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Glossary entry: Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Definition and explanation: Search Engine Marketing

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a sub-area of ​​the large field of online marketing, which also includes social media marketing or newsletter marketing, for example. Search Engine Marketing (SEM for short) is the general term for the two sub-areas Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Advertising (SEA). In short, SEM deals with the goal of making websites and web shops under Keywords (search terms) on the first search results page of search engines (e.g. Google).

SEM - SEA SEO

Why is Search Engine Marketing important?

Search engines are usually the first port of call when people look for information, services or products. As a source for new customers, search engines are therefore a very important channel for companies to be visible to the target group in the long term. Are companies quickly on the first page of Google and co. found, this has several advantages. On the one hand more visibility for the brand, on the other hand more potential new customers and as a result more inquiries and more sales.

 

How does Search Engine Marketing work?

If websites or webshops want to be found under their services and products in Google, the expectations of the target group must be met . What worked long ago by simply offering the service or product on the site is proving more difficult today.

For SEM and the subareas SEO and SEA is about the interplay of flawless technology, high-quality content, a target group-oriented usability and Customer Journey and networking with other websites (Backlink Building).

If these necessary areas are not met, a good position in search engines such as Google is usually unthinkable. For this reason, it is important that companies deal with search engine marketing or hire an agency to support them in this. 

 

SEM, SEO, SEA - what is the difference?

SEM is the abbreviation for Search Engine Marketing. This term includes the two sub-areas Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Advertising (SEA).

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Measures by SEO (Search Engine Optimization) are aimed at websites and online shops under the respective Keywords (search terms) under the organic search results on the first search results page. In this sense, organic means something like “not paid” – i.e. the first natural search results.

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A position in the organic search results can be achieved when search engines such as Google recognize the relevance of the website or web shop for the respective search term. The Search Engine Optimization measures are a science in their own right, and the following sub-areas must be briefly considered:

SEO pillars

Since Google's algorithm is constantly evolving, the necessary measures from SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It is advisable for companies to get advice and support from an SEO agency in order to develop long-term visibility in search engines.

Search Engine Advertising (SEA)

SEA (Search Engine Advertising) is the second subarea of SEM (Search Engine Marketing). As the name suggests, it is all about paid advertisements. in search engines like Google.

In SEA, online ads are played out in search engines such as Google, YouTube, Bing, Yahoo, etc. in order to reach the target group. For each click on the ad must be paid (CPC - Cost per Click). Ads are played out when users search for certain search terms (keywords). Clicking on the Ads ad will then take them to the company's site.

The advantage over SEO is that the ads are positioned directly on the first Google page and are thus visible to potential customers. The disadvantage compared to SEO is that each click costs. 

The task of Google Ads agencies is to constantly reduce the costs per click on an ad so that maximum profit is achieved. The following points are particularly important:

  • The content of the advertisement coincides with the content of the website
  • The expectations of potential customers are met
  • The website is quickly accessible (loading time)
  • Potential customers quickly find the solution they are looking for

Easier said than done, because it also happens with Search Engine Advertising (SEA), like SEO, on an interplay of technology, content and usability.

 

Search Engine Marketing (SEM): Conclusion

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a very effective marketing measure that companies should definitely calculate in their online marketing planning. The two sub-areas SEO and SEA can not only work well on their own but also together. If you do not have any know-how in the field of Search Engine Marketing, we recommend consulting a professional SEO and Google Ads agency to get a trained Get a look at the potential and opportunities.

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