In past, SEM belongs to both Search Engine Optimization(SEO) and Paid Search. But nowadays, SEM is the synonyms to Paid Search only. SEM is sometimes referred to as CPC(Cost Per Click) or PPC(Pay Per Click) marketing because most of the search advertisements are sold on the basis of PPC.
PPC
In this method, the marketers only pay when their advertisements get clicked by users. You can see the paid advertisements on the top or right hand side of your search results(in the above pic) and commonly known as Sponsored Links.
Marketers need to bid for various keywords. PPC also includes Display Advertisements.
Why do you need SEM?
Paid Search is quickly replacing more traditional methods of marketing, because of its ability to target a wide audience at a cheaper cost. Television, paper, and radio ads can be expensive; however, paid search ads allow even the smallest businesses to reach a fairly wide audience to sell their products or services.
So in short we need SEM for the following reason:-
- Get First page exposure on top search engines.
- Cost Effective
- Measurable - This ads allows marketers a way to measure exactly what is working and what not.
- Highly targeted - You can target individual cities, regions and also targeting keywords.
- Increase the conversion rate of the online presence
- Can increase brand and Corporate awareness
Curious about How Paid search Marketing works? Click here
There are many websites through which you can advertise your page like Google Adwords, Microsoft Ascenter, Yahoo Advertising, Bid Advertiser etc. One of the best tools for SEM is GOOGLE ADWORDs.
Adwords is Google's online advertising platform which allows advertisers to place ads on Google Search and also on other networks that Google has.We can also post ads in YouTube, Google Maps, Shopping Ads, Mobile devices etc.
Click here to know more about Google Adwords
Job Opportunities in SEM
There are many job opportunities in SEM. You can join as SEM Specialists or SEM Strategists. They work on behalf of Organisation to develop marketing campaign for keywords which will attract traffic.
Resposibilities of SEM Specialists are:-
- Creation of campaigns for search and display network of major search engines.
- Thorough Keyword research and selection to expand campaigns through keyword addition.
- Negative keyword selection & implementation into campaigns & adgroups.
- Creation of AdTexts and optimization.
- Bid management in AdGroup and keyword level.
- Ongoing campaign optimization in all levels.
- Campaign Performance reporting and problem identification both through Google Analytics & Adwords.
- Suggestions for improvements and optimization based on performance data, new techniques research and competition monitoring.
- Assistance in link building strategy implementation.
- Keyword ranking monitoring.
Tips and tricks to Become a successful SEM