They sound pretty similiar – SEO and SEM, but they actually refer to two different parts of the same Internet marketing strategy. Obtaining website traffic through search engines falls into two major categories — search engine optimization (SEO or organic search) and search engine marketing (SEM or paid search). SEM is a much broader term than SEO, and actually includes SEO as one of its techniques. SEM is all that a company can do to advertise itself on a search engine, including pay per click and other online advertising techniques.

While both techniques result in an influx of website visitors, the methods and goals are radically different, especially when considering where your site visitor came from and what page they see when they arrive to your website. SEO, is the key to making content rank highly in natural or organic search results. And while these “free listings” in a search-results page are technically, well, completley free, most companies pay an SEO company  to keep their content at the top of the search engines.

But remember - both SEO and SEM are essential for optimal website conversion. It is the strategic combination of both that brings traffic to your site but it is the exclusive domain of SEM to get people to purchase products or contact you for a chance for you to sell them something. For example, you invent something new and the SEO of your website helps search engines find your site when customers become aware of your new product or service. Once the potential customer finds your site, they then need to be guided to make a sale – this comes back to basic marketing principles which is where SEM comes in.

The Net Impact provides strategic services for companies wishing to market their business online. Our process is clearly focused on learning your business, marketplace and competitors. As your SEO firm, we are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date methods for optimizing your website. We are constantly researching new trends and techniques to keep pace with the ever changing search engine marketing industry. Contact The Net Impact to boost your company to the top of the search engines!