Newsstand

July 21, 2011
Learn the Difference Between SEM and SEO at DMA2011 [DMA11]

SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing) are two vital elements of pulling off an effective online marketing campaign. But a lot of people are confused by the difference between the two. Many go so far as to assume, and even declare, that SEO and SEM are the exact same thing. But they’re not.

SEM incorporates a skillful combination of updated content, website architecture, and paid advertising with the end goal being the constant driving of web traffic to a site. Think of it as one large umbrella under which all methods of heightened exposure exist.

SEO, on the other hand, can be looked on as more of a subcategory of SEM. Whereas SEM takes into consideration all of the methods employed by an online marketing campaign, SEO directs its attention fully on the architecture of a company’s website. SEO is concerned with making the website experience easy on the users, and easy on the web crawlers whose job it is to populate search results with the most relevant online presences. SEO involves the publication of frequently updated, keyword-rich, and compelling content and has nothing to do with pay-per-click advertising or any other subcategories of SEM.

If you want to better acquaint yourself with some of the most effective and cutting edge online marketing strategies, as well as schooling yourself on search marketing advantages that only the experts are privy to, networking with those experts is crucial. Your best opportunity to do so is coming up this October in Boston at the yearly DMA2011 Conference & Exhibition, where you can take part in a variety of workshops on search marketing. For information on how you can attend, visit www.dma11.org.

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