[SandipanD]

What is the basic difference between SEO and SEM?
Which one is more effective to get business?
When I can list my site on the Google first page with PPC why should I hire a SEO specialist?

[Jason Dexter]

Question 1:
Search Engine Marketing can be an umbrella term for marketing a website in the search engines by means of organic and paid searches. Marketing via promotions and mini-websites.

Or SEM can mean marketing a website through paid searches where as SEO is used to optimise a website for specific keywords and terms to rank naturally

Question 2 & 3:

Both are good techniques to use, and if used effectively then they can provide your company with healthy, sustainable revenue stream.

PCC and SEO, when combined together, is a powerful asset to any business. I don't think you can say one is better than the other.

Cost is one thing. The cost of a well managed and effective SEO campaign can come in way below the cost of a PPC campaign. I've worked with companies that are chucked a hell of a lot of money at pay per click. Another cost factor is that it would be cheaper to get an SEO guy in to rank for a hard keyword, tha to chuck money through PPC

However, PPC is an instant thing. It doesn't take long for your advert appear, and can be switched off when you want. Or when an offer runs out. that can't be done with SEO.

Another thing is trust. Many people trust the organic listings a lot more than an advert. They see it as relevance. My 65 year old gran doesn't click on the ad's, and goes straight to the organic listings.


But ideally, an SEO strategy, built up over time, should reduce the cost-per-click price of a combined strategy. If a site ranks well for expensive terms, then you may be able to switch PPC bidding away from these terms and use the funds on covering other terms.

I often see it like this:

PPC is a great tool for offers and promotions. Discounts and sales for websites.
SEO is for promoting a website long term in the SERPS and gaining traffic for long tail keywords you wouldn't of thought of.

Combine them both

This post has been edited by Jason Dexter: 28 September 2011 - 04:25 PM

[oakleaves]

wow, very comprehensive answer

+1

[Fredrik Robert]

Thanks for asking such question here.. and i am really impressed with the answer given by "Jason Dexter". I had such doubt in my mind for a long time and i got some clarification for the same.

[palmgeo]

Jason Dexter, on 28 September 2011 - 04:20 PM, said:

Question 1:
Search Engine Marketing can be an umbrella term for marketing a website in the search engines by means of organic and paid searches. Marketing via promotions and mini-websites.

Or SEM can mean marketing a website through paid searches where as SEO is used to optimise a website for specific keywords and terms to rank naturally

Question 2 & 3:

Both are good techniques to use, and if used effectively then they can provide your company with healthy, sustainable revenue stream.

PCC and SEO, when combined together, is a powerful asset to any business. I don't think you can say one is better than the other.

Cost is one thing. The cost of a well managed and effective SEO campaign can come in way below the cost of a PPC campaign. I've worked with companies that are chucked a hell of a lot of money at pay per click. Another cost factor is that it would be cheaper to get an SEO guy in to rank for a hard keyword, tha to chuck money through PPC

However, PPC is an instant thing. It doesn't take long for your advert appear, and can be switched off when you want. Or when an offer runs out. that can't be done with SEO.

Another thing is trust. Many people trust the organic listings a lot more than an advert. They see it as relevance. My 65 year old gran doesn't click on the ad's, and goes straight to the organic listings.


But ideally, an SEO strategy, built up over time, should reduce the cost-per-click price of a combined strategy. If a site ranks well for expensive terms, then you may be able to switch PPC bidding away from these terms and use the funds on covering other terms.

I often see it like this:

PPC is a great tool for offers and promotions. Discounts and sales for websites.
SEO is for promoting a website long term in the SERPS and gaining traffic for long tail keywords you wouldn't of thought of.

Combine them both

We all are speechless friend.. As you given the answer is completely great. you have cleared every single point so thumps upp!!!!!

[Jason Dexter]

What can I say, I deal with these sort of questions on a weekly basis haha

[Ilse888]

And what about SMO? Is it necessary if I do both SEO and SEM?

[Jason Dexter]

As SMO doesn't directly involve search engines, then you need to draw up a separate strategy which encompasses Social Media Optimisation.

Over the last year or so, Google has started to look at social media networks when it comes to determining authority and reputation of a website and is an excellent tool and is much more than just brand building and marketing;
recruiting, employee engagement and turnover, brand building, customer satisfaction and relations blah blah blah blah.

Use your social media presence wisely, and if you grow a strong following, it's a great way to instantly get content out there. Just had a new blog entry? Tell your followers. Look to hire a new Graphic Designer? Get it out to the social media masses.

[zed]

thread closed.