SEM vs SEO: Which is Better?

In the battle of SEM and SEO both techniques work better together than against each other. SEO (search engine optimization) focuses on generating organic web traffic by listing your company’s page higher in Google rankings. This can include content, keyword use, and related external links. SEM (search engine marketing) strategies are paid approaches to generate web traffic through search engines. Using one without the other isn’t ideal, but both strategies can be used individually. For the best results, though, using both strategies as a pair is your best bet.

Benefits of SEM

When you search a keyword in Google you’ll notice the first few results are paid advertisements from companies. In essence, it’s an instantly generated lead in the same way a television commercial reaches your audience immediately. SEM strategies provide instantaneous visibility in relation to what a potential customer is searching for whether it’s a product, service, or content-related information.

Programs like Google analytics track every little detail from page hits to click-through rates. The page is easy to read, navigate, and collect necessary data that will benefit your SEO strategies in the long run. Google Adwords is both flexible and affordable if your marketing budget is tight.

While SEO is a necessity starting off takes a while especially if your rankings are already low in search engine results. SEM allows the possibility of outranking competition by ensuring your page lands in the top five results.

SEO Strategies

Since SEO is based on capturing attention from search engines fighting for top spots can take some time. That isn’t to say SEO is useless, in fact, it’s one of the best ways to boost internet presence in the long run. There is a chance your SEO strategy will take off within the first month without SEM if implemented properly. If your keywords can be easily dominated the success rate of increased web traffic will be higher compared to heavily saturated keyword use.

Multiple-use for SEO in marketing strategies like social media posts, blogs, and videos generates a wider reach than SEM. While you can pay for advertisements on social media, algorithms are meant to push popular content to feeds. Ads break up this content and unless the algorithm pushes directly to your target audience it’s not always a successful strategy.

Combining SEO and SEM Strategies

SEO strategies are very beneficial in regards to content and copywriting. Good keyword usage on multiple pages enhances visibility organically. When paired with SEM your initial traffic will come from paid spots, but as time moves forward your keyword dominance will increase through successful SEO tactics. SEM strategies allow your SEO strategy time to grow and saturate search results with your pages and products when specific keywords are entered in the search bar.