Business owners are aware that the key to their brand’s growth and expansion lies in effective marketing. As complex as it may be, innovative advertising is the ultimate key to success in the corporate realm. Marketing takes many shapes and forms, but each type of marketing has its own unique purpose. According to Jim DePalma, one form of marketing that has seen exponential growth in recent years is SEM, or search engine marketing.
Search Engine Marketing – Explained By Jim DePalma
SEM is a form of online marketing that helps promote websites by increasing their visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). SEM includes both paid search results (sponsored listings) and organic search results (unpaid listings). Paid search results are determined by auction-based bidding; the highest bidder for a given keyword gets the top spot on the SERP. Organic search results, on the other hand, are based on relevancy; the more relevant a website is to the user’s search query, the higher it will rank on the SERP.
Types of SEM
According to Jim DePalma, there are two types of SEM commonly used.
Paid search advertising, also known as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, is a form of SEM that allows businesses to bid on keywords and place ads on SERPs. The higher a business bidding on a keyword, the more likely their ad will appear on the SERP. Paid search advertising is an effective way to drive traffic to a website and generate leads; however, it can be expensive, and businesses need to be careful not to overspend on keywords.
An organic search optimization is a form of SEM that focuses on improving a website’s ranking on the SERP without paying for ads. The main goal of organic search optimization is to improve a website’s visibility and organic search traffic. SEO is the process of optimizing a website for Google’s ranking algorithm. The goal of SEO is to rank higher on the SERP for relevant keywords. There are many factors that go into SEO, including on-page optimization, off-page optimization, and technical SEO.
Difference Between the Two Types of SEM
Both paid and organic SEM can be extremely effective in driving traffic to a website. However, they each have their own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when planning an SEM campaign.
Paid search results are immediate; as soon as you bid on a keyword and your ad is approved, it will appear on the SERP. This is ideal for businesses that need to generate quick results, such as those who are launching a new product or service.
Organic search results take longer to achieve; it can take weeks or even months for your website to rank highly for relevant keywords. However, once you do achieve a high ranking, organic search results tend to be more durable than paid listings; they are less likely to fluctuate based on changes in the SEM marketplace.
In order to decide which type of SEM is right for your business, you need to consider your budget, your timeline, and your marketing goals. If you have a limited budget and need immediate results, paid search may be the best option for you. If you have a larger budget and can afford to wait for results, an organic search may be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what will work best for your business in the long run.
Bottom Line
Jim DePalma believes that if used right, SEM is a form of online marketing that can help promote websites by increasing their visibility on search engine results pages. It has the potential to drive sales and can significantly boost your brand’s image.