Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a discipline that is often shrouded in confusion as traditional marketers and business owners are overwhelmed by industry jargon, false promises, unrealistic expectations and disgraceful service experiences that serve only to stigmatise the SEM industry.

It appears that within the SEM industry there lingers a distinct lack of street cred.

In the SEM industry, a handful of reputable providers set measurable expectations and deliver on promises made during convincing pre-sales discussions.  There is, however, an even larger host of businesses that serve only to discredit the industry, implementing ‘services’ not worthy of the tag. Their actions defame those SEM practitioners that genuinely strive to build their clients’ bottom line and set a benchmark for industry standards.

What is the future of SEM? How does one identify the fraudsters from the real deal? Where are the industry standards in SEM? What should each client ask an SEM firm before signing?

These are the types of questions this blog intends to tackle.

SEM Street Cred aspires to empower and educate the business owners who are either investigating SEM services or who currently find themselves in a service agreement that has left a sour taste in their mouth.

On the flip side, this blog will develop a strong case for the companies that are doing an exemplary job in building SEM credibility through the delivery of outstanding customer service. It is from this angle that we will discuss how clients need to develop rational expectations in the SEM process, as it is this expectations fallout that leaves disgruntled clients in even the most elite of agencies.

Finally, this blog aims to develop a strong case for industry standards, best practices and official certification, so as to flush out the scammers and cheating fiends, and develop an SEM industry recognisable at the top echelon of professional services.