Internet Marketing: Shifting Marketing Budgets

 SEMPO (Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization) recently conducted a poll and asked:

From which marketing/IT programs are you shifting budget away and moving it to search marketing programs?

Excellent question! Before you peek at their answer, do you have an answer for your business? 

SEMPO – Shifting Marketing Budget

 

 

 

 

Internet Marketing: Search Marketing Grows in Face of Downturn

Much of the news around the economy has been grim lately – everyone can admit this.  Just click here for the gory details.

12-Month DJIA Slide

However, in the midst of all this turmoil one area is thriving – Search Engine Advertising. 

SearchIgnite reported that search marketing spending grew 27% in the 3rd quarter of 2008; up from the same period last year. 

Search Engine Marekting Growth

Can newspapers, Yellow Pages, TV, radio or print come close to making the same claim?  You probably know the answer to this since it is likely that you are currently considering trimming these budgets back yourself. 

So what do you do with this information?  Get prepared and properly balance your marketing budget. 

1. Make sure your website is operating as it needs to be.  How do you know?  Ask two questions: a) What is your website conversion rate? b) Could it be better? 
2. Examine if your competitors (national or local) are making investments in their Online Marketing.
3. Create an online marketing plan that outlines how to: a) reach potentional customers and clients; b) engage customers and clients about your value proposition for them; c) convert visitors into sales or leads; d) retain these relationships for future marketing efforts. 
4. Execute on the easiest battles to win in your online marketing plan - and yes, that may be implementing or improving your search engine marketing.

Internet Marketing: Marketing in an Economic Downturn

Okay, so the economy may be slowing down a bit – at least that is what we are hearing from experts.

But your business has to keep growing. 

The first thing businesses typically cut in a downturn is the marketing budget.  For most businesses, that makes sense. 

But here is the key point: Cut the fat, not the muscle!

So what is the muscle?  Each business has its own muscle in the marketing budget, but an often overlooked option is Pay Per Click and Email Marketing.   

Each of these methods are shockingly efficient and cost effective – you can get started for less than your cable bill. 

Pay Per Click, done properly, does can offer immediate cash returns while collecting new paying customers.

While not as great for gaining new customers, Email Marketing is a superior tool for creating repeat customers. 

To find out more about more about either of these options please contact us.