London, UK, 9th April 2014 – Eight out of ten (79%) small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) say their website is critical or very important to their business but only 28% are happy with their company’s Google rankings. In fact, research undertaken by Browser Media at The Business Show in London shows that only four in ten (43%) of these SMEs are actively investing in marketing their website to improve their web presence.

Joe Friedlein, founder and managing director at Browser Media said: “It’s heartening to find that SMEs understand that their website can be a valuable business asset but equally concerning that only half invest in promoting it more broadly. It’s a bit like setting up a new retail outlet and then only telling family and friends how to find you. In order to attract new customers and grow their businesses, these SMEs need to think like a big brand and make more noise online.”

Of those businesses who do invest in digital marketing, just over half (69%) undertake this solely in-house, a third (31%) have some levels of agency support or outsource entirely. However, those businesses that seek external expertise are more satisfied with their online presence and visibility than those who undertake the work in house.

SME owners and managers were most familiar with the following online marketing disciplines:

social media marketing (91%)
email marketing (89%)
SEO (79%)

and least familiar with:

content marketing (52%)
affiliate marketing (48%
inbound marketing (35%)

Joe Friedlein, concluded: “It’s understandably chicken and egg - lots of small and micro business know they need to invest in digital marketing and that it will grow their business, but they can only cut their cloth according to their means. If these businesses can’t afford long-term activity, then ensuring their website is well optimised is be a good place to start. That way, they have a solid platform from which to build on additional activity as and when they can afford it.”

For more information or to see the associated infographic and blog post, please visit:

www.browsermedia.co.uk/2014/04/02/smes-frustrated-websites/

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Notes to editors:

The research was carried out amongst 188 SME owners and managers at The Business Show, December 2013.

About Browser Media:
Browser Media was born as an SEO agency but has embraced the ‘inbound marketing’ philosophy. The agency has always practiced a PR-led approach to search engine marketing and modern SEO is now proving itself to be based on building authority rather than keywords and meta tags.

Browser Media’s services include online strategy, SEO, PPC, online PR, social media and analytics/CRO.

The company was founded in 2005 by Managing Director Joe Friedlein, and from humble beginnings has grown into a highly respected and award winning marketing agency that boasts a wide portfolio of clients including Scribbler, John Lewis, Colt, Scandinavian Airlines, Virgin Balloon Flights and Navman.

For further information please contact:
Ali Cort PR Director Browser Media 0207 099 0945
Distributed on behalf of Browser Media by NeonDrum news distribution service (http://www.neondrum.com)