DMNews reported recently that 99.5% of press releases don’t feature search engine optimization (SEO) for the web. This DMNews story was written by Brian Halligan:

• Social media, other than blogs—68%
• Enewsletters/email—60%
• Blogs—56%
• Case studies—55%
• Online video—51%
• White papers—46%
• Microsites—43%

Where do tech people search for products and solutions when making buying decisions? The recent Google/TechTarget Research Project asked 2,200 worldwide tech buyers and decision makers this question: Which of the following search sites have you used to find information on technology solutions for your organization in the past six months?

A new joint study from Google and Tech Target, examines the search habits of technology professionals when making purchasing decisions. The purpose of the The Google/TechTarget Research Project:

• Reveal the mindset of the IT buyer in context of their purchase process and search mode
• Put marketers in a better position to make keyword buys, choose content to syndicate
• Determine optimal selection and scheduling of content and website media to attract the IT buyer

• Different search terms are used by buyers at various stages of the IT buying process
• There is a concrete relationship between search and branding, as well as lead generation and ROI implications
• Surprises were found regarding buyer utilization of new media including mobile devices, video and RSS feeds
• Information source preferences were established

• 53% of IT purchasers use search to discover vendor solutions they are not previously aware of
• 86% of searchers look for a familiar brand or manufacturer before clicking on a search result
• 67% willing to click on the link of a manufacturer with which they are not familiar
• Over 40% of searchers will click on search ads that are contextual to content on IT Publisher sites, and 46% willing to read those ads.

Federal research firm Input Inc. anticipates that the economic stimulus bill will generate $4.5 billion in new information technology spending from state and local governments in the U.S. This is good news for service providers who have been increasingly chasing those decreasing dollars.  

Nielsen Online reports a 16 percent year-over-year increase in unique visitors to the top 10 newspaper web sites. This represents 40.1 million unique visitors in December 2008, up from 34.6 million in December 2007.

To top online newspaper site was NYTimes.com, with 18.2 million unique visitors. USATODAY.com and washingtonpost.com took the second and third spots. See the table below for more.

Here are the top ten finishers, courtesy of Nielson Online:                        

                                               Dec-08 UA   % Change

Top 10 Online Newspapers     40,093            16

 1. NYTimes.com                       18,187             6

 2. USATODAY.com               11,420           15

 3. washingtonpost.com              9,470           12

 4. LA Times                               7,963           73

 5. Wall Street Journal Online     7,235          34

 6. Daily News Online Edition    5,883          99

 7. Chicago Tribune                    5,235           35

 8. New York Post                      4,557           60

 9. Boston.com                           4,086            -6

10. SFGate.com                          3,503           26

Of the top 10 online newspapers, nine experienced positive year-over-year growth. No small contribution to this jump was the weakening economy, election cycle and new administration.

We’re all getting ready to close the book on 2008 and many of us are looking optimistically to 2009. At least I hope you’re putting your game face on getting ready to take on the world.

Q2 is looking back affectionately on a terrific 2008. If you had any part to play in helping us achieve this milestone year, our most sincere thank you! We provided web strategy and development, public relations, advertising, tradeshow strategy and support, collateral development, strategic messaging, branding and more to many new and returning clients. We’ve proudly gained a record number of new clients and, even more proudly, continue to serve the needs of many returning software and services businesses. 

Below are some observations and trends from 2008 that we hope will help you get a jumpstart on a successful new year. These range from analyst findings to our feet-on-the street observations.

Federal sector stays strong

Many of Q2’s clients, friends and business associates provide services to the federal government. If these individuals are fearful of a slumping economy or a change in administration, they aren’t letting on. These tend to be a tough and resilient group of people anyway, determined to be successful no matter what.

Still gold in the IT hills

The tech industry will still grow, with the exception of hardware, according to the latest from Forrester.

Good business principles still in style

Companies with business models that were not entirely viable before the economic slowdown are struggling with traction, funding, etc. Many companies with great ideas, service, delivery, savvy and sound principles are well positioned to win. An oversimplification perhaps, but sometimes life is simple.

Many business owners and marketing executives are wisely looking for a flat 2009 versus focusing on growing the business. However, we talk with companies, many selling to the public sector that are hiring and growing. There are healthy organizations out there.

D.C. Tech sector strong

The Washington, D.C. area is still a burgeoning region in the tech sector, just ask the Inc. 500.

SEM and direct marketing are the spending trend winners

Direct marketing spending predictions are hot.

Search marketing is already a proven winner. Chances are it’s usurped some of your marketing budget.  

So what can I do?

Here is some of Q2 Marketing’s uncommon sense wisdom for a down economy. It’s timeless.

Come back frequently for our tech marketing New Year’s resolutions and more practical insight.

Forrester Research has released the US IT Market Outlook: Q4 2008. They remain optimistic–or at least not pessimistic–in foreseeing the near future. Forrester doesn’t see the 15% to 20% decline from the 2001 to 2002 tech downturn.

Forrester believes the recession will last into mid-2009 and anticipates declines in real GDP of up to 3.6% per quarter. So purchases of IT goods and services from US business and government will drop from 4.1% growth in 2008 to 1.6% in 2009.

Some other key findings related to industry growth:

• Data from Q3 2008 indicated US revenues of large vendors down by 2%.
• Continued declines are anticipated for computer equipment purchases in Q4 2008 and the first half of 2009.
• Little or no growth is anticipated in communications equipment and IT services.
• Software growth will slow to as little as 2% in coming quarters.

Table of contents:

The US Recession Is A Reality, With Tech Purchases Slowing Sharply

The Causes Of The Recession And Recovery, With Industry Winners And Losers

Q3 2008 IT Purchases Data Shows Tech Winners And Losers So Far

Recommendations:

Recession Is Here, Don’t Panic; Except Hardware, Growth Will Slow, Not End