Improve your web presence and get more patients with SEO and SEM

Does your head spin when you hear acronyms like SEO and SEM? It might seem like a foreign language. This is especially true when some people use search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) as interchangeable terms. However, there are important differences that help our healthcare marketing agency take your practice to the next level.

Exploring the differences between SEO and SEM

Our healthcare marketing agency deals with SEO and SEM every day. We find that it makes sense to explain their relationship to each other. Basically, SEO falls under the umbrella of SEM. They work together but are still distinct.

• SEO is how we get your website to rank high in the search engine results. More people will visit your website if it appears at or near the top of their search.
• SEM is internet marketing that increases your website’s visibility through organic efforts (SEO) and paid efforts like pay per click (PPC) ads and other advertisements.

Although SEO and SEM both involve internet marketing, there is an important difference. SEO is organic. You earn your place in the list of search results by creating high-quality content that meets Google’s ever-changing rules for SEO. In contrast, SEM includes SEO and elements of paid search like PPC ads.

Is one better than the other?

If SEO and SEM are different, you may be wondering if one is better? Our healthcare marketing agency uses both strategies because they have different benefits.

• SEO is organic, so its value increases over time. It might take longer to show results, but it costs less in the end. It can also give your website more credibility than paid advertising.
• The paid components of SEM like PPC ads can help boost your visibility. This is great when you want to get out special marketing messages. PPC ads can also help when you’re first launching your website and need immediate online visibility.

Catalyst Healthcare Marketing understands the ins and outs of SEO and SEM, and our team stays current on all the changes in the online marketing landscape. If you’re looking to step up your online presence and attract more patients, contact us. We can help you find marketing solutions that meet your unique goals and budget.