SEM (Search Engine Marketing) vs. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
What is SEM or Search Engine Marketing?
Search engine marketing, or SEM, is a form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages (SERPs) through the use of search engine optimization, contextual advertising, and paid inclusion. At least that's how Wikipedia explains it. In layman's terms, its paying to be at or near the top of the search engine results pages.
What is SEO or Search Engine Optimization?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a web site or a web page in search engines via the "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. Again, that's Wikipedia's definition, and for the most part is pretty easy to understand. The hard part is getting your web site to the top of the search engines for free.
OK, Now What's the Difference?
Seo vs SEM
The difference between SEO and SEM is $$'s! If you have a web site and it's been around for any length of time, you have probably received junk email from top SEO companies saying that they can optimize your web site so that it appears at the top of the search engines organically or free. The only problem with that is that its not free! Their service can start anywhere from $100.00 a month upwards of $5000 per month and more. While it is important to optimize your site for the search engines, it will still take time and money to do it.
Let’s look at an example of the costs involved with SEO and SEM.
SEO:
For a small site it may cost about $100 to run a report on your site. Actually, most companies will do that for “free” just so they can get your business. The reports are generated in seconds with a simple program and emailed to you, so they’re not really losing sleep over the expense. The report itself has many terms and codes that look confusing, but you can always call the SEO company and they will be glad to explain the terms to you...if you sign up. A starter package will run about $200 per month, and you ‘ll get the basics - keyword search, a little link building and landing page recommendations. Let’s say that’s all you get and you end up spending $2400.00 over the next year. That’ a nice chunk of change!
Now let’s compare that to SEM:
The basic plan can start at $149.00 and $49.95 a month for three months plus ad spend. So far we are looking at $298.85. Now you have to add in the ad spend. That’s the amount of money you allocate to your ad each month. Let’s start at $50.00 a month. That can be spread out evenly over 30 days so your ads are showing everyday. Now your ad total is $600 for the year plus the $298.85 for set up and maintenance for a grand total of $898.85 for the year, a savings of over $1500.00 over SEO. The best part is that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad! When done properly, those clicks will ad up to sales. After all, when someone is searching for what you have to offer, they are usually ready to make a purchase.
Now, I’m not discounting the importance of good SEO, I think everyone should be constantly working to get their web site to the top of the search engines. However, in the mean time, you should be getting your web site in front of the eyes of the consumer so you can start profiting right away while you’re waiting for the SEO to kick in.