So you’re ready to move forward and get the word out. You want to increase your site traffic via search marketing. You know that search engines are key to effectively driving potential customers to your website. Maybe you’ve heard search engine optimization and search engine marketing both used interchangeably, but are unsure what your specific needs are.
Which is it – SEM or SEO?
Let’s start with what’s going to get you where you want to be, faster and more effectively.
SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING (SEM)
You need search engine marketing to really get the visibility you want online. SEM is basically paid search advertising that allows you to specifically target the audience you want using pay-per-click (PPC) ads, sometimes also known as cost-per-click (CPC) ads. You can select very specific keywords or phrases that will prompt your ads to appear based on the dollar amount you choose to bid per click. Your ads need to be well written and include specific keyword copy to encourage users to click on them.
SEM allows for increased visibility, but also targeted brand exposure in that you will be seen by individuals who are already searching for the products and services you offer. SEM is fast and easy, and best of all, is a measurable way advertise so that your marketing team can help you determine quickly if your campaign is effective via analytics.
But, you can’t do it without the right foundation. And that’s where our other search marketing element comes in:
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO)
In order to really sell your product, you must have the effective groundwork of a good website with well-written and informative content that will optimize response of search engine algorithms. Your marketing team can assist in ensuring you have targeted URL structure, meta descriptions, and title tags to help increase traffic from search engine results.
But the primary organic marketing of SEO is achieved via strong text on your site. Keywords that users will likely type into their search engines when searching for your company’s products and services must live in your website copy and strong internal links. You’ll want your content to reflect your company’s authority on your product or service. And the best way to keep your content fresh and pertinent to potential customers is to post regular blog articles that are interesting and significant to readers. Relevant pieces written by your marketing team can be made shareable on social media, and will draw more traffic to your site.
THE KEY TAKEAWAY IS TO REMEMBER THAT HAVING A GREAT WEBSITE INCREASES YOUR SEO, WHICH IN TURN MAKES YOUR SEM MORE SUCCESSFUL.
Your CrowdSouth marketing team is available to you for exciting ideas. Let us help you navigate the exciting arena of online search marketing. Reach out to us today for a consultation.