How SEO And PPC Work Together For Businesses
Updated on: 5 November 2024
It’s essential to understand how search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can work hand-in-hand to elevate a business’s online presence. For businesses, using both SEO and PPC marketing strategies effectively can unlock significant advantages, from increased web traffic to improved brand visibility. As we dive into how these strategies can be combined, we’ll focus on the unique needs and goals of the market, showing how an integrated approach can help attract, engage, and convert local audiences.
In this guide, we’ll explore specific strategies that help businesses combine SEO and pay-per-click in ways that yield results. By tapping into local insights, leveraging data from both organic and paid channels, and creating content that resonates with our market, we can develop a robust SEO strategy that enhances our PPC efforts—and vice versa. Read on to learn how combining SEO and PPC marketing can be the key to unlocking success for your business.
The Basics: What Are SEO and PPC?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): This involves optimising your website content and structure to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) organically. With a robust SEO strategy, businesses can increase visibility on Google, attracting more traffic without paying for each click.
PPC (Pay-Per-Click): PPC advertising allows businesses to bid for ad placements on SERPs, social media platforms, or other websites. Businesses are charged a fee each time someone clicks on their ad. PPC marketing can quickly boost visibility, especially for new products, services, or promotions.
Why Should Businesses Integrate SEO and PPC?
The synergy between SEO and PPC is powerful. When these two strategies work together, they provide a comprehensive approach to marketing that maximises both reach and results. Here’s how SEO and PPC collaboration can specifically benefit businesses:
1. Enhanced Visibility in a Competitive Market: By utilising both SEO and pay-per-click advertising, you can occupy more digital real estate. Appearing in both organic and paid search results makes it more likely that users will notice your brand and improve the chances of them clicking through to your site.
2. Increased Click-Through Rate (CTR): SEO and PPC working together create a feedback loop. If your PPC ads and organic listings appear on the same search page, users see your brand as a reputable, relevant choice. This brand visibility often leads to higher CTRs, helping businesses connect with the right audience.
3. Insightful Data for Better Decisions: PPC data reveals immediate insights on which keywords, copy, and calls-to-action perform best. When you apply these insights to your SEO strategy, you can tailor organic content based on proven, real-time data, making your SEO strategy more targeted and effective.
4. A Multi-Channel Approach: Users often browse across various platforms and devices before making a purchasing decision. By combining SEO and PPC marketing, you ensure that your brand is present across these touchpoints, guiding users from initial discovery to conversion.
Key Ways SEO and PPC Work Together for Enhanced Performance
1. Keyword Strategy Synergy
Optimise Keywords for Organic and Paid Search: When you run PPC campaigns, you gather valuable data on high-performing keywords. Use these keywords to inform your SEO strategy, optimising organic content around terms that you know drive traffic and conversions.
Focus on Local Keywords: For businesses in the Philippines, focusing on localised keywords like “SEO strategy Philippines” or “PPC services in Manila” can help capture the attention of a local audience actively searching for relevant services.
2. Content and Ad Copy Testing
Test Copy with PPC and Refine for SEO: PPC allows you to test headlines, descriptions, and calls-to-action to see which messages resonate most. Once you identify high-performing copy, integrate these findings into your SEO content, landing pages, and blog articles.
Boost Organic Content with PPC Ads: New content can take time to rank in search results. Using PPC ads to promote blog posts or product pages can give your SEO efforts an initial boost, drawing traffic to pages while they gain organic visibility.
3. Remarketing Opportunities
Target SEO Traffic with PPC Remarketing: SEO brings users to your site, but not everyone converts on the first visit. Remarketing with PPC ads allows you to target users who visited your site organically and re-engage them with personalised ads, such as reminders of your offerings or limited-time discounts.
Align Messaging: By aligning your PPC ads with SEO content, you can re-engage users with relevant messages that remind them of their previous visit, increasing the chances of conversion.
4. Increasing Brand Awareness and Authority
Dominate the SERPs with Both Paid and Organic Listings: Appearing in both paid and organic listings for target keywords (like “SEO and PPC marketing”) establishes your brand as a leader in the space. It also builds user trust, which is particularly valuable for businesses working to stand out in a crowded market.
Promote Brand Authority through Content and Ads: High-quality content paired with PPC ads promotes your brand’s authority. For instance, if a business writes about “SEO strategy Philippines” and uses PPC to promote it, they position themselves as a knowledgeable source for local SEO insights.
Real-World Example: A Philippine-Based E-commerce Business
Imagine a Philippine e-commerce business that sells eco-friendly lifestyle products. Here’s how they could use a combined SEO and PPC strategy to maximise web performance:
Step 1: PPC Keyword Research and Ad Testing – They launch a PPC campaign targeting keywords like “eco-friendly products Philippines.” By monitoring the campaign, they identify which keywords and ad copy yield the highest click-through and conversion rates.
Step 2: SEO Content Optimisation – Using PPC insights, they create optimised content, such as blog posts on sustainable living or landing pages featuring popular eco-friendly products, targeting keywords that drive traffic.
Step 3: Remarketing Campaign – Users who visited their site through organic SEO but didn’t convert are targeted through PPC remarketing ads, reminding them of their interest in eco-friendly products.
Step 4: Seasonal Ad Boost – During peak sales periods, they combine PPC ads with SEO efforts to ensure maximum visibility, using ads to promote time-sensitive offers, while SEO keeps their content visible in organic search.
Best Practices for Combining SEO and PPC
1. Monitor and Adjust Regularly: The digital landscape is dynamic. Consistently monitor both SEO and PPC metrics to identify trends, adapt strategies, and stay ahead of the competition.
2. Consider Cultural Relevance: Cultural nuances matter. Ensure your SEO content and PPC ads resonate with local values, such as family, community, and practicality.
3. Leverage Local Keywords: Prioritise local keywords, especially for services that cater directly to consumers. Including location-based terms like “Manila” or “Cebu” in both SEO and PPC can help reach a more targeted audience.
4. Optimise for Mobile: With mobile penetration at an all-time high, optimising both organic and paid content for mobile users is crucial. Test your PPC landing pages and ensure your SEO efforts provide a seamless mobile experience.
5. Track Conversions and ROI: Measure your SEO and PPC campaigns based on conversions, not just clicks. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Ads provide essential insights into ROI, enabling businesses to adjust budgets and strategies for the best outcomes.
Conclusion
Combining SEO and PPC can elevate the web performance of businesses, reaching users at various stages of their customer journey. When used together, these strategies amplify visibility, improve brand recognition, and drive higher conversion rates. By optimising for relevant keywords such as “SEO strategy Philippines” and “SEO and PPC marketing,” companies can target their audience more effectively, fostering growth and establishing a strong market presence. Whether you’re new to digital marketing or looking to enhance an existing strategy, the synergy of SEO and PPC is a powerful approach that promises substantial returns.
References
https://ahrefs.com/blog/ppc-seo-working-together/
https://emeritus.org/blog/digital-marketing-seo-and-ppc/