Search Engine Marketing Definition

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) also known as keyword marketing is defined by Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization (SEMPO) as a combination of  Search Engine Optimization (SEO), paid placements, also known as Pay Per Click (PPC)  and paid inclusion.

definition of search engine marketing

It is a form of Internet Marketing that is used to improve the placement of a website in Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs).

As SEM has a high hit rate with a low cost per hit, it is the most popular form of internet marketing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process used to increase the number of visitors to a website by improving the ranking within a search engine. There are hundreds of different variables that have to be considered, strategically applied and monitored in order to influence rankings. The results of SEO on a page are seen as answers to a search as opposed to advertising on a page which is achieved by PPC

Pay per click (PPC) is the most common form of SEM. Website owners choose keywords and then bid an amount they are willing to pay for every click on that keyword – the higher the bid the higher the placement. PPC is slightly different for each search engine but the basics are the same. It is seen largely as advertising and has a much lower hit rate than organic searches achieved through SEO. PPC ads are often referred to as “sponsored links” or “sponsored ads”.

Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs) are pages listing the results of a particular keyword query. This is usually a list of web pages showing the titles, a link to the page, and a brief description of which  keywords have matched your search to the page. SERPs of major search engines usually include different types of listings: organic search listings, sponsored listings, images, maps, definitions, or suggested search refinements. The major search engines also offer different types of searches – i.e. image, news, and blog search.
These ads are called a "Sponsored link" or "sponsored ads" and appear next to, and sometimes, above the natural or organic results on search engine results pages.

Paid Inclusion is the system whereby a webmaster pays a search engine company to have their page included in a search index. Paid inclusion is provided by most search engines, but not Google.
The fee is usually payable annually and provides both a filter against superfluous submissions and a revenue generator. Some detractors of paid inclusion allege that it causes searches to return results based more on the economic standing of the interests of a web site, and less on the relevancy of that site to end-users.
Paid inclusion can be of value in cases where pages are dynamically generated and frequently modified. Paid inclusion could be viewed as a tool of search engine optimization, since it can be used to test different approaches to improving ranking, with the results often available in a couple of days, instead of weeks or months. This information can then be used to optimize other web pages.

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Testimonials


The following are a number of testimonials from satisfied clients. We are really pleased to receive these testimonials, and proudly list them here.

Thanks for the website Ian.
As you stated, I have had a steady stream of enquiries since setting me up on the internet.
Simon
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Morning Ian, just a short note to say 'thankyou' for the work on my website. Not only am I pleased with the way it looks, but I could not believe it when I got my first enquiry from it only a few days after its completion. All you said would happen has indeed happened.
Regards
Glenda
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Thank you very much for your kind help. It is really a good advice for my marketing plan.

Thanks and best regards,
Thi
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Hi Ian Just a short note to tell you we have had a very good season, an excellent sales increase so we should be ok now the autumn is here and going very soon into Winter.. . . . . . . . .
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Thanks Ian. The website has certainly increased our Bookings and we look forward to next year.
Best Wishes
Sue
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I am not really interested in getting back in to PPC as it cost a lot of money last time for not a lot of return. We have been without it for over a year and what you are doing is still increasing visits and turnover on the site.
Regards
AJ
Director
Sports Outlets
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Just a quick note to say I’m very interested in maintaining the website you have completed a marvellous job of so far. We are already noticing a complete change and receiving a lot higher internet inquires.
Thanks Ian
Marie
Director
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Hello Ian, came across your website via a Google search and wanted to say how impressed I am! The marketing plan template arrived within seconds of my request - it is clear, tremendously helpful and has provided me with the structure I desperately lacked as I prepare to kick off my new business on 1st September! A really super service, am sure I will be in touch again over the coming weeks to discuss other elements of your offer.

Thanks and regards
Sarah
Director
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....... I have also noticed the success of extra clicks! Business is also up by at least 15 percent from last year. Regards
Simon
Owner (Dry Cleaners)

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I would just like to bring a ray of sunshine to your day (well it did for me).
Since we started to work with Ian Smith, our Adwords guru, our results have improved impressively. These figures are the average across the board, ..
Our Click through rate has gone from 1% to a very credible 4.5%
Our average cost per click has dropped from 87p to 63p (just remember some clicks are still £2+).
Our average position has gone from 5.4 to 4.6
So all in all a very good result and with further input we hope to do even better.
Chris
Interior Design Retailer
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