With the new year in full swing, it is clear that SEO is at the top of a brand's to-do list (if it’s not on yours, it’s time to get your priorities in order) and we’re happy to see it. Known as the dark horse of digital, SEO is the slowest moving, yet debatably the most important piece of your digital marketing puzzle.

At AMG, we find our strengths lie in SEM - working on creative strategies, writing $$$ making copy and creating scroll stopping assets. Never fear though, let’s get you up to speed with SEM - one of our most loved service offerings - and unpack the difference between the search services.

So what’s the difference?

SEO: Search Engine Optimization

Let’s get started with SEO. Search engine optimization is the process of increasing a website’s rank in a search engine's organic results. We won’t bore you with the nitty gritty, but with a mixture of keyword research, on-page SEO, off-page SEO and technical SEO, your website can creep up to the front page of Google (or Bing, we’re not here to judge).

In terms of cost, the only big expense you may have is contracting a SEO specialist or agency to do all the heavy lifting for you. The world is your oyster though, there’s a tonne of online courses business owners can take to learn the ins and outs of the art. That’s about it! If you put in the work to optimize your website to its best, landing the top page of Google is free.

SEM: Search Engine Marketing

Now it’s our time to shine. Search engine marketing is the process of increasing a website’s rank in a search engine’s paid results. In a form of PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, with a strong SEM strategy and a budget to allocate, your website can sit at the top of Google rapidly. Through keyword research, bid setting, ad creation and audience targeting your brand can fall in the hot little hands of customers within their consideration phase.

This can be a little more costly, but you can't put a price on where your customers are. Just like SEO, if you want to leave this task in the hands of experts (that's us!) your agency fee will be an expense. However, in addition to this, you will need to pay Google (or bing or yahoo) for landing you that top spot. Depending on your industry, a click cost can be anywhere between 20 cents to $30, so be prepared for it. In saying this, a strong SEM strategy, paired with an enticing website/product/lead magnet, is destined to deliver a return.

What does it look like?

It may slip the minds of some, but on the top of your Google search result you may see a little Ad beside the headline. In essence, these businesses are paying to appear there.

Anything below (and without an Ad) has the most relevant and optimized website to your search term - and that’s on SEO!

Below, you can see a SEM client of ours who uses both SEM and SEO strategies to support their business. See the little Ad? That's on us!

We understand that immediate results are exciting and pay the bills, but you should never give your 100% to SEM only. SEO is here to stay, and in the long run, you will be eternally grateful for it (because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love free search traffic).

Are you wanting to be on the front page of Google? Enquire today for our SEM services - hello@almamediagroup.com