Jennifer Horowitz is the Director of Marketing for EcomBuffet.com. Since 1998 Jennifer's expertise in marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has helped clients increase revenue. Jennifer has written a downloadable book on SEO and has been published in many SEO and marketing publications. Jennifer is the editor of the popular Spotlight on Success: SEO and Marketing newsletter. Follow Jennifer and stay current on SEO, marketing, social media and more. http://twitter.com/EcomBuffet
There are so many SEO myths out there; I decided to write a short series of articles debunking some of the common myths. This next one may come as a surprise - but it's true I hear it often!
SEO MYTH # 2: Search engines are not as valuable as other media.
It seems surprising that anyone could question the value of top rankings in today's Google centric world - but it does happen. Many people don't fully understand the impact of top rankings on their site. So, let's take a look at the truth and debunk this myth once and for all.
SEO TRUTH # 2: Search engines are the NUMBER ONE way people find what they are looking for on the internet.
"Top Ways Websites are Discovered - It's Not What You Think!"
Banner ads 1%
Targeted email 1.2%
TV spots 1.4%
"By accident" 2.1%
Magazine ads 4.4%
Word-of-mouth 20%
Random Surfing 20%
Search Engines 46%
An old article on the front page of USA Today (which means it really is big news) talked about why companies are willing to pay for SEO and correction of SEO Friendliness issues on their site. Keep in mind this was 4 years ago and it has only gotten bigger and more important since then.
"Companies pay because about 80% of Internet searches are performed with Google technology, says an online newsletter. That's 200 million searches a day, whether on Google or on affiliates such as America Online, Yahoo and CNN.com."
(Source: For Google, many retailers eagerly jump through hoops ; Jefferson Graham. USA TODAY. Feb 5, 2004. pg. A.01 )
So, now that you understand the importance of SEO, here are some things to consider when looking at various different marketing options:
1. What are my costs for direct mail, banner ads, print ads, booths at trade shows, etc? Compare that to your SEO costs.
2. Would it be worth $10-20 per day to my business to have every aspect of SEO taken care of by professionals who guarantee results? Can I really afford NOT to have this exposure in the engines that my competitors do?
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to ignore other forms of marketing - of course you should test, try out and use various marketing campaigns (the key is track the results so you know which ones to keep). However SEO should be your foundation, in addition to other marketing that you are doing.
SEO MYTH # 2: Search engines are not as valuable as other media.
It seems surprising that anyone could question the value of top rankings in today's Google centric world - but it does happen. Many people don't fully understand the impact of top rankings on their site. So, let's take a look at the truth and debunk this myth once and for all.
SEO TRUTH # 2: Search engines are the NUMBER ONE way people find what they are looking for on the internet.
"Top Ways Websites are Discovered - It's Not What You Think!"
Banner ads 1%
Targeted email 1.2%
TV spots 1.4%
"By accident" 2.1%
Magazine ads 4.4%
Word-of-mouth 20%
Random Surfing 20%
Search Engines 46%
An old article on the front page of USA Today (which means it really is big news) talked about why companies are willing to pay for SEO and correction of SEO Friendliness issues on their site. Keep in mind this was 4 years ago and it has only gotten bigger and more important since then.
"Companies pay because about 80% of Internet searches are performed with Google technology, says an online newsletter. That's 200 million searches a day, whether on Google or on affiliates such as America Online, Yahoo and CNN.com."
(Source: For Google, many retailers eagerly jump through hoops ; Jefferson Graham. USA TODAY. Feb 5, 2004. pg. A.01 )
So, now that you understand the importance of SEO, here are some things to consider when looking at various different marketing options:
1. What are my costs for direct mail, banner ads, print ads, booths at trade shows, etc? Compare that to your SEO costs.
2. Would it be worth $10-20 per day to my business to have every aspect of SEO taken care of by professionals who guarantee results? Can I really afford NOT to have this exposure in the engines that my competitors do?
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to ignore other forms of marketing - of course you should test, try out and use various marketing campaigns (the key is track the results so you know which ones to keep). However SEO should be your foundation, in addition to other marketing that you are doing.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Basics of Search Engine Optimization (seo)
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - An Overview
- Simple Search Engine Optimization - SEO Tips for Google, Yahoo and Msn
- Search Engine Optimization SEO
- Natural Search Engine Optimization (seo)
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Why Search Engine Optimization (Seo) Services From India Are A Craze?
