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Marketing your Business and the Difference Between SEO and SEM

If you are a business owner one of the keys to success is gaining new customers.  In today’s society one of the ways to gain new customers is through online internet marketing.  Online internet marketing consists of having a website and properly exposing the website out into the internet world through SEO and SEM.  To most people the acronyms SEO and SEM don’t mean a thing, but to a successful business, they mean a lot.

When searching for a product or service online, search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo will provide a list of results which are the best fit for the keywords or terms you searched for.  Many times, these lists will consist of results coming from both SEO and through SEM.

Where do you show up in a Google search?

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization.  Search Engine Optimization is the process of optimizing your website to help it better rank in the list of results from search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing.  SEO is the methodology or procedure of online strategies and techniques which are used to help increase the traffic to your website.  An effective SEO program can help your business rank higher in search terms which are relevant to your industry.  If your SEO program is established correctly, your website can appear at the top of the “organic” search area in the search results.  The organic ranking is the list of results which is below the paid ranking results or SEM.

What is SEM?

SEM refers to Search Engine Marketing.  Search Engine Marketing consists of paid search campaigns such as pay-per-click or PPC.  When a company advertises using SEM or PPC they are bidding on keyword search terms relevant to their industry in order to have their website appear in the ad areas at the top or bottom of a page.  If a consumer clicks on your ad, you will pay the set price, which was predetermined when bidding, for that click.

How Should You Market Your Business?

When trying to determine which type of online internet marketing strategy is best for your company there are many things which you should consider when making that decision.  Ideally using a combination of both Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing is essential for any type of business. A SEM program built correctly will help your business gain exposure right away and a properly built SEO program will set your business up for the future.  The ideal position to be in online, is when your business is displayed multiple times on the first page in a search result relevant to your business.  Hiring a company who is knowledgeable and experienced in both SEO and SEM is key to having success with online internet marketing.

Who Can I Call?

Creative Web Builders is your solution for all your online marketing needs.  We were formed with the local business owner in mind.  Our mission is to make all your online marketing not only creative but effective.  We offer a wide range of online marketing services from custom websites, SEO and SEM programs.  For more information contact Creative Web Builders today.