SEO vs SEM: What’s the Difference?

What is SEO?

SEO is the short abbreviation of Search Engine Optimization. It’s the method of optimizing websites to make them reach a high position in Google’s search engines – search results. SEO helps to improve your website and content so that it is easily visible to search engines.

SEO is a method of enhancing the visibility of a website on organic (‘natural’ or un-paid) search engine result page). This is accomplished by implementing the search engine friendly website architecture, adding relevant meta tags, and link landscape. Moreover, it also includes optimization of the content which includes improving and grammatical corrections.

What is SEM?

SEM is a term which encompasses the steps taken to increase relevant traffic to any specific website, to enjoy the higher ranking in the search engines. Generally, SEM is made up of two different processes 1) “organic” search engine optimization (SEO) and 2) pay-per-click advertising (PPC) (or cost-per-click (CPC)). However, the field of SEM is not constant it is changing and expanding field thanks to constant new developments.

Difference Between SEO and SEM

Parameter	SEO	SEM
Orientation	Organic search research-oriented / Unpaid and paid optimization of web	Marketing oriented/ Paid campaigning, like PPC and SMM.
Listing & Credibility	Free listing of relevant keywords. Moreover, organic listing helps to gains credibility.	Paid list based on (pay per click). Its credibility is always questioned as it is not reliable.
Elements	On page optimization: Quality blog posts, formatting paging URLs, social sharing or your content, optimizing page load speed, etc. Off-page optimization: Creating high-quality natural links, social sharing signals, social bookmarking, etc.	Track conversation Managing budget Quality content Fine and unique keywords.
Visibility and conversion	It is always time consuming and continuous process.	Instant & fast process.
Cost	Relatively cheaper	Quite expensive.
Ranking	Unpredictable & changing	Predictable Instant top rank
Relationship	SEO is just a part of the SEM process	SEM is a broad term which means traffic generation and is a superset of SEO.
Traffic Volume	Easily controllable	Very much obscure
Search type	Natural	Paid
Advantages	Low cost, Trusted can target any terms.	Fast, Url not matter, Easily measurable.
Disadvantages	Slow process,  Can target any terms, Need well-made site, Harder to measure.	Ongoing expenses, not trusted by searchers,  ROI requires conversion.

Which one to use?

For, the purposes of online marketing both are equally important processes. However, if you don’t want to spend more money and ready to wait for at least six months and wants to enjoy search engine rankings for the longer duration of the time then SEO is certainly the best alternative for you.

However, if you don’t have time and passion to get the organic results and ready to send more bugs to anyhow to find in the search results, then SEM is the way to go for you.

In the end, we can say that it largely depends on the website and business that you want to increase. However, above all, it is depend on your budget and overall approach to your company.