by Karim Sultan

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2009

The year 2009 brings renewed focus to search engine optimization (SEO), and effective SEO marketing. Unlike other marketing approaches, SEO marketing requires that the business have customers find it! With that in mind, here are five key resolutions for SEO marketing to consider in 2009.

1. Outrank the Competition

Make this the year that the business' organic placement is higher than the competitors. Although paid placements may insert higher in search results, campaigns are often short-term. A strong organic placement will ensure more web traffic to the business site. This results in reduced cost of lead acquisition, as well as potential for organic conversions.

2. Grab more Mind Share

Search engine optimization can help marketing create consumer awareness. It can also help establish brand. As visitors perform searches, they may see a combination of organic rankings, paid-for placements, and online ads that will reinforce the business as a market leader. Delayed impressions are often valuable this is when a visitor does not visit the business' site immediately, but recalls it at a later date.

3. Make an Impression

Launching an online ad campaign is an essential part of any SEO marketing plan. The goal should be to make as many impressions as possible. For every time the ad is seen - but not clicked, it results in a lost opportunity. Ensure the business has selected the correct combination of ad text and search keywords. Targeting a narrower market segment can often generate more leads than a broad one.

4. Track Results

How does one optimize without measuring results? What is the bounce rate (amount of time visitors spend on site)? Which search engines are routing the most traffic? How are the efforts to bring people to the site succeeding? Fortunately, with the myriad of tools and services available today, tracking results and fine-tuning accordingly can be done in very short order. Generating reports is a vital step in measuring search engine optimization effectiveness.

5. Convert Hard Earned Traffic

Once the SEO marketing efforts have been implemented, the website needs to be able to convert the generated leads. Quality leads are key; transient web visitors aren't interested in purchasing. Search engine optimization is a requisite to ensuring a higher percentage of quality leads. But never neglect website viability. Once the traffic has made it to the business website, the onus is on the business and its website to convert it to revenue.

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