SEO vs. SEM

One of our suppliers specializes in search engine optimization. Another one specializes in search engine marketing. After playing 40 questions with each of them, I finally understand the difference. SEO involves making subtile changes in your website in order for it to show up sooner in free searches on Google, Yahoo, Ask, etc. SEM deals with paid search engine advertising – the sponsored links on the top and sides of the pages. Both SEO and SEM are important if you want to maximize your exposure on the web and especially crucial if you are operating an e-commerce site.