Smart Marketing Strategies in a Tough Economy

12-12-2008

Just because the country is officially in a recession doesn't mean your business has to participate -we know we're not!  Believe us, as a "dot com" company based in Northeast Ohio, an area that has been feeling the economic pinch for years, we know how to survive and thrive in a tough business climate. TKG has defied all conventional wisdom to have stayed in business and even grown (a lot!) over the last 10 years.

When times are lean, it's natural to scrutinize where each and every dollar is going. That's why we'd like to share some thoughts on what you can do to make the most of your marketing dollars during the current crunch.

Online marketing, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in particular, is an incredibly cost-effective way to market your business/website online. Unlike the Yellow Pages which lock you into advertising in one specific city/area, or TV/Radio which is terribly expensive, Search Engine Optimization allows you to market locally, regionally, and even nationally for a fraction of what it would cost you in those other mediums.

Don't just take our word for it - listen to what Gerry Ortman at Canton Aluminum has to say about his local SEO campaign and what it's done for his business.

SEO helps in a couple of ways. First, it helps your site gain visibility in the Search Engines. It's our goal at TKG to get your business in the top five search results for your best keywords and phrases. Second, and even better, SEO drives targeted online traffic to your website - traffic that wants what your business has to offer. That's because SEO is based on a list of keyphrases designed to drive qualified and unique customers to your site.

Some stats to keep in mind:

• 81% of all internet users find the sites they are looking for through the search engines (Jupiter Research)
• 80% find what they are looking for within the first three pages (Forrester Research)
• The average lead from Search Engine Optimization is only $0.29. (Entrepreneur Magazine)
  
  

"We've been preaching for years that Search Engine Optimization is an incredibly economical and effective way to market your business," said Jennifer Geh, Web Marketing Manager for TKG."It's even more so when marketing budgets are tight."

"I'd say that SEO stands alone in terms of cost vs. results. Besides the fact that SEO generates targeted customers to your site, it can open your business up to markets that the Yellow Pages, TV and Radio just can't. It's definitely not a place to cut back on if you are already doing it."

The current business climate gives you an excellent opportunity to increase your marketing presence while your competitors stand still or pull back. Any marketing efforts started now will not only keep you competitive during the tough times, but will give you a head start at landing a lion's share of the new business as things pick back up.

Want to learn more about how SEO can benefit your business? Contact a TKG Sales Rep at 800.310.0317 or 330.493.6141 to find out more.