Over the past few years, online or internet marketing has gained an unprecedented popularity. Loosely speaking, making a website for a business is more like making a banner for a shop which needs to be placed conspicuously so that most of the people could see and know about the shop. Businesses require websites capable of generating more leads and, consequently, more revenue.
What is search engine marketing?
Search engine marketing is about promoting a website by enhancing its presence in search engine results pages (SERPs). Nowadays you cannot simply develop a website with ill-organised and outdated content. It would hardly be of any use.
Can your business be easily found on the internet? If not, you need to spend some time reforming or rewriting the content of your website and making it more relevant in terms of search engines. It is inevitable in a highly competitive environment where you have to do the best in order to be on the top in SERPs.
Here are the 7 key concepts of SEM or search engine marketing you should be aware of.
1. Understanding search engines
Search engines play a pivotal role in making an online business successful. Therefore, you have to develop an understanding how search engines rank a website. Online marketers also have to consider the fact that search engines continuously change their trends. One thing work today does not necessarily work tomorrow. So it is important to follow the trends and make changes accordingly.
2. Keyword selection
The incorporation of keywords is an important concept when it comes to optimizing a website. It is also called content optimization. A keyword is something we type in the search box in order to access desired information. If your website is not fully optimized for keywords, you will probably lose the race. Further, you have to understand what phrases your customers are typing in search boxes while looking for the products and services that you offer.
3. Selection of a URL
Be careful while creating a URL. Search engine friendly URL’s are of great help in the process of optimizing a website. Include words in a URL which best represents your products and services, especially when you are running an online store and your business is largely depends on the website.
4. Organic results and Pay-per-click (PPC)
Pay-per-click and organic search results are the two ways you can effectively use to put your online presence in a decent position. PPC allows you to pay search engines for displaying your ads. On the other hand, organic results are to influence the way search engines rank websites.
5. Back-links
Back-links play a crucial role in improving the repute of your website. It is when other websites endorse your website. However, it is important that your website gets endorsements from reputable websites. Search engines pay close attention to backlinks. Therefore, make sure that you have quality content on your website.
6. Use of Google tools
Coupons, Analytics, Sitemaps and Product Research are some of the important tools that you can use to monitor the performance of your website and get valuable information. Moreover, you can list your online business with search engines.
There is no denying the fact that the success of your business depends greatly on how you promote and present your business to the online world. Search engine marketing is surely a great way to stay relevant in the competition.