SEO vs. SEM: What’s the Difference and Why You Need Both

SEO vs. SEM: What’s the difference between the two?  When searching the web for products or services, only 63% of all users scroll beyond the first page, and only 9.4% of those individuals ever click on a page 2 result. Top of page equals top of mind with your customers.

SEM vs. SEM in A Nutshell

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are two different tactics businesses can utilize to increase their online presence. When properly combined, they are powerful tools that can be leveraged to effectively increase your ability to reach your target audience.

SEO uses unpaid, organic methods to increase search engine visibility, while SEM uses paid methods to support organic efforts.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Today’s consumers turn to their phone or computer to find a business or product relevant to their needs. In order to compete, businesses need a strong web presence and aggressive online marketing strategy to reach today’s tech-savvy consumers. Equal parts art and science, a solid SEO plan will optimize your website so that it ranks higher with search engines – increasing your visibility.

The Smart Offices web development team employs proven SEO strategies through:

• Comprehensive Market Research. Discover who your target audience is, their wants, needs and interests – including how you can leverage your business to provide solutions to their problems.
• Competitor Analysis. Identify who your online competitors really are, their top-ranking content and keywords and how small adjustments can drive traffic to your site.
• Current Market Trends. Do you know what content is trending with consumers? On your website? On your competitors’ sites? This data provides clues on where to focus your efforts.
• Key Search Words. Identify keywords that address the needs of your target audience and build a list of topics to include in your website content.
• Detailed and Informative Content. Develop and maintain your site so that it provides a positive user experience and quality content to its readers.
• Staying Current and Adapting to Evolving SEO Techniques. An SEO strategy is a living, adaptive plan. We’ll continue to monitor changes in search engine algorithms, industry news and best practices to ensure your site stays current in an everchanging market.

Our talented team of developers help you enhance your online presence. Not only will we tailor a meticulous plan around your specific goals that’s consistent with your company’s strategic growth plan, but we can also help you maintain your site along the way.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a form of paid online advertising that engages the use of careful SEO tactics – including promoting websites on

web-based directories. SEM allows businesses to get their name in front of motivated customers on whichever device they are using at the moment. When properly combined with SEO, SEM is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to effectively increase your online visibility and reach your target audience.

Many businesses have been led to believe that once they get their website up and running, customers will immediately find their site. However, search engines are constantly adjusting their algorithms to ensure rich content rises to the top for consumers to find. Launching a website is only the beginning. The real work begins in the form of driving traffic to the site through a strategically layered SEO and SEM campaign.

A successful SEM marketing strategy employs the use of specific keywords to:

• Increase rankings on search engines
• Increase visibility
• Drive users to your site

Our team stays on top of ever-changing search engine algorithms. Let us take the guesswork out of maintaining your site’s web presence with a customized SEO/SEM solution that will keep you top-of-the-list with Google and top-of-mind with your customers.

Smart Homes Smart Offices: Your Trusted IT Services Provider

Still have questions about SEO vs. SEM?  At Smart Homes Smart Offices, our technology service experts are dedicated to providing you with proactive advice and effective solutions to your IT questions and needs. We offer three different levels of IT support, each providing a comprehensive range of services. To learn more, contact us today to speak with an IT specialist.

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