The key difference between SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is that SEO is a method used to rank web pages in search engines organically. SEM is a comprehensive strategy that involves both paid and organic techniques to attract visitors to the site. Let’s do an in-depth exploration of the applications and results of SEO vs SEM as well as what approach between the two would fit right for your business.
What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
SEO is performed to enhance your online presence on search engines. It includes optimization of site structure by incorporating search engine-friendly keywords in the content. To gain ranking in search engines with the help of SEO is a time-consuming process and it could take even months for the web pages to show some positive results.
But the fact is that once your web pages start to rank in search engines like Google then there is no need to pay for clicks anymore unlike the paid side. SEO services can be divided into 3 main parts which are as follows:
On-page SEO:
On-page SEO services and practices include optimization of meta titles, meta descriptions, heading tags, and internal linking by adding specific keywords matching the queries of what people browse on search engines.
Off-page SEO:
Actions that are performed on other digital platforms to drive traffic to your website are considered off-page SEO. Activities like acquiring backlinks from credible websites having high domain authority, social media engagement, and feedback from customers are part of off-page SEO services.
Technical SEO:
Technical SEO is the tactical approach to elevate ranking in search results. These technical aspects include site audit, loading page speed, XML sitemap, and robot.txt file handling. These elements help search engines crawl and index web pages with ease.
What is SEM (Search Engine Marketing)?
SEM is a broader approach that covers the pair of, SEO which is the non-paid practice of ranking web pages in search engines and the other method is paid marketing also known as PPC (Pay-Per-Click). PPC refers to ads run Google Search Engine platform. The various parts of SEM are:
Local SEO:
Local SEO is a marvelous approach for domestic businesses. It is a process in which geographically related keywords are incorporated in the web content so when a customer searches any query related to that keywords, search engines fetch your business website and show it to the viewer.
Another important part of Local SEO is to enlist your local business in Google Business Profile which helps your brand to get visible in Google Search Engines and Google Maps. Local businesses can also get registered in online directories such as FourSquare and Yelp.
PPC (Pay-Per-Click):
If your business is new or you want to enhance its growth and online presence, Google provides the brands to run ads for that purpose. These ads are shown at the top of Google Search results when a related query is asked by the searcher. Businesses have to run PPC campaigns with an allocated budget.
Google does not detect any money for just showing impressions and the amount is detected each time a visitor clicks on the ad.
Targeted Advertising and Remarketing:
Targeted ads are displayed on different websites listed with Google Display Network. To seek the attention of the users, these ads are displayed in the form of images and banners. These ads are mostly shown on the basis of the area, preferences, and interests of the specific audience. You can target the same visitors who have already visited your site informing them about the new products and services. This process of remarketing can significantly convert your leads into solid sales.
How Long Do They Require to Produce Results?
To organically rank your web pages in search engine results, businesses have to perform SEO practices on their sites. It usually several months to rank the site on search engines with the help of SEO. Factors like expertise, securing backlinks, increasing domain authority, and generating the best-quality content also affect SEO practices.
If any brand or business wants to gain rapid recognition, the best option is to use PPC ads. After running ads on Search engines like Google businesses can witness traffic on their sites. The density of traffic can change due to the variation in targeting strategies and budget allocations.
Cost Difference between SEO and SEM
Here’s a review of the cost difference between SEO vs SEM
Every business and startup has different requirements to fulfill their needs. Elements like the level of competitor approach and ranking also greatly matter. For SEO, many businesses usually invest from 500 dollars to 7500 dollars in a month to achieve their required SEO results.
Whereas using the SEM method for the rapid growth of the business depends on certain factors like campaign budget, competition in related business industries, and bidding for keywords. SEM pricing ranges from 9000 dollars to 10000 dollars in a month. This amount will be utilized on the basis of visitors’ clicks on the ads.
What to Choose Between SEO vs SEM for Your Business?
Brands and businesses can choose between SEO and SEM according to their business preference.
If the business is focused more on building brand identity gradually but steadily, it should go for the SEO option. SEO is the best practice to rank a business’s website on search engine results for the longer term, providing any brand enough time to create dominating site content, structure, and design.
SEM works well for brands that are new but have massive budgets to execute ad campaigns. This technique can directly place your site on top of the Google search Engine without waiting for organic SEO to produce results. This also helps to draw a targeted audience to the brand’s site.
Bottomline
The question usually arises about what is the difference between SEO vs SEM and the answer to that is very simple. The need for SEO and SEM services massively falls onto the needs of every brand, business, or startup separately.
Businesses that have very large monthly advertisement budgets and cannot afford to wait for SEO services to produce outcomes should freely choose the option to use SEM services. Here brands can elevate their online presence and foot traffic easily. The placement of that website on top slots of the search result page increases the chances of more audience clicking on the brand’s site.
However, startups and brands that do not have very large ad budgets for monthly use can choose to go with the SEO option. Although this method is slow-paced, it also helps these brands to stably rank in search engines at a low cost as compared to utilizing SEM services.
