Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process in which a website is configured with keywords that correlate with your service or product presented on your website. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a marketing venture which works on advancing your website in terms of its appearance on search engine result pages (SERP's). The following takes a look at the differences between (SEO) and (SEM).

SEO and SEM

SEO is a means of marketing through various search engines. The SEO process involves different methods in order to optimize your website's listings to get a higher page ranking on search engines. SEO increases profit margins of websites as it positions the sites in higher positions on the search engine results page. Optimizing your website snowballs more traffic and helps you in achieving your most advantageous business goals. SEM forms part of the same marketing scheme as to that of SEO. Therefore, SEM is the general process of combining the process of SEO as well as implementing various online marketing advertising strategies.

SEO Facts

• SEO tactics enable you to have keyword rich web pages.
• Through SEO your site will have the necessary keywords implemented.
• The images and alt tags on your site will also be named through the SEO process.
• Article submissions and blogs are also tweaked to aid in the optimization of your website.
• Websites stand a better chance of not getting sandboxed by Google with the ethical, white hat SEO process.
• SEO amplifies your online presence and promotes your businesses reputation in terms of the services or products you are offering.
• Your website's files will be smaller after SEO is completed, therefore resulting in less server requirements and expenses.
• The smaller the website file, the sooner your site will be downloaded for visitors and possible customers to view what your business has to offer.

SEM Facts

• SEM uses SEO, PPC, PFI, social network marketing, traditional online marketing, and article marketing tools to optimize your sites visibility on search engines.
• SEM includes marketing activities such as online strategy management, reputation management, blogging, online target market assessments etc.
• Paid inclusion is a process of paying search engines or directories to add your website to its database.
• PPC allows you to decide on the means of payment, notably paying for each click made on your ad.
• This form of SEM is done with immediate effect. Paid inclusion is often the only means of getting listed on the top of the search results pages instantaneously.
• SEM also involves traditional forms of online advertising, such as banner adverts, mass email campaigns etc.
• SEM provides a good return on your investment (ROI).
• SEM also provides progress reports and performance surveillance.

Conclusion

Overall SEO and SEM differ to some degree, even though the SEM process includes SEO as a tool for optimizing the visibility of your website. Both provide you with optimum exposure for your growing company. Consider which option best fits within your budget and your expectations.

Further Articles

• Benefits of SEM
• SEO Techniques
• Difference between SEO and AdWords