There are many components of a strong digital management strategy. Two of the most important tactics in digital marketing are search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). Though there are similarities between the two, it is best to look into them one at a time and decide which will work more effectively for your business needs.
The two terms may sound the same, and it can be difficult for a beginner to understand their differences. This blog post will help you tell one from the other and help you decide which one your business will benefit from more.
If you are new to digital marketing, you may think that these two terms mean the same thing. However, there are key and distinct differences that will play key roles in how you apply them to your marketing strategy. Here is a guide to help you decide which strategy is right for your business:
Search engine optimization or SEO focuses on how to improve your website’s rankings in search engine results. SEO involves hundreds of different strategies to help you climb to the top. The goal of marketers who use this tactic is to find the most relevant keywords and strategically incorporate them into their content to help drive traffic to their website. It may sound tedious (and in a way, it is) but the fact that it is not a paid tactic and it can yield long-term results gives it a certain advantage over SEM.
In turn, SEM is similar to SEO in a sense that it also uses marketing strategies to help the website reach the top of the search engine results. However, SEM uses paid marketing tactics to achieve this goal. The strategy that is most often used for SEM is a system referred to as pay-per-click or paid search marketing. The brand will be paid every time their advertisement is clicked.
In truth, there is no tactic that will trump the other. It all depends on your needs and preferences. There may be some instances when SEM will need to be used and other times, you may benefit more from SEO strategies. To make a long story short, a strong digital marketing strategy will make use of both strategies for effective marketing and lead generation.
Both these types of search marketing strategies may be useful on their own. They both have their individual advantages and disadvantages. It will now be up to you, as the marketer to decide which type of strategy will work best with each part of your marketing plan. Keep in mind that one or the other may provide solutions for marketing dilemmas and you will need to exercise caution when you choose which one to use. However, there is a chance that you may still feel a little hesitant to make the choice on your own. This is where working with an experienced digital marketing team will come in handy. These professionals know the ins and outs of search marketing and they will be able to help you make sound choices that will benefit your business in the long run.
Whether you need help with your SEO or SEM strategies or if you want advice on your digital marketing plan as a whole, come to LJordan Designs! Let our web design, development, marketing services be your one-stop shop to take your product or service to the next level. With years of web and marketing experience, we can help with strategy, design, development, photography, video production, and much more. Contact us and get the best online marketing plan for your business today!