Difference Between Seo & Sem

[Emoneytimes]

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it “ranks,” the more searchers will visit that site. The leading search engines, Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft, use crawlers to find pages for their algorithmic search results.

Search engine marketing, or SEM, is a form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages (SERPs). According to the Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization, SEM methods include: search engine optimization (or SEO), paid placement, and paid inclusion.

One Important Thing To Ponder !

No SEM campaign is complete without SEO. Moreover, since the purpose of SEO is to make the site better for both search engines and users, you may find that it will suffice on its own. In any case, the advantages of SEO over the other aspects of SEM make it clear that, even if you are going to spend additional money on advertising and paid placement, SEO must be your first step in promoting your site.

[marchal04]

SEM - Search Engine Marketing

This is the process of marketing a Web site via search engines through multiple tactics both paid and organic to increase visibility, brand awareness, traffic and most definitely ROI. SEM encompasses SEO, paid advertising, Social Media Marketing, Blog marketing and Web analytics. Let’s break these down separately.

SEO - Search Engine Optimization

A crucial component of any SEM campaign, SEO is a long term strategy that includes using both on and off page factors such as strategic linking, content, addressing site structure / navigation, and technical search friendliness issues. SEO does not happen overnight. But with a little elbow grease your Web site can enjoy quality targeted traffic and top search positions.

[partnergaming]

I always thought that the definitions you give to SEM are the correct, but i see so many poople that consider SEM as just Pay per click.

[dittoteam]

Good posts from everyone. On my websites I always concentrate on SEO first and foremost. The rest seems to take care of itself.

[Emoneytimes]

That is right guys. One should first take care of Seo as it is the corner stone of any website.

[jmathers]

Seo & Sem mean nothing if customers only understand results. When marketing to clients there definitely has to be a balance of options that will guarantee results for their efforts.

[blueonline]

Both methods could be required when it comes to managing a top ranking website which is at the same time profitable. In fact a lot of even top Google ranking websites and online firms are nowadays found to spend a lot of cash on their PPC plus marketing tasks because top ranks might not seem enough for them as there are still lots of more ways to increase their web traffic shares and profits. SEO plus SEM are actually closely connected to each other, especially in shopping and money related web niches.

[El_Dorado]

I thought SEO was mainly focusing on your placement in SERPS through content generated within your site. Is SEM such things as Pay Per click, Link Building, and Traffic Purchase?

[Dacota]

SEO is focused on internal Resources.
SEM is focused on external Resources.

[lizatailor23]

SEO is a part of SEM. SEO(search engine optimization) is the process of optimizing HTML and your site contents for targeted key phrases in order to attain higher natural listings than competing websites.It is mainly done to achieve increased traffic and backlinks for high PR.
SEM is wider than SEO. This includes seo and it is usually done to increase sites visibility in search engine results pages. If you are new to the world of online marketing, i suggest you start with seo before aiming for SEM.