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SEM SEO PPC

What is Search Marketing?

To effectively explain what search marketing is it is best to first understand what Search Engine optimization is about.

The winter of 1998 the ecommerce business and the internet went through a gigantic growth spurt. Ecommerce and various other websites began to sprout up all over. In the beginning it used to be that if you build it, they would come. But as the internet became saturated, website owners found that they had to promote their websites. Banner, and other types of advertising was expensive, and as pop ups came into the picture; people started turning the other cheek when they saw any type of advertisement.

In came Google with their innovative way of becoming the "most comprehensive search engine" on the World Wide Web. Google took the usual techniques of searching through the millions of websites located on the internet, and narrowed their search by ranking the websites based on how many votes each website received from other websites.

Search Engine Optimization has taken a turn to become not only a competitive, market, but those involved in Search marketing are those who consistently study search engines and how they work. Each individual website is studied, the industry is researched, and the customer is understood in order to not only get rankings, but to drive quality traffic to each and every client's website.

Why can't I just learn how to optimize my website myself?

You could optimize your website yourself. There is an abundance of information on the internet. Some colleges and trade schools are even offering classes on SEO. But who has time? SEO doesn't just stop with throwing some meta tags in your code, and making sure your keywords are in your website. It's much more than that. Not to mention that the internet is consistently changing, and growing.

A search engine optimizer that works with a Search Marketing firm doesn't just get you results. The optimization process comes not only from years of experience, and an understanding of website development pieced with a comprehensive understanding of search engine optimization, but also through a marketing perspective. An SEO technician does this for a living. While you may be a doctor full time, or a real estate agent, or even a lawyer, do you expect a web developer to be able to sell a house? What about a grocery store owner trying to perform surgery? There is a reason why SEO Technician's are good at what they do. They live and breathe SEO on a regular basis.

• It's about finding the right keywords, combined with the structure, and content found within the website.
• It's about staying ahead of new technologies, and maintaining a clear understanding of how the internet, and how websites are found.
• It's about understanding your audience, and bringing those who need your services to you.
• It's about thinking outside of the box, and presenting you with ideas, as well as listening to your input as well.

Why should I pay for Search Marketing, when search engines are free?

Search Marketing is just that, it's marketing.

McDonald's spends roughly $80-$90 million dollars on advertising each year.

Coca Cola spent roughly $2 million on media advertising alone in 2004

A placement for a basic advertisement in your local yellow pages can run anywhere from $500 on up to over a thousand every 6 months.

Search Marketing is usually an initial fee, with a basic maintenance fee.

These fees should cover a plethora of work to optimize your website in the beginning along with continued support, and reworking of your optimization as needed.

Talk to your Search Marketing Company about their services, as well as what their fees cover. Don't forget to get it all in writing.