SEO v.v. PPC

[poodle]

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Hi,

I would like to seek the forums opinion on the value of SEO compared to PPC.

I've been advertising my site on Google's PPC for the last few months and it's gone OK but the niche I'm operating is frequently being challenged by the Google Mafia in Dublin. It's still possible but it's hard work... I just checked and in November my Ad got 145,000 views and a CTR of 1.5%. I'm not too unhappy with that.

I was approached a few weeks ago by an SEO company who made me a simple offer:

1) Give me your 5 prime keywords
2) We'll get one of them on page one of Google UK Search Results within 90 days
3) When we do you pay us money. If we don't you don't - you don't pay us a penny.

Seems like a great deal. It's expensive but because I'm only paying when they succeed, it seems like it may work.

The question I'm trying to get an answer to is: how good are Google Search results performing compared to PPC? E.g. If 145,000 people see my site listed on Page one of the search results; can I expect a similar CTR?

Look forward to your thoughts.

Poodle

[JayCee]

Not sure on the autheticity of the stats..
Macalua.com » Blog Archive » SERP Rankings and CTR

[poodle]

That's really helpfull. Thanks!

[Elaine]

I would be asking how they intend to get you on that first page - if they're using questionable tactics you could eventually get banned from Google!

It is quite easy to get on that first page using 'black hat' techniques, but most of the black hatters would warn against doing this with a 'legitimate' site.

[drivetowin]

As Elaine says I would ask what methods they intend to use, to make sure you don't get long term pain for short term gain.

The other thing to bear in mind is that you currently get 145,000 ad views for your ad but I'm guessing that's for a fair number of keywords. They are offering to get you on page 1 for 1 keyword - so you need to try to ascertain how many views the ad would actually get for that keyword - not all of the keywords combined.

Then assuming they get you in one of the lower three positions, you're looking at a CTR of around about 3% - ok if they can get you to position one or two then great but if you've got really competitive keywords and you're ranking nowhere at the moment then position one of two inside 90 days is a big ask.

[poodle]

Thanks for the replies and an extract from the contract reads

"will ensure that all work is entirely in accordance with Google guidelines (white hat)"

How do I recognise that they do or don't adhere to that? My 145k views btw is based on about 5 different keywords but I totally see your point....

[Elaine]

Ask them for some URL's they have helped get to that first page then check out their backlinks on Yahoo Site Explore also take a good look at their code to make sure there's nothing iffy going on there.

[morleymouse]

another thing to bear in mind is thats its quite easy to make natural serps 'spike' so to speak using slightly grey hat (?) techniques.

i know of a few tactics that will get you onto page one for a term as long as its not massivly competative witin 90 days, but after 180 days you'll be long gone...

If you can make the term pay offer them a fee for anywhere in top 3 places and then an ongoing maintenance fee for each month after that it remains there. This all does depend on just how competative and the nature of your keywords though - your call

[poodle]

Again: thanks for your advice. I have now been given a URL they have promoted in the past which I'll check out tomorrow using the ideas in this post. About the Google Spike: the contract appears clear: If at any stage they don't reach page one for 5 days out of 30 I don't pay so if it's a spike - the contract is null and void...

How competitive are my key words: VERY would be the biggest understatement ever.... Just searched for my favourite KW which returned: 39,100,000 results

[Brendon]

1) Give me your 5 prime keywords
2) We'll get one of them on page one of Google UK Search Results within 90 days
3) When we do you pay us money. If we don't you don't - you don't pay us a penny.

It's #1 that would concern me. You're giving away something of value there. #2 could be a good get-out clause too, depending on the EXACT wording of the contract, leaving you owing what you say may be substantial payments for potentially very little return