SEO companies are still in great demand
June 24, 2009 by
Matthew
Filed under
SEO & Rank
It seems that the recession is not having a negative effect everywhere. The field of SEO appears to be hardly hit at all. Recent studies carried out within the field of search engine optimization in the UK show that demand has continued to accelerate right through the worst of the current downturn.
Demand for search engine optimization companies, as measured by the amount of keyword – orientated Internet searches, has almost doubled within the space of only two short years. This reliable indicator shows an 83% jump in the number of people searching for the services offered by these companies.
Whilst marketing expenditure in general has fallen significantly during the recession as companies feel a necessity to cut costs, they are increasingly turning to more prudent forms of marketing, involving the ability to track a return on investment. As most savvy Internet marketers know, a well-planned SEO campaign can generate significant dividends and its results can be clearly seen within specified time frames.
The level of demand has been met with a certain increase in supply, but it appears that there is considerable potential here for Internet marketing organizations and competent technicians to bring their solutions to the marketplace. As it appears that companies will wish to streamline their efficiency for the foreseeable future, it is likely that more and more will turn to productive forms of marketing like optimization. These services can be highly personalized, according to specific requirements, with strategic goals set according to the business aspirations of the client. There can be few initiatives more effective in time of recession than a results-orientated service such as SEO.
In particular, it appears that organic SEO is being seen as highly relevant. As more and more people come to understand the importance of search-based, targeted results, so the need for optimization increases. The modification of site architecture, combined with good Internet marketing initiatives, can propel an organization’s website and help to achieve the benchmarks set by senior management.
Does spending on SEO offer good value for money?
Matthew Toren
Hmm. I think I would have to question your statement about the recession having a negative effect everywhere, Matthew. 2009 is shaping up to be my best year ever and I have big hopes for 2010 as well. But one thing we can totakky agree on is, SEO is still sorely needed and smart, honest SEO work is out there for the taking … and I see only growth in this area. Many traditional companies are only starting to realize that the Web can be much more than just a brochur or vusiness card site, but can bring real money to the bototm line.
And judging by what I see in th rankings and SEO of many cororate web soites, alrge and small, done right SEO shold noit be a hard sell at all.
I think the largest obstacle a lot of people trying to get traction in the SEO business face are the three little letetrs SEO. Don’t try to sell “SEO”. The proppect either doesn’t know or is scared of the concept, or else they do know and want to argue and second guess every suggested change.
Position your self as web site progit enhancers and I think opportunities will open up more easily. After all, there is really no rason to do any sort of SEO … except for the fact it leads sirectly to profit … otherweise page 99 would be just as good as page one.
“Recent studies carried out within the field of search engine optimization in the UK”
Love the numbers. Please cite some sources…
I agree with Dave - the recession is not having a negative effect everywhere - there are many businesses (mine included) that are indeed having our best year ever - and growing more every day.
I’ve often found companies who only specialize in SEO to be puzzling. I’m not saying they are not good at what they do - I’m simply saying that selling SEO services as one’s core business hardly seems sustainable, especially as companies become more online savvy.
Companies that develop web marketing campaigns, IMO, should automatically be incorporating SEO into their campaigns, no? There are simple, smart techniques that anyone can use to be more effective when optimizing their sites. Anyone who knows anything about marketing and media should be able to provide this service to a high level.
There are SEO companies out there who are just out to rip people off and make a buck. I recently had a client tell me that an SEO company wanted to charge him $30,000 to optimize his mid-size site. That’s robbery, fair and square, as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately it’s these sorts of companies that are giving the honest, hard working SEO and marketing experts a bad name.
But perhaps I’m missing something - is there an added benefit to hiring an SEO company that I’m not aware of?
If you provide value you’ll not suffer from recession. If a seo company returns 10 times the investment, then everyone would buy from them.
I would guess that perhaps you would be seeing even more growth in SEO if the global economy was doing well. Just because a field is profitable doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be more so if people had more money to spend. In general, I think more and more brick and mortar businesses are beginning to find out about SEO (and weighing it versus paid advertising), thus the continued growth. Just my two cents.
I agree with your comments Oscar and NYCR. I think the growth has come mainly from companies ditching more costly marketing tactics for online ROI based marketing activities. We’re probably seeing more small businesses exploring SEO as a matter of survival. There is a ton of opportunity for these companies to improve their visibility on a local level.
Of course, more SEO should also result in additional work for HTML/CSS developers and web designers. Are you seeing demand in these areas as well or are companies just looking to improve their inbound links?
HTML/CSS developers are in increasing demand, but it’s easier to outsource them. There’s a increasing request for talented web designers though.
I think the largest obstacle a lot of people trying to get traction in the SEO business face are the three little letetrs SEO. Don’t try to sell “SEO”. The proppect either doesn’t know or is scared of the concept, or else they do know and want to argue and second guess every suggested change.