Mediarun Search Marketing News

Are SMEs still missing the website optimisation boat?

August 27th 2010

Search Engine Optimisation News

There has been a lot of research recently suggesting that small and medium-sized enterprises are failing to capitalise on the benefits of search engine optimisation. Despite the huge and obvious benefits of website optimisation, figures from a whole raft of sources have highlighted a distinct lack of SME engagement with search engine marketing.

But the figures might not be as drastic as they first appear.

Thomson Local published research claiming that the majority of SMEs have little or no search engine optimisation strategies in place. But new research from BIA/Kelsey and LookSmart has shown that more SMEs than ever before are adopting search engine marketing.

The firm claims that more than half of businesses invest more in website optimisation than they do in traditional marketing channels. Moreover, SMEs with a lower marketing budget look to search engine optimisation as their first port of call because it offers good value and a clear return-on-investment.

So the scare stories are seemingly unwarranted - especially considering we've just been through the worst economic downturn in a generation and marketing budgets are under constant review.

Having said that, there must be reasons why a certain number of firms are not consulting an SEO agency on potentially beneficial website optimisation strategies.

According to Fresh Business Thinking, one of the main reasons SMEs fail to take advantage of organic search engine optimisation is because they lack the experience and technical knowledge to implement a serious, long-term campaign.

"Many SME's do not have the ability, or the available skilled resource to make the changes recommended by an SEO provider," the website claimed.

It added: "Those that put in the effort to learn how to make changes, often find it refreshingly easy, but in most cases, in the face of HTML code or complex CRM systems the SME will give in, or simply not have the time to give it a go."

If this is the case, the solution is clear. Businesses need to be offered a more integrated, hands-on approach to website optimisation. It seems that SEO agencies simply have to engage SMEs more when it comes to search engine marketing, as the latent demand is already there.

To find out about the SEO solution we can offer you and your business, speak to one of our consultants on 0207 843 2265 or contact us.