I recently came across some information that should be of interest to all solo Internet business owners.
It was entitled: "Search Engine Marketing: Search Users and Usage"
It was authored by David Hallerman, Senior Analyst at eMarketer. I would encourage you to get the whole report and study it. I hope the link is still live when you read this. Here it is:
http://www.emarketer.com/Products/Products.aspx
I was especially intrigued with the satisfaction survey that was offered as it gives you a feel for how users or consumers view the major search engines as well as the field of Internet marketing and advertising.
You should be able to gain your own "take aways" from what the articles describes.
The survey was completed in June 2004 and was administered to adult (16+) Internet users.
Here are the major findings that I thought were significant:
- "Couldn't live without the Internet search engines": 32%
- "Like using Internet search engines, but could go back to other ways": 50%
- "Wouldn't really miss Internet search engines if they could no longer use them": 17%
- "Don't know or refused to answer": 1%
- "U.S. Internet users who have had a "Strongly Positive" experience with select search engine sites (2004) as a percent of respondents:
- Google: 89%
- Yahoo!: 68%
- Ask Jeeves: 50%
- Lycos: 48%
- MSN: 41%
Here is some additional information about advertising and marketing: "U.S. consumers' attitudes regarding marketing and advertising, Feb. 2004, as a percentage of respondents"
- Are interested in products and services that would help them skip or block marketing: 69%
- Think there should be limits or regulations on marketing and advertising: 65%
- Feel constantly bombarded with too much marketing and advertising: 65%
- Are concerned about practices and motives or marketers and advertisers: 64%
- Feel the amount of marketing and advertising is out of control: 61%
- Feel that marketers and advertisers don't treat consumers with respect: 61%
- Have a much more negative opinion of marketing and advertising now than they did a few years ago: 60%
- Feel that most marketing and advertising has very little relevance to them: 59%
- Spam has turned them off to all forms of marketing and advertising: 53%
- Marketing and advertising does not help them shop better: 53%
- The shopping experience is less enjoyable because of pressure to buy: 36%
- Would be willing to have a slightly lower standard of living to live in a society without marketing and advertising: 33%
Knowing how consumers perceive (whether true or not) Internet marketing should have a profound effect upon you, Mr. Internet business owner (who is always a marketer and advertiser whether you like it or not).
So how do your clients and prospects feel about your marketing? Why don't you ask them!
