SEO vs. SEM:  Finding Success with Paid and Organic Marketing

In the world of digital marketing, the phrases “SEO” and “SEM” represent essential aspects of any online advertising strategy. However, you may not know what each of these phrases mean or how they can add value to your business.

With that in mind, the team at Insights ABM has created this head-to-head comparison of search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). We offer search engine marketing in Dallas and are known for our innovative solutions.

Read on to find out more about the ways that you can grow your business through the power of SEM and SEO.

How Are SEM and SEO Different?

SEO is viewed as the superior way to connect with consumers. In fact, 70% of marketers consider SEO to be more effective than pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. That is a pretty steep margin! 

Still, SEM is valuable to your long-term advertising goals and should be part of your marketing mix.

Once you understand the key differences between SEO and SEM, you will be better prepared to incorporate both into your mix. 

The two main differences between the two strategies are:

Cost

SEO focuses on driving organic web traffic to your site. Put more simply, the goal is to get your site on page one of Google search results so that more users view your content. Seems simple enough, right?

Search engine marketing utilizes paid advertising to improve site visibility. When you launch an SEM campaign, your site will appear at the top of Google results pages by design. However, your page will be listed as a paid or sponsored ad. When someone clicks on your link, you will be charged for that ad.

Paying for user interactions makes SEM more costly than SEO. While you can set custom bid amounts, your site will not be displayed unless it is one of the highest three bidders for that search. If you are in a crowded market, this means that each ad can be incredibly expensive.

Do not mistake SEO as a free alternative, though. Creating quality content and optimizing your page’s performance will require resources.

Speed

While SEO is the less expensive option, it takes a whole lot of time to generate organic traffic. You must consistently climb the rankings over a period of months. In order to do so, you must regularly add compelling content, optimize your page speed, acquire backlinks, and more.

SEM can help your business obtain results fast. As soon as your ads and site are live, you can implement an SEM campaign. This strategy can help you generate leads and hit the ground running on the digital marketplace.

Why Use Both?

Contrary to popular belief, SEO is not the all-in-one marketing solution. While it is extremely effective, most businesses cannot wait weeks or months for their site to move up the ranks in Google searches. Instead, they turn to SEM marketing.

SEM bridges the gap between your business and consumers while you work on organic search rankings. It can help you boost revenue and raise brand awareness. However, it is not a long-term solution for success. That is why you must incorporate SEO best practices into your digital marketing strategy.

Search Engine Marketing in Dallas

Are you ready to generate more site traffic, climb the search rankings, and improve conversion rates? If so, then it is time to partner with Dallas’ premier digital marketing agency.

Insights ABM offers comprehensive advertising services. Our team can provide high-quality custom content, captivating ads, and a winning marketing strategy. If you are ready to make your brand stand out, contact us today!