SEM and SEO marketing are two of the most effective elements of any marketing strategy of a modern-day business in Philadelphia. However, many business owners appear to be unaware of how these two marketing strategies differ. This article will help you understand the biggest differences between SEO and SEM strategies.
What Are the Differences between SEO and SEM?
SEO and SEM have the same end purpose; to get your business website on a search engine’s top result slots. However, the way in which they achieve this slightly differs; the following are some of the main differences between SEO and SEM:
SEM Appears as an Ad While SEO Does Not
On the search engine’s result page, the search results that you are presented with as a consequence of SEO or SEM are distinguishably different. If you invest in SEM to get your business ranked on the result page, your business website appears as an advertisement with an icon saying “Ad” labeling it so. Meanwhile, if you use SEO, on the other hand, no such marking appears on your business website, and it looks like just any other search result.
SEM Results Have an Ad Extension While SEO Results Don’t
When comparing SEM with SEO, you will notice that other than the “Ad” icon, there is another distinguishable difference in the appearance of the search results due to the two respective marketing strategies. Ad extensions, which might include additional links, callouts, and phone numbers, often accompany SEM search results. On the other hand, SEO results may appear in search with featured snippets that give the users a quick glimpse into the content of your website.
You Pay Each Time a User Clicks on an SEM Result
SEM strategy is a paid form of advertisement in which you will be charged for each click a consumer makes on your site listed on the result page of a search engine. As a result, you will need to allocate a budget to keep running your SEM advertisements. On the other hand, SEO marketing is an organic form of marketing and so is completely free.
However, it is important to note that with SEO, the competition is very intense, with thousands of businesses competing for a high rank on the result page of a search engine. With SEM, although you do have to bid for a keyword, the competition is not nearly as intense as with SEO.
SEM Gives Immediate Results While SEO Takes Time
Since SEM is a form of paid advertisement, your ad starts appearing on the result page of search engines as soon as you commence your ad campaign as is the case with all forms of paid advertisements. Additionally, you have the flexibility to pause and resume your ad campaign at any time in accordance with your budget and preference.
In contrast, SEO takes time to improve the SERP rank of your website. SEO works by manipulating the rank-determining factors used by search engine algorithms into placing your business website among the top ranks. This is a slow process and can take months for your site to gradually make its way into a noticeable SERP rank.
Concluding Thoughts
Knowing the differences between SEO and SEM strategies is not enough to properly integrate them into your overall marketing strategy. You need the assistance of a professional. Philly Online Marketing is a professional digital marketing agency that has served many businesses across Philadelphia to perfectly execute SEM and SEO marketing strategies. For more details about their services, visit their website.
