Social media traffic v/s Organic Search Engine Traffic ?

Which is better ?

With the social media getting popular and search engines scoring values to social media links and traffic, it’s become increasingly relevant these days. There are websites being built purely to cash in on social media traffic. They dish out “resource lists” and stories tailored precisely for the social media crowd. And the traffic growth on Alexa are really impressive for these sites.

And comparing this with the search engine organic traffic, I can’t think of a good reason why a webmaster should  not try the social media. After all it’s a good exposure giving you new clients and readers.

But let’s look at how the social media traffic and search engine traffic are different and what is preferable to a website.

Social Media Traffic, the bad, bad side -

• Requires tailor made posts or exclusive stories to make an impression
• Requires a network of social media enthusiasts to help promote
• Is not predictable – it’s quite possible that the crowd will bury/thumb down your story
• Is not completely sustainable, though a part of it remains
• Is possibly less converting if you are into business/service

Social Media Traffic, the bright side -

• Gives you all time highs on your traffic stats
• Give you exposure to new readers/viewers/clients
• Sometimes also gives and increase in revenue

And Organic Search Engine Traffic -

• Is sustainable, gives you equal doses time and again
• Is more converting, though less in number
• Gives you “plateau traffic” (look at the illustration)

I wouldn’t dare to compare both the channels, because both of them have their own powers and significance. I’m not going to say that a website should completely focus on Social Media. In fact, there are a lot of websites I come across daily, which are basically lists of “101 photoshop effects”, “101 jokes” and things like that. I would definitely share them with my network, but wouldn’t want to come back to it later. There isn’t anything I can take back home unless it’s a super-awesome-extravagant post.

And I love the idea that social media traffic can be a life saver some times.Say, you have a dying blog and a single social media article can deliver you stars ! Doesn’t mean I’ll have them everyday but that’s a push, one would enjoy.

Search Engine traffic on the other hand is like a long term strategy which gives you comparatively smaller doses of traffic, more converting and healthy subscribers on a daily basis. Search Engine Organic traffic really counts how successful you are.

It would be a dangerous thing to completely focus on either one of the channels. Ideally, I’d say one should focus on Organic Search Traffic by publishing search engine friendly content on a regular routine and try out the social media channels in between, to give those booster shots. A healthy combo of both search engines traffic and social media traffic would be the key to a successful site/blog.

Damn, I should’ve re-written this post as the “12 Reasons Why You Should Not Ignore The Social Media”. Next time.