There are many comparisons between SEM vs SEO , you should know that both are two essential strategies in online marketing, but they can be confusing. What is the difference? Which of the two can you apply?
If you have questions about this topic, we will clarify them in this article so that you know the differences between SEM vs SEO.
What is SEO? sem vs seo
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. The main objective of the SEO strategy is to optimize organic search results, mainly on Google, which is the search engine most used by users.
SEO has been around since the 90s. Over the years, these strategies have changed and evolved. What are the factors that influence the positioning of a website?
The relevance
The search engine will consider your article or writing to be relevant when it correctly matches a specific search or more specifically when it answers the doubt or question that the user has formulated. If you want to improve relevance in SEO technique, you can use: keyword and URL optimization, faster loading times, better user experience, etc.
The authority
A website has authority when the number of visits is greater than the rest, and this is measured by the number of links that direct us to it. To improve the authority of a website, SEO techniques are used, and link building stands out among them.
What is SEM?
SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing. We can say that SEM encompasses all the techniques used to improve the positioning of a website (including SEO). However, SEM is used as a synonym for "search engine advertising". And that is what we are going to refer to in this article.
SEM therefore refers to the optimization of the website through paid advertisements for certain keywords.
What are the main differences between SEM vs SEO?
SEM vs SEO are strategies to improve the positioning of a website. However, there are several differences between them:
The first is the investment required. SEO is organic, which means you won't pay for ads or per click, but you must invest time, effort and budget in someone who is an expert in the strategy. On the other hand, using SEM, you will have to pay for each click on your ads.
The other difference is the place your website will occupy in the results pages. Google Ads or SEM ads occupy a strip at the top and a column on the right of the page, while organic or SEO search results occupy the central space.
The type of content we work with is different. On the one hand, SEO is based on creating quality content, while SEM involves shorter ads and landing pages designed to achieve maximum impact, but with minimal elements.
And last but not least is time: if you use SEM you are looking to achieve short/medium term results, while SEO is a medium/long term bet.
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SEM vs SEO Which is better?
The debate between SEM vs SEO is that the answer to this question is definitely that both strategies complement each other and if you combine them you can get better results.
And to use both, it is best to do SEM first, and SEO second. The first step is to do research on the most searched words for the niche, product or service. The most ideal thing is to find words that are in high demand or that users use in their searches, but that are not yet used on the pages.
Now, by using keywords, we can launch the SEM campaign to attract visitors to the site. This way, we can get visitors without waiting the time required for organic positioning.
In any case, the work that has been done is useful for starting the SEO strategy. We already know the keywords and the number of users who search for them. What follows is using this information to carry out the content strategy, working with the website, blog and social networks hand in hand with the keywords.
Ideally, they should be added based on what users need and the searches they perform, in order to respond to their needs correctly. And thus, by combining both strategies we will be able to see the results in the short and long term.
Why is it important to use SEM vs SEO strategies?
Imagine the number of entries, users and searches that are made every day, but your website, blog or social networks are found after the first page of the Google search engine. This means that you have very little chance of being seen, and being first has become a constant struggle.
The reality is that almost no one, if any, goes past the first page of results and for this reason, being positioned among the first will definitely give you an advantage over your competition, the number of clicks and visits will be much higher.
Now that you know the difference between SEM vs SEO and how to use both strategies, you will be able to optimize your results to the maximum. The important thing to keep in mind is that neither one replaces the other. Although the SEM strategy will help you obtain short-term results, SEO is the strategy that will always save you from achieving your long-term goals.
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Once you know the SEM and SEO strategies, you can continue reading SEO positioning step by step to learn more in detail. What you have to keep in mind is that these are disciplines that require dedication.
But once you understand how they work, there is no turning back. For this reason, we give you some brief tips to start planning campaigns using these strategies.
The first thing you have to take into account is the user experience. If you answer what they want to know, you will receive more clicks and therefore Google will reward you by placing you higher in the results.
If you offer valuable information to the user, they will most likely visit you again, or on the contrary, if you only think about the logarithm, you may be penalized.
Perform metrics to determine the reach and success of your campaigns, to decide whether to continue on that path or change direction. We hope the information was very useful to you, we hope you are encouraged and discover that the results are amazing. Good luck!
Courses that may interest you
Do you want to acquire more skills to master the world of digital marketing? We remind you to also check out our Google Ads From Scratch, Digital Marketing Diploma and Sales Funnel courses.