- Search Engine Optimization (seo)
Five Common Mistakes By Internet Business Owners
By: Mona Abdulla | 06/07/2009I know that I better be positive on this more than being negative, however, I know from experience that some time we do things that badly affect our Internet business without even realizing that.
Can You Really Work Online And Make Money Quick?
By: Paul Jesse | 06/07/2009The most frequently asked question on the internet is whether or not it is possible to work online and make money quick. The answer to this question is a resounding yes and no. It depends on what you get into and how much money you are looking to make.
A Brief Guide To Making Money From Home Online
By: Matt Helphrey | 06/07/2009Here's a short step-by-step process that anyone can use and follow to make money from home online. People are using these steps to create a part-time or full-time income and so can you!
Getting Targeted Traffic From Yahoo Answers
By: Cliff Posey Jr | 06/07/2009Getting targeted traffic to your website doesn't have to cost a bomb. There are a lot of strategies that you can use to start driving potential customers to your site and blog. Posting on Yahoo Answers can be a good way to build interest to your blog if it's done...
Tough Times - Can You Still Make A Profit Selling On eBay?
By: Amanda O'Brien | 06/07/2009Doom and gloom is all around us! So, it is not really surprising that people are questioning whether sites such as eBay are struggling too. The big question being, is eBay still the place to start a home business and make it successful? A resounding YES.
Advice on Performing Online Background Checks -
By: Geeta | 06/07/2009Several popular websites are available for background checks online. A few of the most popular are E-Background Check, U.S. Search, Net Detective Plus and Best People Search. These websites offer a variety of levels of investigation, depending upon the employer’s needs. Some of the information gathered is instant, however for more detailed reports, employers should expect a wait from anywhere between 1 and 7 days.
Web Applications Getting Customized
By: Shefali Dhamija | 06/07/2009Smart web applications need quality web development tools, custom made to suit your every single need. Web application development is highly competitive and only tested platforms can ensure an entrepreneur’s online success and growth.
Two Things to Concern When Purchasing Wedding Gown from Bridal Store
By: Simeon Stevek | 06/07/2009Are you planning the wedding party at the present time? Do you think that wedding plan and preparation come with lots of confusion to carry out? Not really. Today, would-be married spouse can always set up best their wedding preparation with the help of internet access.
Marketing With Newsletters
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 27/01/2009 | InternetNewsletters help establish your credibility, keep you top of mind for your prospects and allow you to make special offers to your list. Please note a paid newsletter needs to be informative and doesn't always offer the same sales opportunities. However a freebie newsletter can have ads, special offers and promotions and more.
Social Media Mistakes
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 26/01/2009 | InternetWith so much talk about social media these days, everyone is jumping on board and trying it out. We are seeing some common mistakes out there and I thought it was important to address these mistakes to help eradicate them in the future.
Bloggers Checklist
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 25/01/2009 | InternetBelow are some of the crucial items you should have on your Blog. Take a look at this list and your Blog and see how you measure up. I can tell you that I did it myself and I had to create an action plan to fix my own Blog.
Marketing in a Poor Economy
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 11/01/2009 | InternetWhat you need to know is that people tend to shop differently in a poor economy. They research more, they comparison shop more and they look for more value for the money they spend.
The Evolution (not Death) of SEO
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 22/11/2008 | InternetRemember we all want to get our message out there and have our voices heard and one way to do that is to make a dramatic statement. So that is what you are seeing. The truth is SEO is not dead - it is just evolving. And the other truth is.... the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Blogger, Wordpress, Sub-domain, Sub-directory, New Domain - Oh My!!
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 17/10/2008 | InternetWhen it comes to setting up your Blog, there are many options and it's enough to drive you crazy. Here is some information for each option...
Just Because You Don't Want to Hear It, Doesn't Mean it Isn't True
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 07/10/2008 | InternetThis article may not make me real popular with many site owners, but it is the honest truth. So many people want top rankings but they aren't truly prepared to do what it takes to get those top rankings.
Has Your Site Been Banned From Google?
By: Jennifer Horowitz | 07/10/2008 | InternetDoes Google Forgive? Forget the Sandbox - when you are in the doghouse, will Google ever "forgive" you and release your site back into the SERPs (search engine results pages)?