LAGUANA, NIGUEL: Increase Visibility, a leading search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing firm has discovered that more companies are seeking SEO/SEM advice to survive and prosper during this recession. Part of the reason for the increase in popularity of the services is due to online marketing being less expensive and much simpler to accomplish when compared to traditional forms of advertising such as television, print and display ads. Also, it's easier to track the results.

The Internet has evolved into the highest performing sales instrument and also offers prospects for growth during economic hard times. For businesses already on the web, redesigning websites is a relatively inexpensive, effective approach to expanding sales during a recession. Sometimes SEO experts replace a word or two or make a few modifications to a pay-per click ad or a landing page and the website is rewarded with substantial increases in traffic and sales.

The rankings of search engine optimization firms are especially important due to the vast number of new arrivals in the industry who don't have a track record of achieving first page search engine rankings.  

During a slow growth economy, marketing budgets are sometimes slashed, however some experts suggest that SEO services have held steady or have increased during this recession. Being cost effective and providing positive results are some of the primary reasons for the popularity of SEO. In addition, during economic hard times more shoppers will be staying at home and looking for a bargain online which increases the need for websites to be effectively optimized.

Cost effective for small businesses
Most small businesses will find it more cost effective to hire a professional SEO/SEM firm than to hire an in-house person. Small business owners can attempt to optimize their website by reading articles on the topic. However, Jim Lisi, president of Increase Visibility, stated, "Most of the SEO articles cover just the basics since SEO professionals simply won't offer their unique, successful strategies for free. These experts can't afford to loose their competitive advantages and dilute the effectiveness of their strategies, which will occur if everyone is using them."

With the increasing number of people losing their jobs, some of the laid-off workers who have no search engine optimization experience will be establishing home based SEO companies and calling themselves experts in the field. Website owners need to be prudent in selecting a SEO/SEM firm. Inquiries need to be made regarding skills, experience and proven results.

"The rankings of search engine optimization firms are especially important due to the vast number of new arrivals in the industry who don't have a track record of achieving first page search engine rankings," Lisi added.

Economic experts have recently claimed the United States has been in a recession for about a year. Each month during this recession, the unbiased TopSEO's.com interviews the clients of SEO firms and asks them to rate their overall experience with their search engine optimization company from 1 to 10. These monthly rankings indicate which SEO services providers have been declared successful by their clients during the ongoing recession.