New Article - New Study Shows Lack of SEO for Manufacturers

[thejenn]

Full Text: http://www.searchengineguide.com/laycock/004675.html

Some Snippets:

"A new study released by Fathom SEO finds that the majority of manufacturer web sites miss the boat when it comes to even the most basic search optimization techniques. "

"While the study found that 85% of sites had enough copy on each page that the sites could actually be optimized, almost 75% of the sites didn't even have an effective title tag written for the home page. That number went up to 80% went Fathom SEO examined internal pages."

[obinstitute]

In my experience with manufacturing companies, many have websites only as resources for independent reps or distributors. They really aren't interested in attracting the general population. Maybe in this case SEO isn't an issue?

Michele

[thejenn]

Search Engine Marketing isn't about attracting the general population though, it's about attracting the right population.

A great example that I gave someone the other day...

A few years back, I was talking to a friend that's a well known optimizer in Europe. We were talking about how much fun it is to help "the little guy". He mentioned a client he'd taken on years prior and that he'd done a few hours worth of work for...charged him $500. Tiny site, maybe a dozen pages.

It ranked well for terms that almost no one searched for, because it was a high tech industry. However...a few months later, that company landed a multi-MILLION dollar contract because someone found them in the search engines and then gave them a call.

I think manufacturers overlook the *potential* of SEM. I'm not saying that it will work wonders for everyone, but I think it's a mistake to not even consider it and research the option.

[lchrzan]

Working with small and medium-sized manufacturers in southeastern Pennsylvania, I know this to be true, that the vast majority of these manufacturers are not utilizing there websites very well.

One a few are doing much with SEO and SEM. Most simply don't know what to do or how to do it. A further problem is that they don't know who to trust, and may have been burned by poor strategy, poor advice or poor developement.

On the other hand, this a great opportunity for a manufacturer to leapfrog their competitors with a good website and web marketing strategy. It's also a great market for ethical SEO services and good web developmers.

My projects with many Philadelphia-area companies have resulted in significant business results for my clients, making them stronger competitors and better web marketers. Which is exactly what my organization and my services are supposed to do!

[theengel]

I've had to deal with a few small manufacturers, and it's really a different kind of industry. Their whole marketing strategy is foreign to someone like myself, who deals mainly with small b2b and cunsumer targetted advertising.

I notice they're a lot like mailing equipment dealers. I don't know if any of you have ever had experiences with them...but it's definately a different breed.