Study Shows Traits Of A Great Search Marketing Company

More than 100% ROI. 31% increase in brand awareness. 30% increase in web site traffic. 22% increase in online conversion rates.

Does your search marketing agency hit those milestones? If so, you’re a “best in class” company according to a new Aberdeen Group study, What Does it Take to Create Best-In-Class Search Engine Marketing?

Aberdeen surveyed more than 200 companies with formal search marketing initiatives in place, gathering information on their strategies, experiences, and results. According to the survey, the top companies achieve these results:

  • 108.24% current return on marketing investment
  • 30.93% year-over-year change in brand awareness
  • 29.78% year-over-year change in web site traffic
  • 21.6% year-over-year change in web conversion rate

The survey also found some common characteristics among the top companies in terms of services and capabilities:

  • 79% provide access to real-time and near real-time analytics
  • 74% provide ability to adjust SEM initiatives in or near real-time
  • 73% utilize campaign management technology

Best-in-class companies have had a formal search marketing initiative (defined in the survey as organic, paid, and/or paid inclusion) in place for 34 months. One interesting budget-related stat from the survey is that best-in-class companies allocate 27% of their overall marketing budget to SEM, while the other companies surveyed only allocate 13% of their budgets to SEM.

The survey was sponsored by Covario, HubSpot, and iProspect, and can be downloaded from the Aberdeen Group’s web site (registration required).

Related Topics: Search Marketing: General | SEM Industry: General | SEM Industry: Stats


About The Author: is Search Engine Land's Executive News Editor, responsible for overseeing our daily news coverage. His news career includes time spent in TV, radio, and print journalism. His web career continues to include a small number of SEO and social media consulting clients, as well as regular speaking engagements at marketing events around the U.S. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee and/or on Google Plus.


SMX - Search Marketing Expo

SearchCap: Get all the top search stories emailed each day!

Name: Company: Email:

Like This Story? Please Share!

Other ways to share:

Like Our Site? Follow Us!

Search Engine Land on Google+

LinkedIn over 34,000 members
Subscribe to Our Feed! 80,520 subscribers take our RSS feed
 

Comments are closed.

Get Our News, Everywhere!

 
  • Advertise With Us
 

Click to watch SMX conference video

Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.

SMX Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


 

Search Engine Land Periodic Table of SEO Ranking Factors

Get Your Copy
Read The Full SEO Guide