Building a website is not enough if you really want to make sure that your business will succeed. There are a lot of things to consider. These four terminologies may be heard often especially if you are trying to level up tour business. Once you have your website up and running, you may need to find ways in order to promote your business. When you come across the Internet, you might be hearing these four terms. SEO, SMM, SMO, and SEM. But do you know what these terms really mean and how are they related to digital marketing? Some of you probably know what the other term means but in order to be more familiar with these jargons, let’s try to differentiate them so that we will know what each term corresponds.
SEO – Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization refers to the strategies used in order to increase the website’s appearance on the search engine results. Google may define SEO as improving a website’s presence but it more than that. When we talk about SEO, it is basically the process of improving the website’s visibility through search engines.
You would want to make your content unique, fresh and with quality, so you may want to work on your Search Engine Optimization. One way to boost Search Engine Optimization is through backlinks. But you have to take note that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves a lot of work and it happens naturally. If you will take the right steps in improving your presence online in organic search results, then your SEO will succeed.
SEM – Search Engine Marketing
Unlike SEO where one can earn traffic through free listings or unpaid, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is where one gains traffic through the use of paid listings. Basically, you pay in order to show your advertisements to users who are actually searching for the keywords that you are targeting.
With the help of SEM, you can significantly speed up the possibility of building your brand and your website if you really want to appear at the top of the searches but you have to pay, it can be through Bing Ads or Pay Per Click.
SMO – Social Media Optimization
In order to compete and to survive in the digital world, every business should be updated to the latest methods and technologies. Social Media Optimization is when you build profiles through the use of different social media platforms. This is where you make your profile more visible through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media networks.
It is important to take note that SMO is not just about creating profiles and a continuous optimization is required in order to maintain an online presence.
SMM – Social Media Marketing
Social Media Marketing does not definitely involve a search engine but it plays an important role in the exposure of the website and other online marketing efforts. Working through social media is comparatively cheap and will hold the promise of profitable growth if done correctly.
SMM is a way by letting people know about your business that is, of course, related to socialization. Sometimes, SMM may require payment in order to have an advertisement on social media, just like the Facebook ad.
As you can see, SEO, SEM, SMO, and SMM are important factors. We have defined each term and SEO and SMO are those you can implement by yourself and SEM and SMM may require a budget. All of the strategies can give results if done properly. The question now is which is right for you? Well, the answer will depend on your business goal but at least you have now an understanding of these terms. If not sure how to do it, you can always ask for help from a digital marketing expert.