What should I know about Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing

Recently, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a phrase that has come into the mainstream. As the nature of search engine promotion has expanded, the tag "search engine optimization" hasn't seemed to cover what some companies and individuals feel they do. It is evident that while the search engine optimization industry focuses on free traffic, the search engine marketing includes click costs. This primary difference in the two has given rise to many presumptions.

Primarily, it is though that it is an easier task to achieve a higher Return of Investment by using SEO rather than by using SEM. Yet another such myth is what has been termed the 'landing page' yarn.

The landing page where the visitors first land upon is decided perfunctorily by the owner himself. Search Engine Optimization on the other hand employs an search engine which decides the landing page for the visitors based upon their queries. This important distinction is what makes Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing different.

The attention span of an average searcher does not linger long enough to register the actual content of the page and the links leading away that might potentially be beneficial. More often than not, a searcher lacks the patience to browse through axilliary pages and simply hits the back button. Quicker than you can say 'click' they would be back on the search engine and off to a rival webpage.


That precisely is the need to optimize your landing page keeping in mind what the searcher is looking for. This would ensure that the visitor to the site stays on as he has been assured of it being the ideal destination of his search. Relevancy is the keyword here. It is the hands of a professional Search Engine Marketing firm, which when at play would optimize the landing page. A search spider would achieve far from desired results in such a scenario.

It is only when the searcher is satisfied that the purpose of either SEO or of SEM is achieved. Money wise, a Search Engine Marketing firm requires more capital investment in the beginning than what is usually the norm at a Search Engine Optimization firm. Search Engine Marketing includes management and pay per click costs which makes it more expensive. On the other hand, Search Engine Optimization firms charge only for the management costs. But of course, only Search Engine Marketing would optimize your landing pages in a professional manner thereby increasing your returns.

Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are two sides of the coin. Search Engine Optimization can shower traffic upon your page for sure, thereby increasing its rankings in the long run. However, it is Search Engine Marketing that makes the visitors to your site stick. It is the conversion that makes all the difference.