Difference between overture and google ads

im new and confused

[Andrew Thomas]

Just started looking into PPC sites, it seems that overture and google are the two most popular, i created an ad word in google for a customer and he was very happy with the results? However im a bit confused what the differences are between the two PPC sites?

In google the ad comes up in a coloured box on the right hand side, but what happens with overture? (i havent used them yet) does a box get used with them, say i bid for the highest keyword where will my link be diplayed within MSN, Yahoo, Lycos etc

Also whats the best value for money google or overture, im based in UK if it makes a difference, i also noticed the same keywords are different priced eg widget minimum cost in google was 0.40p and in overture 0.05p? any comments

thanx

[miles]

Andrew the main difference is that Googles ads are clearly ads and different than the regular listings. Overture is not so clear, their listings are all alike with the exception of the price per click below the ad. Currently Overture provides listings to other engines Yahoo, iwon, and others I am drawing a blank on. So you initially are paying for advertising in I think 10 different engines. In 10 engines your budget does not go as far as 1 or 2. Bottom line Overture has more partners than Google in the PPC market.

You are the only one who can tell which is best for your business. I would suggest using both for a month and see which one works the best. If both are getting you great results then you should allocate funds to both.

[Mike_Mackin]

Overture is the original PFPtm directory. Rank is based upon what the market says the KW is worth.
Major partner sites are Lycos, MSN, and Yahoo! which have their own demographics.
Most people don't search on Overture.

adwords/select uses a formula to determine price.
Major partners are Google, AOL, Earthlink, Sympatico/Lycos
Depending on the industry, that formula can make adwords/select more expensive or in many cases less expensive.

As miles said:
"You are the only one who can tell which is best for your business."

What we find interesting about adwords/select is the demographic blend.
Unlike Overture, many people search on Google and those people tend to be highly educated internet savvy persons. But you combine that with the typical AOL user and it makes for a DIFFERENT mix.

Each websites results will vary.

[Shakil]

Andrew,

uk.overture supplies results to the following:

Freeserve - MSN - Alta Vista - Aol - Ask Jeeves amongst others.

I would recommend uk.overture.com for quality UK traffic, another option is Espotting.com, they are supplying Yahoo and Ask Jeeves and a few other smaller players.

Shak

[Andrew Thomas]

thanks for all your posts. I guess i will take your advice and try both for a period but use the uk overture (which i didnt know about, thanks) and the uk adwords.

Are there any other PPC or are these the main players?

[Shakil]

Stick with uk.overture and Espotting to start with, its all well getting traffic but dont overstretch yourself and wait to see if you are getting good ROI.

Mirago used to be good, but we stopped some time back.

apart from that there is the new Looksmart service and a few new small players trying to get in.

Shak

[Andrew Thomas]

This may sound dumb, but is this method (PPC) the only way to get high rankings. i.e pay for it, or can it be achieved through hard work and website content?

[dan_popescu]

It's possible in Google. It takes hard work and patience cause it takes time too.

Dan

[Shakil]

Dan just hit the nail on the head in his reply above.

We use a combination of both, this months spend on PPC is going to be way over £15,000 (ouch and thats UK only)

keywords are going at silly prices, but what else is a man supposed to do.

Shak

[Andrew Thomas]

£15,000 wow, im just small fry at the moment, makes me look silly!