SEO vs SEM
If SEO and SEM were actual people, this would probably sound like the smack down of the century. Fortunately, the title is a bit misleading in that SEM and SEO actually work pretty harmoniously when used properly, and getting down to the basics can help you close your SEO leads.
Last we went back to basics with our post “Can Going Back to Basics Close Your SEO Leads?” and refreshed our memories about what SEO is and does. Oh, yeah, then we made a corny joke of Christina Aguilera? Yeah, I’m sure you remember that.
Now, let’s talk SEM (Search Engine Marketing) a little bit more. SEM tactics put advertising dollars behind your efforts to appear in search results. And there are pros and cons to using it. Of course, when closing new leads you want them to know everything is a pro!
SEM pros and cons
According to GoDaddy.com, “Within Google Adwords, there are re-marketing opportunities available to serve your display banner ads to the Display Network of website partnerships.” Google is the head hauncho in terms of its reach. It has a 93% reach on U.S. websites, which makes it great for lead generation — if you have the budget to invest in it, of course.
Pros of using SEM for lead generation
- SEM—and re-marketing in particular—gives you multiple chances to market to people who already know your name, likely because they’ve been on your website before. This audience has also probably demonstrated an interest in your brand.
- Something else pretty pro: You don’t pay unless someone clicks your ads.
- Another cool thing about SEM is you can set geo-specific and demographic restrictions. Geo-targeting, for instance, allows you to display ads in locations that will be beneficial to you, as well as keep you out of markets that won’t.
Cons of using SEM for lead generation
- According to GoDaddy.com, “It can take time to ramp up for re-marketing campaigns, because your site must have at least 1,000 visitors on a re-marketing list before your banner ads will begin to show.”
- You want to keep your costs low, you say? Welp, sorry! Highly competitive keywords are in play, and in that case, SEM can get expensive.
SEO and SEM Should Work in Tandem
Like we said before, SEO and SEM shouldn’t be at odds. They should be working hand in hand. And as an unstoppable team, they can give varying results depending on your target audiences and your specific service offering.
SEO will allow you website to place high in search engines via organic search results. Potential leads will also have the impression that you are everywhere via your SEM ads because your brand will be in multiple spots for multiple search queries. Pretty awesome, right?
Here To Help You
At this point, you can probably tell that we at Web Leads are not just in the business of selling SEO leads, we’re extremely involved in our clients’ businesses. We want to help your business reach its fullest potential by providing a reputable and honest service that will positively affect your sales. But enough about us, experience the results for yourself.