How do high search engine listings compare to banner ads?
A study conducted in January 2001 by NPD Group, a research group specializing in consumer purchasing and behavior, tested the impact of search listings, banner ads, and tiles across a variety of sites to determine which was most effective. In every situation, search engine listings came out on top. Results? Consumers are 5 times more likely to purchase your products or services after finding your web site through a search engine vs. through a banner ad: How Internet User’s find the websites they want: Search engines 84.8% (GVU Users Survey) Banner ads 1.0% (Target Marketing Magazine) Targeted email 1.2% (Target Marketing Magazine) From a marketing perspective, search engine positioning can generate a better Return Of Investment than conventional forms of marketing such as direct mail, print ads and trade shows. The quality of these leads are incredibly high as these are people who are specifically interested in your products or services. Having a top ranking in major search engines for
