Pay-Per-Click Search Engines

Are they a waste of time?

[Matt Probert]

As a webmaster, I recieve lots of invitations to submit my site to PPC search engines. As a user of the World Wide Beb I never use PPC search engines, prefering Google, Alltheweb and MSN as I suspect do most users. Are, then, the alternative PPC search engines a waste of time?

Matt

[johntabita]

I can't claim to know by actual experience, but I've done some homework on the subject in order to be able to intelligently advise clients that ask.

From what I've researched, your habits fall in line with the vast majority of web users. They tend to trust organic search results much better and click on those far more than the PPC listings. Most SEO experts say that they can achieve better results and save the client more money over the long term with organic SEO. The other downside to PPC is click fraud, which some industry analysts claim may be as high as 80%. The disadvange to organic is that it takes a good 3-6 months before you begin to see results, and the initial investment is much higher.

I don't know if it's a complete waste of time, but my impression is that organic SEO's advantages outweight PPC's. If someone has a different opinion, I'd certainly like to hear another perspective.

[MidwestMerchant]

I have been having pretty bad luck with the PPC goclick.com..for some reason my conversions are just unbelievable..Im starting to think competitors are ringing up my bill, but I have no evidence. So personally I think seo is the best way to go, even though it takes longer. A top spot in google can make lots of money, and is much more trustworthy than a PPC, just my 2 cents!

[anallawalla]

Depends on whether your site is designed to make money or simply get visitors for now. There is no doubt that the major PPCSEs will bring in more visitors for business-related topics, but always take recommendations for minir engines with a grain of salt. Just because a minor PPCSE works wonders for a gaming community site (just a random example) does not mean it will work for a B2B site.

Send a sticky to the persons who suggest specific engines and get a rough approximation of their niche and make up your mind.