Differences Between An Internet Marketing Service And SEO

Defining The Many Online Marketing Terms

There are so many different terms that communicate marketing on the web - from online and internet marketing to search engine optimisation. This can all become very confusing for an individual that is not well acquainted with the industry. So, what are the differences between an internet marketing service and SEO?

I am going to first explain what I believe the two terms to mean - feel free to comment below if you have any differing ideas;

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) - the practice of improving a websites search engine rankings. With the aim of ensuring that the business holds position one on page one, for their chosen key phrases.

Internet Marketing - an umbrella term that encompasses a range of practices related to improving a business's presence online. This could include e-mail marketing, social media and other such techniques.

Although not entirely comprehensive, I think that these short explanations communicate the main differences - SEO is focussed upon having a presence within the search engines whilst internet marketing is related to appearing across the web as a whole.

Just some of the techniques that an SEO consultant may use include article marketing, press release writing and distribution, directory submissions and link building. Whereas an individual that is offering an internet marketing service may offer search engine optimisation, plus e-mail marketing and social media marketing.

Essentially, internet marketing ensures that a business covers all of its bases online. This is extremely important as making a profit is the most important outcome for a business owner. By investing in combined SEO and internet marketing, businesses can ensure that they have a presence in the search engines, in their clients' inboxes and on their networking profiles.

Of course, many companies that would traditionally just offer SEO understand this and have developed somewhat over recent years. Many now combine SEO with the above internet marketing services.

What would you consider to be the main differences between an internet marketing service and SEO? Do you think that having a presence elsewhere on the web is as important as featuring highly in the search engines?