Small businesses typically don?t have big marketing budgets, so they have to put their money where it counts the most. What works best for them? According to a recent survey, it?s search engine optimization, hands down.
Lead generation company MerchantCircle surveyed 2,500 small businesses in the United States. One of the top questions was: ?If you had to put all your marketing time and budget into only one channel, what would it be?? An overwhelming majority of 32.9% responded that they?d concentrate their efforts into SEO strategies.
The other choices in the survey included traditional media (19.7%), social media (16%), paid search advertising (9.8%), and mobile marketing and advertising (3.7%). The remaining 17.9% opted for none of the above.
Traditional Media: The Surprise Silver Choice
Whether it?s a case of old habits that die hard, or proof that the Internet hasn?t taken over everything just yet, the second most popular marketing channel used by small businesses is traditional media?radio and newspaper advertisements, yellow pages listings, direct mail, and the like.
Survey respondents detailed their preferences for traditional media marketing, with direct mail and newspapers coming out on top. It seems that print is still effective in drawing in local business.
Everyone ?Likes? Facebook
While SEO was the favorite for marketing channels, the survey results diverged for specific marketing tools. In response to the question, ?Are you promoting your business with the following websites/services??, an overwhelming 70% of respondents cited Facebook.
The survey specified using Facebook as social media, rather than buying Facebook ads. In this multiple-response question, Google was the second most popular tool with 55%, and the professionally geared LinkedIn garnered 52% for third. Yahoo! lingered at 36%, Twitter came in with 32%, and the dying MySpace received a 9% score.
The question featured 23 choices in all, with Bizzy the lowest at 1%.
SEO: Powers Small Businesses Across the Net
It?s clear that SEO strategies have powerful results, especially for businesses with limited marketing dollars that are competing with larger counterparts. In today?s increasingly global marketplace, small businesses can?t afford to ignore online marketing any longer?and SEO will help you go for the gold. Who are you going to Trust to get your business the #1 rankings you need to dominate your local service area or industry.
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Harvey B. Vaughn IIIAs CEO and chief seo strategist at Local Surge Media, the top SEO firm for #1 Google rankings in Austin, Texas, we are always on the leading edge of the cresting wave of change that is known as Google. We take the headache out of placing your site at #1!
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