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Utilizing search engine marketing SEM for your business

Writer's picture: Chidi OnyebuchukwuChidi Onyebuchukwu


What is search engine marketing

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a form of digital marketing that involves the promotion of websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) through paid advertising. SEM includes various tactics such as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, cost-per-impression (CPI) advertising, and paid inclusion.


The goal of SEM is to drive more traffic to a website by using targeted keywords and phrases to appear higher in the SERPs, which can lead to increased website visibility, brand awareness, and ultimately, conversions and sales.


General terms you need to understand

There are several key terms and concepts related to search engine marketing that are important to understand


Keywords

These are the words and phrases that users type into a search engine to find relevant information. SEM campaigns focus on selecting the right keywords to target in order to drive traffic to a website.


PPC:

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a form of SEM where advertisers pay a fee each time one of their ads is clicked. This is a popular method for driving targeted traffic to a website.

CPC:

Cost-per-click (CPC) is the amount an advertiser pays for each click on their ad.

Quality Score:

Quality Score is a metric used by search engines to determine the relevance and quality of an ad and landing page.

Ad Rank:

Ad Rank is the position of an ad on a search engine results page (SERP) determined by a combination of the advertiser's bid and ad quality.

Ad Groups:

Ad groups are a way to organize ads in a PPC campaign, they allow you to group different ads together that are targeting the same set of keywords

Landing page:

the webpage a user is directed to after clicking on an ad

Conversion:

A conversion is when a website visitor completes a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.

Analytics:

SEM campaigns typically use analytics tools to track and measure performance, such as website traffic, conversion rates, and ROI.


Why should you use it to drive sales to your business

There are several reasons why businesses should use search engine marketing (SEM) to drive sales:


Targeted Traffic:

SEM allows businesses to target specific keywords and phrases that are relevant to their products or services. This means that the traffic driven to their website is more likely to be interested in what they have to offer, increasing the chances of a sale.


Increased Visibility:

SEM campaigns can help to increase a business's visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), which can lead to increased brand awareness and ultimately more sales.


Measurable Results:

SEM campaigns can be easily tracked and measured using analytics tools, which allows businesses to see how well their campaigns are performing and make adjustments as needed to improve results.


Cost-effective:

SEM can be cost-effective if managed well, as businesses can set a budget for their campaigns and only pay when someone clicks on their ad.


Quick results:

SEM can generate quick results and drive a significant amount of traffic and sales in a short period of time.


Overall, SEM can be an effective way for businesses to drive sales by increasing visibility, targeting specific audiences, and providing measurable results.

How to do search engine marketing SEM

There are several options available for businesses looking to implement search engine marketing (SEM) campaigns


Digital Marketing Agency:

One option is to hire a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEM. These agencies have the expertise and experience to create and manage effective SEM campaigns, and can handle all aspects of the process from research and strategy to implementation and analysis.


In-house Team:

Another option is to train an in-house team to handle SEM. This allows businesses to have more control over their campaigns, but also requires a significant investment in terms of time and resources to train and manage the team.


Self-service Platforms:

There are also several self-service platforms available, such as Google Ads, Bing Ads, and Facebook Ads, which allow businesses to create and manage their own SEM campaigns with minimal technical expertise required.


Freelancers:

Hiring a freelancer can be a cost-effective option for businesses looking to implement SEM campaigns. Freelancers can provide a wide range of services, from keyword research to ad copywriting and campaign management.


Hybrid:

A combination of self-service platform and digital marketing agency is also possible. It's a good option for businesses that have some technical expertise but prefer to outsource some aspects of their campaigns, such as ad copywriting or account management.


Ultimately, the best option will depend on the specific needs and resources of a business. Each option has its own pros and cons, it's important for the business to evaluate and choose the best option for them.


Do you need a digital marketer? to do PPC


While it is possible for a business to create and manage their own PPC (Pay-per-click) campaigns, it can be a time-consuming and complex process that requires a significant investment in terms of time and resources. This is why many businesses choose to hire a digital marketer to handle their PPC campaigns.

A digital marketer will have the expertise and experience to create and manage effective PPC campaigns that drive targeted traffic to a website, while also monitoring and analyzing the results to make adjustments as needed. This allows the business to focus on their core competencies and running their business, rather than dedicating a significant amount of time and resources to PPC. I've helped several businesses with their PPC campaigns, for example, I worked with a local restaurant that was struggling to drive traffic to their website. I created and managed a PPC campaign that targeted specific keywords related to their menu items and location. As a result, their website traffic increased, and they saw a significant increase in sales. This allowed the owner to focus on running the restaurant, rather than worrying about driving traffic to their website.

In summary, hiring a digital marketer to handle PPC campaigns can save a business time and resources, while also driving targeted traffic and increasing sales. It's a win-win situation.


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