When it comes to digital marketing, it’s important to understand the difference between SEO and SEM. Here’s what we want you to know.
As a business owner looking to increase online visibility, you need to be willing to invest in marketing resources. The question, though, is what marketing strategies are worth your time and energy?
You’ve probably heard of the terms Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Both are vital components of successful online marketing. Even industry experts recognize the value of SEO for every business.
You might be wondering what the difference between SEO and SEM actually is. If that’s the case, keep reading for your complete guide to differentiating between the two.
What Is SEO?
SEO is an umbrella term that refers to any activity aimed at improving a website’s visibility in organic search engine results. (Search engines are where online users look things up – think of Google, Yahoo!, or Bing.)
The main goal of any SEO strategy is to make sure your website appears higher up on search engine result pages (SERPs) when someone searches for a phrase related to your business. SEO activities include things like optimizing content with keywords, making sure all images have alt-text, and ensuring that web pages load quickly.
What Is SEM?
In contrast to SEO, SEM refers to any activity aimed at improving a website’s visibility through paid advertisements. This includes strategies such as pay-per-click campaigns and display ads. With SEM, businesses can target specific audiences with advertisements tailored to their interests or location.
Think about the value of SEM when online users search for something on Google. They’re already searching for something directly related to your business’s products or services.
If you pay to have your website listed at the very top of the list of results, you’re in a good spot. After all, 93% of all buying experiences happen via search engines. Don’t miss out on the opportunities you might miss by not realizing the importance of SEM.
Understanding the Difference Between SEO and SEM
Both types of digital marketing offer unique benefits depending on the goals of your online marketing strategy. While SEO focuses on organic search results, SEM involves paying for placement on SERPs.
Still, it’s important to consider also paying for high-quality SEO services, too. Even though you technically can incorporate SEO content onto your website without paying a third party, it might not be the wisest move.
When you work with SEO experts, they can ensure both your SEO and SEM strategies provide a high return on investments. That way, your entire website design is useful and optimized to bring in as many customers as possible.
Invest in Your Business’s Online Marketing Today
Overall, understanding the difference between SEO and SEM is key when it comes to creating an effective online marketing strategy. Both can help drive traffic to your website.
If you’re ready to invest in a wider online presence, we’re here to help. We hope you take the time to browse through the rest of our website to see how our services can benefit you. To start, take a closer look at the SEO services we offer at your convenience.
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Tony Cowan is a 30 year graphic design veteran who has a vast array of experience in print, web and illustration. His knowledge has extended into digital marketing and strategy in recent years and utilises these skills to deliver successful outcomes for his clients.