Confused by SEO and SEM? Don’t be. Getting a grasp on the basics is easy and can be a way for you to drive more traffic to your website, increase conversion rates, and maximize your profit. With a little help from the tips below, you’ll be on your way to becoming an SEO/SEM expert in no time at all!
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• If SEO isn’t already part of your marketing plan, you need to add it in ASAP. Search engine optimization is a way for your target audience to find you on major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. If you don’t optimize your website, it will get lost amongst the hundreds, and possibly thousands, of other sites just like yours on the Internet.
• To begin, you’ll need to do a little research to find out what keywords are searched most according to your industry. You can do this by utilizing keyword tools available online. Then, you’ll want to incorporate those keywords into the content on each page of your website, in headlines, descriptions, and even the html.
• Once you learn the basics of search engine optimization, you don’t have to stop with your website. Use them in press releases, social media posts, blogs, and more.
• Be careful not to go overboard with keywords though or the search engines might see you as a spammer and discourage your website’s visitors from returning. No one wants to read content that is so overloaded with keywords that it doesn’t even make sense. The goal is to find a good balance between using crucial keywords while still creating an informative and interesting site that engages your target audience.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
• Once you have incorporated SEO basics into your website, you’ll want to think about utilizing search engine marketing techniques to your advantage as well. SEM is important to any marketing plan because it will help you develop a stronger presence on the Internet.
• SEM can include pay-per-click campaigns, banner ads, ad placement, and much more. Keep in mind that SEO and SEM should be used together for maximum results. A good example would be in pay-per-click campaigns … You’re going to need strong keywords if you want your pay-per-click ads to produce results, so this is where your SEO knowledge is going to come into play.
It’s important to remember that marketing your business is an ongoing process, whether it’s with SEO and SEM, press releases, blogging, social media, radio ads, television, or anything else. If you want the best results possible, you will need to not only market your brand, products, and services year-round, but keep up with the ever-evolving marketing industry.
If you’re too busy to handle marketing yourself, designate an employee to do it for you, or hire a professional. What matters most is that your company takes advantage of all the marketing techniques available (and applies them properly) to ensure your business’ success.
SEO and SEM, two pieces of the marketing puzzle (Source)