Within online marketing, there is one term that keeps cropping up and is crucial to the success of your online presence: search engine marketing (also called SEM or Search Engine Marketing). But what exactly does search engine marketing entail?
What is Search Engine Marketing?
Search engine marketing is a comprehensive approach to increasing your online visibility and attracting more potential customers to your website. It comprises a combination of two main pillars: search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine advertising (SEA).
1. Search engine optimisation (SEO)
SEO is the cornerstone of search engine marketing. It is all about improving your website organically so that it appears higher in the search results of search engines like Google. This process involves optimising your website content, using relevant keywords, improving the technical aspects of your site and building quality backlinks.
With SEO, you are able to optimise your website for specific keywords relevant to your business. Once your website is properly optimised, it will generate more organic (non-paid) traffic, which can lead to a steady stream of potential customers.
2. Search Engine Advertising (SEA)
SEA, on the other hand, revolves around paid ads that appear at the top of search results. This is often done through platforms such as Google Ads. SEA allows you to create ads that appear directly at the top of search results when people search for relevant keywords. You only pay when users actually click on your ad.
SEA allows you to create instant visibility and get results quickly. It is a powerful way to promote your brand, reach new customers and increase your conversions.
Why is the Combination So Strong in Performance Marketing?
Now that you understand what search engine marketing is all about, let’s see why the combination of SEO and SEA is so strong in performance marketing.
1. Synergy: SEO and SEA can work together to increase your brand’s overall visibility. While SEO works to build your organic visibility over the long term, SEA provides immediate visibility. Both can lead to more clicks and conversions.
2. More Data: SEA provides valuable data on keywords and ad performance. These insights can be used to refine and optimise SEO strategy.
3. Flexibility: SEA allows you to respond quickly to changing market conditions and seasonal trends. SEO is stable in the long term, but SEA gives you the flexibility to respond to opportunities immediately.
4. Broad Reach: By generating both organic and paid traffic, you reach a wider audience and increase your chances of conversions.
With online competition constantly increasing, understanding and leveraging search engine marketing is invaluable for any business. By combining the strengths of SEO and SEA, you can take your online presence to new heights and stay ahead of the competition. Search engine marketing is not just an option, but rather a necessity to achieve your online goals.