SEO vs. SEM – What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between SEO and SEM?
SEO: Search Engine Optimization
SEM: Search Engine Marketing
SEO and SEM are two distinct terms referring to interrelated methodologies for making your business, product and/or information visbile on the web. In a general sense, SEO focuses on the framework of your website, while SEM works to expose as many people as possible to your website through marketing.
In short, SEO deals with improving the volume and quality of traffic to your website using techniques which focus on natural or organic search engine rankings. Optimizing your site through SEO will focus on creating a user and search engine friendly architecture, unique content, frequently updated content, the use of highly searchable images/video/other media, manipulating your site html for maximum visibility, among other techniques.
SEM refers to internet marketing itself, as a whole, and may also include SEO in a broad sense. SEM another way to establish a web presence, and it is generally done through SEO, social networking, paid inclusions within directories and other sites, various forms of advertising including AdWords and other types of paid placement.
How do I know if I need SEO or SEM?
Through a detailed analysis of your website and current analytics we can determine what your site, company and/or brand can benefit best from. We’re all about results, and can consult with you on what strategies will show you the greatest improvement in the rank, visits, page rank and other benchmarks based on your target market and goals.