Pay-per-click advertising: A paid search approach to SEO that lets you buy ads on search engines. Usually used in conjunction with organic SEO

Search engine marketing (SEM): A blanket term for paid and organic search optimization methods

SEO is about attracting quality leads and buyers ready to make a purchase. Here are six tips for getting the most out of an SEO initiative, according to SEO expert Steve Wiideman:

1. Start early. It can take up to six months for competitive search terms to see results through Google.

2. Content really is king. Make a list of the top 20 search keywords relevant to your business and create content that's thematically linked with those terms.