Charlottesville CSS Web Development

What Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is often confused with search engine marketing. Search engine optimization is the process of fine tuning a web site to facilitate thorough and proper indexing by the major search engines. SEO focuses on two web site components, content and programming. Optimized content is relevant, well organized and well written. Optimized web programming is well structured, standards compliant, error free and accessible. When properly executed, search engine optimization can dramatically improve a site's search engine rankings. Results achieved in this manner are called, "natural search results" or "organic search results."

What Is Search Engine Marketing (SEM)?

Search engine marketing, on the other hand, deals with various ways to promote and market a web site. Search engine marketers establish clear objectives for each promotional activity such as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. They monitor the perfomance of each paid ad in terms of traffic generated, revenue generated, or other specific measurable objectives reached (conversion rate). They advise their clients which ads and promotional acitivites offer the best return on investment (ROI).

Link Popularity & Promotion

Before concluding that the line separating SEO and SEM is clearly drawn, however, we must consider one activity that straddles both. Many methods are employed to promote web sites with the objective of increasing links back to the site. Promoting a site to increase link popularity is another means to achieve organic search results so it would make sense to include this in search engine optimization. Because this activity is essentially a form of promotion, however, it is normally handled by search engine marketers rather than search engine optimization firms.

Search Engine Submission Companies

Further complicating the subject of link popularity, there are a number of firms representing themselves as SEO companies that actually engage only, or primarily, in link promotion. These companies pay little or no attention to the primary -- and time consuming -- elements of search engine optimization discussed above, programming and content. They often advertise that they will submit your site to hundreds or thousands of search engines and search directories. Before hiring a company that focuses on site submissions, do your research.

SEO & SEM Comparison

The ultimate goal of search engine optimization and search engine marketing for a business web site is usually the same: to increase profits by attracting paying customers. The methods are different. Search engine optimization attracts paying customers by improving natural search results, also known as "organic" search results. Search engine marketing, on the other hand, attracts paying customers through paid advertising and other marketing techniques.

Organic SEO Cost & Benefits

Firms with limited budgets prefer search engine optimization because it increases organic search results, which generate far more traffic than paid search results. Search engine optimization is also more cost effective than search engine marketing because achieving great results does not require purchasing ads or paying for monthly press releases.

Ready For Search Engine Optimization?

If you are ready to improve your search engine rankings, please use our form to contact us in Central Virginia.

Better yet, pick up the phone and give Nick a call. He'll answer the phone with this greeting: "Hi! This is Nick". After a few quick questions he'll schedule a meeting to discuss your current SEO situation and your web site objectives. The first meeting is free. If Nick can't help you, he'll recommend someone who can. He's a nice guy. Give him a call! 434-284-2840