According to a recent study by BIAKelsey, a research company specializing in the local advertising marketplace, a large majority of higher-spending small and medium-sized businesses are making search marketing a top priority.
Also known as SMB Plus Spenders, this group spends at least $25k annually on advertising and marketing efforts. Additionally and in the context of this survey, search marketing includes search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click advertising.
Of the 246 Plus Spenders polled, 60 percent agreed that search marketing will be an extremely or very high priority over the next year. Other marketing initiatives deemed important by respondents follow:
- Email marketing – 53.7 percent
- Print advertising – 53.3 percent
- Analytics/measurement – 51.6 percent
- Video – 40.2 percent
- Discounts, deals and promotions – 38.2 percent
Additionally, more than 20 percent of respondents reported using pay-per-click advertising over the course of 2014 compared to 19.6 percent who said they used it in 2013.
References:
“Top Priority For Higher-Spending SMBs? Search Marketing”. Marketingcharts.com. 11/10/2014.
“Search Engine Marketing Top Priority for Majority of Higher-Spending SMBs”. Biakelsey.com. 11/5/2014.
