time to take it to the next level by harnessing the power of Search Engine Strategies (SES).

Generally speaking, SES is the methods and tools used to increase visibility and traffic to your website (and your business).  While there are many other ways to bring more traffic to your website, research shows us that all other methods pale in comparison to online search.

Appearing in a Google search ad above the organic results is not enough. Where your business appears on the page matters!

Being on the first page of any search result is highly beneficial for a business. However, considering 92.96% of all web traffic is coming from Google, the most coveted position for any website (any business) is to rank on page one through organic search marketing. As you might imagine, ranking on page one of Google can be challenging not to mention highly competitive.

This is why Up Inc.’s SEO strategy campaigns are the most cost-efficient way to get your business ranking on Google’s page one.

Keep Reading: Up Inc. Launches Marketing Services to Galvanize Growth for eCommerce Businesses

--

Up Inc. eCommerce Agency is a digital marketing agency based in Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 2021, Up Inc. specializes in eCommerce, generating growth for brands by focusing on visibility, customer loyalty, and digital revenue. For more SEO tips and industry insights, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Want To Stay "In-The-Know"?

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER FOR VALUABLE "INSIDER" TIPS, LIKE:

✅  "5 Website Changes That Can Skyrocket Conversions and Sales"
✅  "99% Of All eCommerce Stores Make This One Revenue-Killing Mistake"
✅  "Software Roundup: The (5) Marketing Tools That Can Help You Increase Sales Right Now"
See you on the inside!
Up Inc. was started on the premise that marketing doesn't have to be a "black box" accessed by the few.  We aim to not only gain significant results for our clients, but also educate, collaborate, and communicate with them about what it takes to truly change the trajectory of their business.
Let's work together. Get Started >>
© 2023 Up Inc. Los Angeles. All Rights Reserved.
envelope