Paid Traffic (PPC) vs Organic Traffic (SEO) Which is Better?

Posted November 30th, 2011 by Robert May

This is a great post that discussed internet traffic. It is something that I enjoy studying and something that having an understanding of can be of a huge benefit to you.

Via Brad Carroll - Real Estate Web Designer (Dakno Marketing):

I have to admit, I can sometimes be a numbers geek. I’m one of the few people who actually enjoy looking at Google Analytics.

There’s one graph in particular that always seems to stay constant no matter what real estate website I review. It’s the graph that compares Organic Traffic (the traffic that comes from natural search engine optimization) vs Paid Traffic (Google Pay Per Click advertising). It always shows the same thing. Organic Traffic yields far better visitors than Pay Per Click. But, don’t just take my word for it. Let’s look at some numbers.

You can see that the particular site we are looking at has about the same amount of Organic Traffic vs Paid Traffic.

But, that’s where the similarities end.

The organic traffic has almost 3 times the amount of pageviews - Wow!

That’s not all. Let’s take a look at time on site. Pay Per Click traffic only clicked around the site for 2:30 vs 4:16 from Organic Traffic.

I can go on and on with numbers like these but I know not everyone is a data geek like me.

What Does PPC Really Cost You?

Looking at these stats, it’s easy to see that Pay Per Click Traffic costs more than just the cost of advertising. It can also cost you quality traffic.

The "Why" Behind the Numbers

I think one of the key features (and conversion points) of a real estate website is to be a solid resource - a research tool. Many potential home buyers and sellers start out in the “information gathering” stage. As a result, they want a site that has quality information and doesn’t put everything behind a forced registration wall. Most people automatically assume a company that is buying keywords to be in the “sponsored results” is going to try to sell them something. Sites that show high in the natural rankings are there because they have killer content (amongst other ranking factors). As a result, people know the site will probably be information rich.

So, What Do You Do?

If you know people are seeking killer content, then give them killer content. Be THE resource for Hoboken condos. Offer extensive information about Maui real estate. Whatever the niche, make it abundantly clear to your target audience and to search engines that your site is the information hub. You’ll not only grow your organic rankings but also gain higher quality traffic.

Here are a few of my favorite past articles from my Lethbridge real estate and mortgage blog you might have missed or wish to recommend them to a friend.

Alberta Marketing - alberta marketing experts
Lethbridge SEO - ranking higher in search results
Lethbridge Marketing - Condo living is great for student but also for seniors!
Lethbridge Videos- Videos about life and business in Lethbridge
Lethbridge Blog - Some great deals on manufactured homes in Lethbridge
Lethbridge Homes for Sale - searching for Lethbridge real estate?

Lethbridge Real Estate - link to my site

lethbridge realtor

Robert May is a Realtor, as well as the broker and owner of Rainbow Realty of Lethbridge Alberta . He is also a licensed Lethbridge mortgage broker and financing expert with Canada First Mortgage of Calgary Alberta. He has been in the Lethbridge real estate industry since 1993 and offers full Lethbridge real estate services to Lethbridge and surrounding area, as well as Lethbridge mortgage financing, mortgage refinancing , preapprovals, and Lethbridge loans financing to Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. He can be found online at this link: mortgage broker Lethbridge

Let me share my 16+ years experience in the local Lethbridge real estate and financing market with you! It is the first step towards making a profitable real estate decision.