SSWT Internet Marketing Forum

It may sound a bit ridiculous but the fact is that in many instances, organic search engine marketing produces a far better return on investment than pay-per-click campaigns.This study conducted and published by iProspect looks at the return on investment and tracking information provided by companies that outsource both their pay-per-click management and their organic search engine marketing.Findings from the study include:

a)35% of organizations that outsource their natural search engine optimization and also participate in pay per click advertising -- and can measure the ROI of each -- recognize a higher return from SEO
b)42% of search marketers who outsource BOTH the management of their SEO and the PPC campaigns, find that search engine optimization produces a higher ROI.

Unfortunately, the study also showed that 45% of marketers who participate in both natural search engine optimization and pay per click advertising cannot determine whether SEO or PPC provides a higher ROI.After all,everybody invests money where there is impact,but if the place is not determined then confusions start creeping in.

I think getting free (SEO) traffic is great, but its also a challenge. PPC advertising can be expensive, and a total waste of money if not done properly. However, I think it is the best way affiliate marketers can hope to ever be financially independent.

Great points.

I think the term "free traffic" is an oxymoron.

You are going to spend time, energy or money to get the traffic.
So it is not free.

Anyone who has ever acquired top ranking in the search engines will tell you that the traffic is not FREE.

I think you make a wonderful point that most marketers do not have a clue as to where their conversions came from though. It is an ongoing battle to stay organized and technically on top of things to monitor your spending and know how it is monetizing.

It would depend on your objectives IMO, opting for PPC contribute well to a good marketing mix especially at getting targeted traffic. In reality, getting 10 targeted traffic is better that 100 random traffic. Getting just mere random traffic doesn't constitutes your site's success - it's the conversion you get from your traffic. Getting traffic is just the first step, offering the right stuff to your visitors and conversion should be utmostly considered.

SEO is great for the long run and shouldn't be left out. This is a long process and wouldn't always give you immediate results. Premium ways (PPC, paid links, banner, etc) for faster generation of targeted traffic especially if you have time constraints on achieving certain goals.

No doubt Organic Traffic is great.
Still, PPC campaigns with proper tracking at Campaign, Ad Group and Keyword levels can produce good returns