Don’t Burn Your Budget: The Case for Organic SEO Over Sponsored Search
Hey there, internet marketers and business owners! Today, we’re diving into a hot topic that’s burning holes in wallets across the digital landscape: the showdown between sponsored search and organic SEO. Buckle up, because we’re about to spill some tea on why throwing buckets of cash at Google ads might not be the smartest move for your business.
Why Paid or Sponsored Search hurts?
Picture this: You’re a shiny new startup, eager to make your mark on the world. You see those tempting “Ad” spots at the top of Google search results and think, “That’s it! That’s how we’ll get noticed!” So you take out your credit card, ready to splurge on sponsored search like it’s Black Friday.
But hold up! Before you max out that card, let’s talk about why this strategy might send your business down a slippery slope.
Competing over top keywords – Budget Burning
Imagine a company we’ll call “QuickBucks Inc.” They decided to go all-in on sponsored search, pumping thousands into Google and other Ads every month. They are VC funded and wanted to show growth and users to raise their next round. As a result, they go behind highly priced keywords which their competitors are holding the dominance in search results. Sure, they got clicks, but their bank account started looking as empty as a beach in winter.
Fast forward a few months, and QuickBucks Inc. is holding a going-out-of-business sale. Why? Because they forgot one crucial thing: sustainable growth comes from organic SEO, not just throwing money at ads.
How Organic SEO helps?
Now, let’s talk about the real MVP of digital marketing: organic SEO. It’s like planting a garden instead of buying overpriced flowers that wilt in a week. Here’s why it’s the bee’s knees:
1. Long-term gains: Unlike sponsored ads that disappear the second you stop paying, organic SEO keeps working for you 24/7.
2. Cost-effective: Once you’ve put in the initial effort, organic traffic is essentially free. Cha-ching!
3. Trust factor: People trust organic results more than ads. It’s like getting a recommendation from a friend versus a pushy salesperson.
The Organic SEO Toolbox
So, how do you rock this organic SEO thing? Let’s break it down:
What is OnPage SEO?
On-page SEO is about creating high-quality, relevant content that genuinely serves your audience’s needs. Here’s a clearer explanation:
On-page SEO is the practice of optimising individual web pages to rank higher in search engines and attract more relevant traffic. It involves crafting content that naturally addresses the topics and questions your target audience is searching for online.
The goal is to create valuable, informative pages that provide the best possible answers or solutions to user queries. This includes:
- Writing clear, informative content
- Using descriptive, accurate page titles and headings
- Ensuring your content is well-structured and easy to read
- Including relevant, helpful images and videos
- Making sure your website loads quickly and works well on mobile devices
Good on-page SEO isn’t about tricking search engines. It’s about understanding what your audience wants and delivering it in the most effective way possible. When done right, it helps both users and search engines easily understand and appreciate your content.
On Page SEO done well is like a red carpet for search engine crawlers to enter and understand your content to start ranking it in search results.
reference : https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide
How Google Web vitals help you win?
Google loves fast, smooth websites. Check out these key players:
- Loading speed (because ain’t nobody got time for slow sites)
- Interactivity (make sure those buttons work, pronto!)
- Visual stability (no one likes it when stuff jumps around on the page)
Pro tip: Use Google’s Core Web Vitals report to see how you’re doing. It’s like a report card for your website!
If your site looks something like this, then you are all set to sail on a smooth ride with Google algorithm treating you well. https://digispot.ai is the site used here for a reference which follows most of the best practices.
reference : https://web.dev/articles/vitals
Topic authority
Want Google to see you as the go-to expert? Here’s how:
- Create in-depth, valuable content about your topic
- Cover different aspects of your niche
- Keep your info up-to-date and accurate
How Backlinks help you win?
Backlinks are like votes of confidence from other websites. To get them:
- Create share-worthy content (think ultimate guides or eye-opening research)
- Reach out to other sites in your industry for collaborations
- Guest post on reputable sites (but choose wisely!)
Reference from Google : It’s important that link building strategy is a long-term effort. Any short-lived, often spammy methods are not advisable if you care for your site’s reputation. Buying PageRank-passing links or randomly exchanging links are the worst ways of attempting to gather links and they’re likely to have no positive impact on your site’s performance over time. Google can start penalising you for these.
The Bottom Line
Look, we get it. Sponsored search seems like a shortcut to the top. But in the world of digital marketing, slow and steady wins the race. By focusing on organic SEO, you’re building a solid foundation that’ll keep your business growing long after those sponsored ads have faded away.
So, put away that credit card, roll up your sleeves, and start planting those SEO seeds. Your future self (and your accountant) will thank you!
Remember, folks: in the game of SEO, it’s not about how much you spend, but how smart you play. Now go forth and conquer those search results — organically!
