Simply put, SEO is “search engine optimization.” Essentially, SEO aims to improve a site’s ranking in search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! So, if you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what is SEO and online marketing, how they differ, and which one to focus on.

The short answer: both. You should consider SEO and online marketing to be vital parts of your strategy, especially as they relate to driving organic traffic to your site.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the basic differences between SEO and online marketing, as well as give you some concrete ideas on how to use each one effectively. Let’s dive in.

SEO vs. Online Marketing

You may have heard the term SEO thrown around a bit over the last few years, but you’re probably not sure exactly what it means. SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization, so you’re optimizing your web content or your site for (you guessed it) SEO.

The reality is that SEO and online marketing are quite similar. Both aim to enhance a site’s visibility in search engines by employing various methods to improve the ranking of the site. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Key Differences Between SEO and Online Marketing

Let’s discuss some of the major differences between SEO and online marketing.

Keyword Density

One of the most important differences between SEO and online marketing is keyword density. In simple terms, you want to avoid going over the 3% to 4% maximum allowed keyword density in your content.

If you’re writing an article for an online marketing blog, you may want to include some key words in the content. However, you should not stuff your keywords in the article; you should use natural language and vary your use of keywords throughout the content. For example, “SEO tips for beginners,” “keyword research for bloggers,” or “the differences between video and virtual reality marketing.”

When you stuff keywords in your content, the search engines don’t know what the keywords mean and treat the entire content as gibberish. This makes your content harder for the engines to rank, read, and understand.

User Experience (UX)

Another important difference between SEO and online marketing is the user experience (UX). Put simply, the UX of your site or web content determines how easily a user can navigate your site or content and find what they’re looking for.

In general, you want your website’s UX to be as streamlined as possible. This means that you should avoid using complicated layouts and designs that may be difficult for visitors to navigate. Instead, use simple layouts that are easy to understand and follow.

On the subject of following navigation, you should put yourself in your user’s shoes for a moment. Imagine that you’re a first-time visitor to your site or an existing customer looking for an important piece of information. How would you find what you’re looking for?

You can use several tools to test and improve the usability of your site. One of the simplest and most effective tools is simply human testing. Get some friends and family members to test out your site and give you their honest opinion. You can also use UX testers from UserTesting.com to ensure that your site’s content is easy to follow.

Content

Similar to UX, the content of your site or web content is also important. When users arrive at your site, you want to make sure that their experience is enjoyable and that they have everything they need or want. You can put various metrics through the roof with the right content, including increased average time on site, increased purchase rate, and increased revenue.

In addition to enjoyable content, you also want to ensure that your web content is high-quality. This means that you should use a grammar checker, run-of-the-mill plagiarism checker, and perform an advanced Google search to ensure that your information is accurate and easy to find.

Why Should You Use Both SEO and Online Marketing?

The truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to SEO and online marketing. The key is to understand your audience’s needs and what tactics will be effective for boosting your site’s visibility in search engines.

As a digital marketer and SEO maven, Ann Winfree of SEO Strategy Plus cautions against specializing in either SEO or online marketing. According to Winfree, the key to effective SEO and online marketing is a combination of the two. She notes that while SEO focuses on boosting a site’s rankings in search engines, online marketing entails attracting people to your site through various types of digital marketing.

As SEO and online marketing continue to evolve and multiply, it’s essential that marketers and digital marketeers stay abreast of the latest trends and tactics.