PPC vs Organic Search: Which is better for local Traffic?

Posted by Jan at 4:39 pm

Which is better for local Traffic: PPC ( pay per click) or
Organic Search engine optimization?

When I speak to local businesses and mention that I am an internet marketer I normally get questions about my web designs or pay per click advertising finesse.  The irony is I do very little of either.

PPC Google advertising vs Organic Atlanta Local search results

While each has its pros and cons here is the basic lowdown:

SEO takes longer to get results, but your Local Search efforts bring a higher quality of prospect and last for a longer period of time. These click convert better because people trust organic listings 86% of the time. They also click more frequently on top organic listings.

PPC is quick - you can begin to get results very quickly. The downside is that it is highly competitive and it can be very expensive as the demand for it has risen sharply in the past year. For example, the term “Atlanta movers” is now going for over $10 a click! Plus, as soon as you stop paying, you lose every bit of that traffic forever. We always favor organic Search because it pays more in the long run.

I prefer to optimize website and business profiles for organic ranking. (meaning they show up without you having to pay Google to show them) I do this for two main reasons:

1) Organic listings get better click through rates and higher conversion. This means that more people click on and trust the naturally highest ranking websites. In many industries paid advertising is completely ignored. Eye tracking has shown that peoples eyes literally stay away from the paid advertisements and stay on the headlines and content of organic results.

2) Organic rankings often last longer and build upon each other. Having pages that rank high for natural search can increase link juice to other pages and phrases (when done properly) But they can also drain page rank if done haphazardly.

Organic traffic lasts longer & brings quality customers

We only do organic SEO. Your business will organically outrank the competition using the organic marketing techniques we have researched and tested. Many SEO companies get you quick rankings by running PPC campaigns, but all this really means is that you are paying for internet advertising, once you quit paying there is no more traffic.

PPC Local Results can be expensive and disappointing

Often PPC costs are ridiculously high and the conversions are dismal.  Many local companies have tried running their own Adwords campaigns and have no idea how much more effective (not to mention less expensive) Local search optimization and directory submission can be.

There are also plenty of inexperienced PPC marketers who over bid on high competition words forcing you to pay a fortune for bad leads. Don’t forget the  unscrupulous folks who will run up your adwords bill by repeatedly clicking their competitors ads. (this is called click fraud) Keep in mind: Google does NOT care if you EVER get a single customer off of Adwords – they will happily take your money anyway.

We don’t pay for Placement or use unethical or black hat tactics

We don’t use paid advertising (PPC) to rank your website or employ black hat tactics; because they will not get you the long terms results you need to stay in business. Plus they could get your listings deleted and your website banned.

Beware of PPC and Guaranteed top rank Scams

Be aware that there are many SEO SCAMS. Marketing companies that guarantee TOP Google listings are often boldly lying to you. Getting #1 on Google often means you will be paying for adwords or you are getting top placement for keywords no one searches with.  So please do yourself a favor and get ALL of the details. I had one client who paid $1000 a month for “guaranteed top Google placement”  for 2 keyword phrases. All the company did was bid $30 a click for the two terms (which meant they always showed up at the top) They spend maybe $350 a month on the clients adwords campaign and pocketed the rest.

Why- Because the 2 terms, although they sounded good, did not get significant search traffic. A somewhat shady way to guarantee top Google placement – Note: these results did not get this client any business!

Being organic is good for business:

Organic Local search programs are more cost effective and the results last longer than PPC or print advertising. With online marketing, Atlanta businesses get a higher return for money spent and attract customers who are more likely to buy.

Maximum leverage with long term benefits

The added bonus of organic search ranking is that these SEO placements last for months and even years and they build upon each other, creating an impenetrable marketing advantage. We understand that you need your customers to find your business information prominently featured when they do an internet search for your goods and services. We believe that the best way to achieve this goal is through organic search engine optimization.

Local internet advertising is the most effective when combined with Local directory submission, an enhanced business profile and links from micro local blogs and directories (like city blogs, chamber of commerce sites  etc) The factors that matter for ranking in Local are totally different from those that matter for ranking universally

Updated Local Business listings in local directories is essential

Local consumers use a variety of online sources including search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing, as well as directory type sites like Yellow pages, Kudzu, and Yelp to dig up local information. These business listings should be well optimized and frequently updated for optimum results. Leaving out even one important detail could lead customers (and search engines) to choose a competitor with a better optimized listing.

