If you are new to Internet marketing, you may have some questions about the difference between search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Both of these subjects are vitally important to your online marketing campaigns, but each tackles a slightly different angle of the ongoing struggle to get your website noticed.
Both search engine optimization (SEO) and search marketing (SEM) require a specialized set of skills. SEO requires knowledge of search engine and how to effectively optimize a website or web page. SEM requires knowledge and understanding of online marketing, online advertising, and keyword marketing. Although it can be intimidating diving into either of these fields, the key is simply identifying where you will be best served.
Search engine optimization is a broad term for all of the various tricks and techniques used to promote a website within search engine results. Sites with good SEO (whether intentionally applied or a result of natural growth) will appear higher in the results pages than those with poor SEO. Since so few search engine users bother to even go on to the second page of results — let alone third, fourth, and fifth — you need to have good SEO if you want to see any traffic from search engines.
SEO can take time to enact, and results cannot be guaranteed. For some a more direct approach to appearing on search engine results is advisable, which is why search engine marketing is a growing field in advertising. SEM puts ads for your site in prominent positions on search engine results for the terms you specify. Unlike traditional marketing, you only pay when someone clicks through the ads, making it an excellent source of cheap, targeted traffic.
So what does your website need? You’ll have to consider a few factors before making your decision. SEM works quickly and easily, without any changes to your website or new content being generated, so it’s a good choice if you need results now. Most savvy internet users pick out search engine ads easily, though, and tend to be wary of clicking on non-organic results. SEO is a good long term investment, as having good results will generate more traffic than ads alone. Good SEO will also get you results in keywords you may not have targeted directly, helping you target more of your market than just with SEM.
A common tactic is to use SEM to get your link on search engine pages while waiting for your improved SEO to take hold and generate solid results. That’s why Local SEO Company offers both tactics for our clients. We can even help you determine which services fit your unique needs better.
