EngineWorks

Since you’re reading this blog, it’s a pretty good bet that you grasp that the tremendous ability of search marketing to drive eager customers to Web sites is why eMarketer is predicting that online marketers will increase the total amount spent on search to $19 billion in 2012, up from almost $10.4 billion this year.

The following chart provides a breakdown of the projected annual performance of the seven major forms of online marketing over the next four years, as reported by eMarketer today in an article titled ‘Search Popularity Draws Ad Dollars’.

However, the most compelling statement from this article is by David Hallerman, senior analyst at eMarketer, who makes the claim that the current economic slowdown could actually be good for search marketers!

Here’s his reasoning:

“Reduced revenues due to the economy will entice some marketers to not only increase their paid search programs, but also potentially to bid higher for core keywords that give good results,” Mr. Hallerman said. “Furthermore, with money tight, many consumers will look to the Internet—and their favorite search engines—to find bargains.”

Now is the time for search marketing professionals to convey to online businesses that the best investment they can make with their marketing dollars is in proven search marketing campaigns that deliver real, measurable results.