What is SEM?

Search Engine Marketing, SEM, is internet marketing to improve a brand’s visibility.

A well thought out SEM process will increase your website traffic and expand your footprint online.  It includes the use of paid search, typically pay per click campaigns. But, SEO can also be categorised as a SEM strategy.

This week we’ve been focusing on SEO and paid advertising, get up to speed;

There are several benefits associated with SEM, here are the most valuable.

5 Unmissable Benefits of SEM

You’re the BossSEM - Keywords

Search engines, like Google and Bing, give you plenty of options to be creative with your advertisement. Here’s what you can expect to have control over;

  • – Your choice of keywords
  • – Geographical targeting
  • – Device type preferences
  • – Negative keywords and phrases
  • – Specific time of day
  • – Your budget

The choice really is yours, SEM will let you cater directly to your target audience.

Grabbing the Attention of the Right Audience

Most people who research online have a general idea of what they’re looking for. Why else would they enter a keyword you’re targeting?

This means your ads are in front of your target audience, who are actively searching for products and services just like yours.

Increasing Brand Awareness

Both SEM and SEO aid generating quality traffic to your website. But it will also improve your brand awareness at the same time. The higher your page ranking on SERPs, the more confident you can be searchers will notice your ad; in time, they should recognise you as a trusted provider since you have an excellent online presence.

SEM - Analytics Google AdWordsMeasure Your Efforts

There are some excellent tools to track your progress. No matter what your goal or budget is, you can see what value your ad is bringing and how much it’s costing you. This’ll help to make educated decisions when it comes to deciding the budget of your next paid advertisement. If the paid ad was a success in reaching your targeted audience, perhaps consider investing more money in to future campaigns.

Most Importantly, It Works!

Be reassured your efforts will go to delivering a powerful message to your intended market and the best experience delivered at the right time.

Search engines are a fantastic marketing strategy, 61% of CMOs agree they are a beneficial marketing channel. With 31% of digital marketing budgets being spent on paid search.

If you are not doing so already, it’s time to invest in SEM. Take advantage of the fantastic flexibility and control you will have over your adverts. Choose to implement it as a temporary, seasonal or permanent tactic; as I’ve said before, it really is up to you.

About the author: 

Marie Harwood is a Digital Marketing Assistant at Different Gravy Digital, Hale, Cheshire.

Different Gravy Digital are a full service Digital Marketing Agency operating in the Hospitality & Leisure, Financial Services, Legal & Property sectors.  Products and services range from; 3D & 360° Tours, Website Design & Build, Social Media, Video Production, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Content Creation, Email Marketing, Online Feedback / Review Systems and Paid Advertising (Google, Bing and Social Media).

Contact Details:

marie@differentgravydigital.co.uk

0161 706 0004

120a Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2UN