Friday, February 27, 2009

SEO and SEM For Online Marketing Success

By Michael Fleischner

Sometimes there is a great deal of confusion between search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Although these online marketing techniques are quite different from one another, they share a number of similarities.

First, lets focus on how search engine optimization (SEO) and search marketing (SEM) are similar. Each of these online marketing techniques requires a basic and advanced understanding. SEO requires knowledge of search engine and how to effectively optimize a website or web page. SEM requires knowledge and understanding about online marketing, online advertising, and keyword marketing.

From the outside, both internet marketing methods appear to be very complex. The truth however, is that SEO and SEM are simple to understand. Implementation of best practices is what makes success such a challenge. Search engine optimization is essentially the techniques you use to rank well on major search engines is a direct result of your understanding and application of proven techniques in the area of SEO.

SEM success is based on an understanding of running online marketing campaigns across various advertising networks. The largest networks are Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Each works differently but at the same time, the general premise is the same. You place an online ad that displays when users type in specific keywords that you identify. If a browser clicks on your display ad, you pay a fee regardless of whether or not they convert into a customer.

Search engine optimization is different from search engine marketing in many ways. SEO is defined as the organic result that shows up in search engine results pages after a user generates a query. Techniques associated with SEO are broken down into on-page optimization and off page-optimization. These techniques have their own nuances but are independent of one another.

The result is that SEO drives organic traffic. That is to say that after users complete searches on major search engines like Google, the resulting list is based on search engines returning the best result determined by their unique algorithm. When users click on these results you do not pay. Organic search is usually referred to as free traffic.

Search engine marketing differs in that you pay when users take an action. Unlike traditional advertising you do not pay for your ad to display. You do however pay when a browser clicks on your ad. The amount you pay varies on the competitiveness of your keywords and the position in which you want your ad to display.

Doing business online requires a firm knowledge of both search engine optimization as well as search engine marketing Both internet marketing disciplines can support your online success. If you are not currently comfortable with SEO or SEM, begin with some simple research, explore SEO and SEM products, or subscribe to an RSS feed. Doing so can improve your knowledge and expertise in both of these areas. - 15254

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