Local Business reviews and social relevancy counts

Customers want to know what other people think about your business before they do business with you – this is why reviews and social bookmarking can be so harmful or beneficial to your success. Instead of being afraid of user reviews – encourage them and reap the benefits of more local search exposure and more local foot traffic.

Successful local internet advertising means being MORE relevant

Quality customers come from high organic search results because that is what people trust. This also indicates that your pages and content are relevant to what people are searching for. This high level of relevancy is a huge factor in pre-selling your customers on doing business with you. Think about it, people naturally trust recommendations over ads, and in a very real sense, that is why organic listings garner a higher level of trust.

Local Internet marketing pays off.

Having a strong Local internet search and advertising program is essential to the success of your Atlanta business and best of all it costs less than print advertising, PPC (Pay per click advertising) or Yellow pages ads and produces better results because it allows real local customers to connect with you. Without a local business marketing plan you could be missing hundred or even thousands of new customers a month – yes even in this economy!

Go here to see examples of recent Local Atlanta Search numbers by industry.

Already have a website?

Posted by Jan at 4:42 pm

Already have a website?

You might need Local Business Website Marketing

Accurate Business listings in local directories are as important as a business phone – maybe more!

Local consumers use a variety of online sources including search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing, as well as directory type sites like Yellow pages, Kudzu, and Yelp to dig up local information. Local business listings are often free, but unfortunately the vast majority of Local Atlanta businesses never even look at their listings. This leads to a plethora of misinformation, lack of keyword specific search data and unscrupulous people who can go in and claim your listing as their own (and do anything they want)

Local business listings should be well optimized for the terms and brands customers are searching for and frequently updated for optimum results. Leaving out even one important detail could lead local customers (and search engines) to a competitor with a better optimized listing or accurate phone number. That is why we encourage ALL local businesses to get listed in the top 50+ local directories and search engines.

Top of the search engines is nice – But trust is better

We employ dozens of website marketing tactics and leverage hundreds of online channels to drive your business to the top search engine results pages. We don’t stop there – we use local directories, social media, articles and reviews to make sure your reputation online is solid and positive.  It’s one thing to be at the top of Google maps or to be #1 in Adwords, but that is not nearly as effective as having a positive reputation in multiple online locations. THAT is what makes people trust your business and in turn want to do business with you.

We don’t stop at high search engine placement - Our goal is to create a comprehensive internet marketing strategy that covers all the places your local customers are hanging out and by targeting a specific local group or area. We promote your business – not just your website. The gains for you are astonishing – more local visitors and a higher quality of prospect and customer.

Billions of Local Searches per month – do they see your business Info?

Internet users conduct 1-2 billion local searches per month (in the USA) which means there are a lot of local customers searching for every conceivable business. These local searches can generate visibility, leads and sales for the company that has a strong internet presence. This is why it is so critical to make sure your company is getting a big share of these searches.

Say What? Grandma really is searching online

Think your local customers are too old, too local or too unsophisticated to use the internet? Think again!

Search Engine Usage in the Past Week: (2009)
77% of those in their 50’s
71% of of those in their 60’s
52% of of those in their 70’s
77% of those between 18-34 year old

Can your business STILL afford to ignore Local Search Engine Placement and stay in business? With local website marketing, Atlanta businesses just found a cost effective way to increase the bottom line automatically 24/7!

Local Search and Web Marketing Assessment. Get Live Market research for FREE!

Learn how your internet business presence and website stacks up against the competition. Discover the keywords your customers are really using (and that you should be targeting) and get the low down on whether your business profile and web site is working for your business or just sitting there doing nothing. This is a FREE local Search Assessment with no obligation and no sales hype.  Are you ready to see how we can leverage your marketing dollars to the hilt?

What you don’t know about local search

Posted by Jan at 4:45 pm

What you don’t know about local search could be killing your business

Google has changed the game – and you need to know the new rules

Google and other search engines now determine local search results in a completely different way than they determine universal search results.

What is local search and how is it different?

