Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What is Search Engine Marketing (SEM)?

SEM is marketing a site with a search engine. Whether you are trying to improve page rank with organic listings, purchasing paid links or a combination of both then you are involved in search engine marketing. Search engine marketing can be very expensive. You will need to use paid to click programs and/or paid per impression programs.

So what does this really mean or work? Well, lets try an example, type in any group of words with lets say "money" in it. If you look at the list that the search engine gives you, the first section that you see is "sponsor results". They are up on top; and, they got there because they PAID for it. The list below these sponsored results are from organic traffic and are not based on paid links or ads.

All search engines now days have a way for you to purchase these sponsored slots, but they are expensive. Are they worth it? Only you can determine if the cost of these spots are worth the expense. Most people starting out in website marketing feel that SEM cost more per conversion than it is worth. However, SEM will get people to your site, but only your site can turn that traffic into a sale. A fact that you need to consider and remember when using SEM is that you pay for your ad no matter if you make a sale or not.

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11 comments:

capybara said...

I used Google Adsense for marketing my site but found it expensive and not worth the money. Great tips.

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's very good information. I wondered why those sites always showed at the top when I searched! Thanks :)

Anonymous said...

My preference is to use technology and free/low cost web 2.0 strategies. However, I think paid advertising is ok IF you have sound strategies you are implementing, you have a mentor so you are not guessing AND your website is optimized.

Looking forward to your articles-

Anonymous said...

You sure would want to know what you were doing before laying out money for SEO. It can be effective IF you know the right venue.

757jterrell said...

Karen, I completely agree with you. You need to know what you are doing BEFORE you spend money on promotions.

Anonymous said...

Yes you can buy your way into and onto a search engine, but never forget that "natural searches" get the most attention. There's your goal :)

Anonymous said...

One more way for the big boys to get on top. The little ones have to be creative....

Anonymous said...

I signed up for Google Adsense but only use it on forums where it's free to use. I've never made a dime though!

Jen said...

I never click on the sponsored sites. I'm sure I'm one of the very few, though.

Jen

Samantha & Mom said...

Thanks for the information! We are trying to learn how make money on our site and this Blog will be great for lots of help!
Your FL furiends,

Anonymous said...

Free traffic techniques are my favorite but to get Lots of traffic in a short period of time PPC is a must - and so is the investment.