Category: Internet Marketing

The State of Search

Posted on by Andrew

Search has never been bigger: 26.6 billion searches were conducted in June 2011 alone, which marked a 6% increase from June 2010. This mirrors overall search growth from 2010-2011, which is also at 6%. Search has been growing like crazy the last few years, and shows no sign of slowing down.

Search is Increasing

You may already be aware that people use search. You probably use search the same way your customers do. I mean, when was the last time you picked up the Yellowpages? Yeah, we don’t remember, either.

We know that search is growing, but online search spending is growing more than search is. In 2011, search marketing is expected to grow 20%, and is expected to almost double from 2010 to 2015.

Online Ad Spend

What does this mean for you and your business? It means you need to start an online campaign, fast. There are huge dollars being spent on online advertising, but you don’t have to spend big, you just have to do something. If you have a campaign already, you need to evaluate your strategy to get the most from all your advertising dollars.

Now that you see how important search is, stay tuned for next week’s post about using search and display ads to drive more traffic to your website.

UPDATE: Here is our post about search, display ads and retargeting: the trifecta of online advertising.

Images sourced from comScore

Did You Know?

Posted on by Dave Pavlu

A friend of mine just sent this to me.

Did you know? Is a great video on Youtube that gives a little perspective to the speed at which our world is changing.  Both videos have essentially the same information. Version 2 has a couple of updates and has very mellow music. I am up to my eyeballs designing killer digital ad campaigns right now but I will try and relate some of these facts to (local) business at some point in the future.  Enjoy.

Jacks You Up:

If you have young kids may tear you up:

It occurs to me that tear (tear from my eye) and tear (tear apart) are spelled the same way…   You choose.

Commitment

Posted on by Dave Pavlu

Napolean Hill Said it like this:

The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help.

He couldn’t be more right.  There are a lot of doors that could open for you. All you need to do is commit and make sure that you are there when the door does open.

Internet marketing is a door that has opened for  many businesses. It can open for you as well. You need to choose a company that will to serve your interests.  Then let that company go to work for you and make it happen.

ROI on Advertising

Posted on by Dave Pavlu
Photo credit: Belltown Messenger

Here is an interesting video blog post from a wine salesman. It has quite few ads in it. This video was recorded in October of 2008 – The Seattle PI died today. How many other types of media will crash and burn while small business tries to figure out how to advertise on the Internet. Watch this then call me and let’s develop a plan for you.

You Down With ROI?…Yeah You Know Me

1995 Called, They Want Their Marketing Plan Back

Posted on by Dave Pavlu
1995

Are you listening to the changing marketplace? People are connecting in different ways today. If you want to connect with more customers you need to adapt your marketing efforts accordingly.

The best way to connect with new customers is to understand what they want. They want to make meaningful connections using the Internet. Through opt-in newsletters and e-mail updates, blog posts, and social networking you give useful information to potential customers. They will respond to you through e-mail with questions and requests for more information. With this kind of dialog, you’ll earn the long-term business you’re looking for. Plus, you’ll leave a clear trail for additional customers to find you.

How many trails lead back to your business right now? What plans do you have in place to increase the number of these trails?

Internet marketing is not the only game in town, but it is amazing to see how many established businesses have no Internet game at all. You can jump in the game very easily. You could join a business-related networking site like Linkedin or Biznik. How about a social site like Facebook or MySpace? You can share your experience and knowledge on a forum, just be sure you leave a link to your site.

Basic Internet marketing doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. But you do need to lay the tracks if you want customers to be able to find you today.

SEO Requires Vision

Posted on by Dave Pavlu
SEO Requires Vision

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not a one-time event where a computer geek comes in and rewrites a few lines of code on your website, even though that may need to be done. SEO is more about content, relevance, vision and hard work.

SEO is simply the efforts put forth for organic search results in your market(s); it is the placement you can’t buy (luckily your competition can’t either). You have to earn it with a clear, long-term vision and daily, weekly, and monthly efforts. A solid optimization normally requires some “out of the box” thinking and implementation. The good news is that in today’s “local internet” it is infinitely easier to carve out a local niche, and claim first page results for your company.

Find the help you need to shape the vision necessary to slowly and consistently drive your business to the top of the pile for your market. Bring in a hired gun that sees more of the Internet than you do. You may want to consider a copywriter as well.

As you go along, you’ll find that leaving lots and lots of content on the Internet will help your company website find its way higher on the search engines.