Local search refers to the process of searching for a product or service within a specific geographic area. You may not be aware of this but Google automatically gives you local search results for certain search queries like doctor, plumber, hardware store or dentist. They do this on the basis of where your computers IP address is located. Which means they are also doing this for your customers when they search. Local Directory submission is the most important tool you can use to make sure local customers find your business information FIRST when they search online!

It’s automatic – Google knows where you live

This means if you live in Woodstock and you search for “plumbing repairs” Google will find the closest geographical match by giving you Plumbing companies in and around Woodstock. (but not Plumbers from Stone Mountain, Peachtree city  or Macon) It can also indicate that the search term had local modifiers like: “Atlanta plumbing contractor”,” Dentistry Center Sandy Springs” or “Hardware store Vinings Ga”

This is good for you if your customers are nearby but tricky if you want to serve a larger geographic area like  the entire Metro Atlanta area. Local Search also determines who shows up on Google maps. You might have noticed them, they now show up for all kinds of queries.  There are specific factors that get you ranked on the “Google 10 pack” (as it’s called)  and if you aren’t there you might as well be nowhere. 

How does Local Search work?

The goal of the search engines (Top 3 being:  Google, Yahoo, and Bing) is to give the searcher the most relevant and usable results they can. That is why it is so important to make sure YOUR information shows up there when a local customer searches for topics relating to your services or products. This means using the same keywords or phrases your customers use to search with, having an updated business profile and submissions to over 50+ local directories and search engines.

This bears repeating

You MUST HAVE your business information show up when LOCAL CUSTOMERS are searching for your products or services. Why? Because 82% of people use internet search engines to discover local businesses and 65% of them only click on the top listings !

Yes, your local customers are looking ONLINE for local information. Even more important is the fact that these local consumers are ready to take action. 82% of your community is using a search engine to find information about businesses next door. Better yet is that 61% of these folks made purchases! When was the last time you had print advertising numbers that high?

Local Consumers are more likely to take immediate action

Local Searchers followed up offline with an in-store visit, phone call, or purchase. This demonstrates just how important it is for local Atlanta Businesses to integrate their website and offline information so that it creates a strong web presence and brand. Making sure your information is up to date and correct across hundreds of search engines in no longer a luxury – it is critical step to making sure your business is not lost in cyber obscurity.

Local search customers are both fickle and eager to buy.

Your local customers are going online to research products, brands,  directions, coupons and specials. Most will start with search engines Like Google, Yahoo or BING, or go to local directories, map listings and review sites. People have moved to this kind of comprehensive search because the focus on providing information rather than selling.  This type of communication has replaced conventional “push” advertising to the point where local businesses must adapt or die. If the information presented to them is not relevant, updated or organized they will click away faster than you can name the competition. If you understand what they want (and give it to them) you will be rewarded with more sales, loyal customers and higher profits.

Only 44% of small businesses have a website ( -Webvisible Feb 2009) while 40% of consumers say that a web presence – or lack of – affects their buying decisions and over 80% use internet search to find local businesses!

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

If they can’t find you – they can buy from you

When it comes to marketing – being in front of your prospects at the right time  is paramount. If your information gets their attention and fulfills their needs then you get the business. If not, your competition does. That’s where being highly optimized for local search comes in.

Local businesses must adapt or die

Besides having your information online, it is mission critical to use the same exact keyword phrases in your optimization that your customers are using to try and find you. Most businesses optimize their website and their business listings for the name of their business when in fact over 90% of your customers are using completely different keywords to look for your products or services.

Can you say Missing the boat? More than 8 out of 10 Internet users look on search engines to find information and the products or services they want to buy and 90% of searches are for keywords related to your products or business. NOT your actual business name -Comscore

Updated Local Business listings in local directories is essential

Local consumers use a variety of online sources including search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing, as well as directory type sites like Yellow pages, Kudzu, and Yelp to dig up local information. These business listings should be well optimized and frequently updated for optimum results. Leaving out even one important detail could lead customers (and search engines) to choose a competitor with a better optimized listing.

A Local Search Specialist can save you time, energy and money

We lead local searchers to your business information. (whether its your website, yellow pages profile or Google local busines listing)  Total community coverage means you get in front of local customers at the right time – every time!