SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing and SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Though both may seem similar and sound identical too, in technical terms, both are apart. Professionals at SEO Company can guide their clients and make the diversities clear to them with ease. Before plunging into the difference between the two, it is important to understand the terms.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Ways to increase visitors to the website employing organic means is called SEO. A large numbers of websites are launched every now and then. But attracting traffic to the website in a way that the site gets featured in the search engine pads like Yahoo, Bing, and Google is the aim of such activities. There are technical and creative parts attached to Search Engine Optimization. The creative part is the content in the websites which should be credible enough to gain the traffic for the site. The other side is the technical one which is observed by very few. When the result is delivered after the search, the first consequence is labelled as “Ad”, and below that are SEO products. Those ads are responsible for making the website search engine friendly.
As far as the content goes, it has to be relevant. Use of sharing links in other websites, blogs, and social media presence is another way to garner the SEO for the website. Content is the king and nothing is comparable to that because through timely, relevant, and credible content; the website does have a great future in the World Wide Web.
When the content is good enough it is shared by other websites also and as the content is highly visible on the World Wide Web, it is definitely going to uplift your Google Ranking.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
When Digital Marketing started gaining momentum, SEM was the one which entailed both SEO and the paid activity for the attention of the traffic to the websites. But it is clear now, that the Search Engine Optimization is aimed to garner organic results while SEM is focused on giving results through paid investment. The text ads which reflect on the topmost of search engine page results or SERP labelled as “Ad” are the real products of Search Engine Marketing.
Similar to the traditional method of advertising on the TV, in SEM also the websites have to buy Ad space in the search engine pads like Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
The experience which the professionals have in the generation of SEO can definitely contribute towards Search Engine Marketing too. Timing plays an essential role in the SEM. It should hit the correct audience at the right time. Waiting for the SEO for achieving that end is not the right approach of marketing effort and thus the role of paid advertising steps in.
The main aim of SEM is to generate Leads for the websites.
Difference beteween SEO and SEM
Time is the major factor which draws a line between these two marketing factirs. The results of SEO are time-consuming and people who want immediate response cannot rely on the organic results. It takes months to get noticed in the World Wide Web through. The ever-changing algorithms of the Search engines further delay the process. On the other hand, SEM can generate fast results because it is a paid activity and meant to generate results.
SEO is also a great effort for those people who do not have the money to spend on the paid activity. With the choice of correct keywords and content, results can be achieved through Search Engine Optimization but the time factor still exists.
Statistics reveal that SEM has the potential to offer 500% more results than SEO. If the website is in place, the social media platform is up-to-date, and then Search Engine Marketing is the best tool to invest money as the results are assured. The seasonal announcement of promotional activities by the brands requires fast results which can be offered by the SEM effort.
The fact is that both have their individuality and importance. The businesses which require immediate results have to indulge in seeking SEM assistance which is empowered with SEO.
