Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Two Key Rules for B2B SEO

"White hat search engine optimization (SEO) principles that apply to B2B online marketing also apply to B2C, but B2B is otherwise a different animal," writes Nick Stamoulis in an article at MarketingProfs.

In other words, SEO is simply not the same strategy for B2B as it is for B2C. And to get the most from your B2B SEO, you'll need to:
Understand your sales cycle. "SEO is a long-term effort," Stamoulis says. "If it takes six months to ramp up your SEO program, you have to wait that long, plus your sales cycle time, to be able to determine ROI." Without knowing the right timeframe, you might end up killing an SEO program before you have the chance to measure its success; be patient.

Mix up your keywords. Potential B2B customers will search for a variety of terms, so optimize for each of these categories:
  • Branded. Some of customers will search for specific model names, spec sheets and instructions; be sure your branded terms rank well.
  • Nonbranded. "These are the highly searched, competitive, and relevant keywords that someone who has never heard of your company can use as a search perimeter and still find your company," he explains.
  • Demand Generation. Don't forget niche keywords used within your industry—especially those you yourself have coined. "If you develop specific keywords for your products that no one is searching for, you have the opportunity to build a whole new set of keywords that you own," Stamoulis notes. "For instance, HubSpot created the term 'inbound marketing' and built a successful business around it."
The Po!nt: One size seldom fits all. Don't think of B2C and B2B SEO as interchangeable strategies; what works for one won't always work for the other.
Source: MarketingProfs.
Ready to chart a new course with better B2B marketing? Join us June 13-15 in Boston for the MarketingProfs B2B Marketing Forum 2011. With two days of knowledge-packed sessions, plus two pre-conference workshops, you'll be navigating your way to new leads and sales in 2011 and beyond.
Source http://www.marketingprofs.com/
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