Here is an infographic on SEM vs. SEO, covering the top pros and cons of both SEO and SEM (also known as paid search)!
SEM vs. SEO infographic: Differences, Pros and Cons
SEO:
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a webpage to rank organically on search engines (ideally Google, due to its significant market share). The primary goal is to secure a position in the top 3 search results, as approximately 60% of clicks go to these top 3 results.
- Pro: SEO is a long-term investment that builds sustainable assets over time.
- Pro: It continues to generate leads, even during periods of inactivity.
- Con: SEO takes time to show results, often requiring months to rank on the first page.
- Con: It requires consistent effort and updates to maintain rankings.
SEM:
Search engine marketing (SEM) is a strategy to drive traffic to your website through paid search engine ads. Unlike SEO, which focuses on organic rankings, SEM involves bidding on keywords to appear in sponsored search results.
- Pro: SEM offers quick wins by driving traffic almost immediately after your campaign goes live.
- Pro: It provides instant visibility, making it ideal for short-term goals.
- Con: SEM can be costly, with high per-click costs, especially for competitive keywords.
- Con: Once your budget runs out, the traffic stops, offering no long-term benefit.
You can contact me if you want to get this infographic in any other format or with changes.