SEO vs SEM: What Are the Differences?

SEO vs SEM : What Are the Differences?

Google processes 3.5 billion searches every day. So, if you want to get noticed in the online world, then you need to use all your tools in the virtual toolbox.

But, what does that mean?

Well, when it comes to marketing your business online. There are a few tricks you can pull to make sure more people click on your website.

For instance, SEO and SEM are two of the main methods of getting traffic to your site.

To help you understand what these two terms mean, this article will break down SEO vs SEM and give you an overview of both processes, so you can pick the best one for your brand.

Ready to begin? Let's start!

Google processes 3.5 billion searches every day

SEO vs SEM

It's easy to get confused between these two terms as at first glance they appear similar. The most important thing to know about both is that they are used to get better search engine results pages (SERPs).

What Is SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimization. To keep it simple, there are four main principles of this method that you need to worry about. The first is technical SEO.

If you want to improve the overall look of your website and the site speed, security, and structured data then you want to implement technical SEO.

In comparison, if your brand is more concerned with the aesthetic of your page such as the title, font, and meta tag then you're looking to improve your on-page SEO.

The other two principles of SEO are content and off-page SEO. These are focused on what the user reads and the trustworthiness of your site. As a general SEO guide, you want to combine all four of these principles.

There are many SEO tips for each section, but it's essential that you try to incorporate elements of each if you want to get better engagement and increase visibility online.

So, just remember these four principles:

Technical SEO
On-page SEO
Content
Off-page SEO

What Is SEM?

If you haven't come across the term SEM then you might have seen PPC (pay-per-click) somewhere on your newsfeed. Each of these names is used to describe the action of using ads to reach your target audience.

For instance, Google Ads, Bing Ads, YouTube Ads, and other online platforms are all examples of SEM in practice. To begin with, you need to conduct keyword research and take a look at competitor insights.

This market research allows you to create content and ads that are tailored to your target demographic. Once you have that information you can refer to an SEM guide to ensure that the right people are finding you online.

How To Pick the Best One for You

Marketing your business is tricky, especially if you've never had to think about these terms before. It can feel a bit overwhelming and confusing when you start looking into how to best advertise your business online.

However, if you're thinking about choosing one of these methods, then this section of the article will help you make up your mind.

1. Think About Your Goals

Every brand has its own set of goals in mind when they open its business. Some people want to get as many sales as possible, whereas others want to create an authentic product for their consumers.

No matter the reason behind your business, you have to set clear goals when picking between SEO vs SEM. Therefore, it's good to brainstorm with your team or colleague to figure out what you want to achieve online.

Think of it this way, if you want to focus on driving sales and promoting a new offer, then SEM will help you reach those goals. However, if you're more concerned about long-term growth, then SEO is a better option.

2. Evaluate Your Performance

Another way to determine whether SEO or SEM is the right choice is to evaluate the current state of your website and online presence. What is missing? Could you improve the amount of traffic?

Sometimes, you need to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective to get your answer.

3. Consider Your Customer

In most cases, businesses want to either keep consumers around for a long time or they want to boost sales and get new people visiting their site every day.

Both of these methods will attract consumers to your site, but one might do a better job at making sure people get to certain places on your page. SEM relies heavily on ads so you need to be prepared to invest in them.

However, SEM is also great for getting immediate results because of the ads.

Even though SEO takes longer to see results, it has a higher engagement rate with users. So, if you have the time and patience this could be a more effective strategy for your brand.

Despite both SEO and SEM being excellent ways to market your business, there's nothing stopping you from using both. Experts would suggest that blending both methods will give the ideal mix of efficiency and growth.

You can always get some help implementing these strategies into your marketing campaign from our team. We offer SEM and SEO services for a range of businesses big and small.

So, whatever your goal is, we can make it happen with our skills and knowledge in this field. That way, you can focus on building your business and planning for the future!

A Strategy for Every Business

There is no clear winner between SEO vs SEM because both of these processes provide different results depending on the company using them. Although it would be easier if you could know exactly what to use...

Ultimately, your brand will be more suited to one than the other. It's up to you as a business to decide which method you want to try out in your content plan.

Luckily, you don't need to handle it alone. We're ready to get to work and take your business to the next level!

Give us a call to find out more.