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I think businesses are finding better and more efficient allocations for their advertising dollars online. The web is starting to mature to a point where businesses are starting to become more targeted in their efforts. It may be time for Google to reposition itself, other media has had to do that.

Budgets are not shrinking, efforts are becoming more focused for the clients I am working with. I do relize though that my clients tend to have bigger budgets. It may not be the same for smaller advertisers.

Not exactly true. If you know where you are headed, do you need to do a search? What about bookmarking or creating favorite lists? The more people know where they are going the less they need to search - that does not mean there are less people on the internet. Actually, the numbers look like there are more and more people everyday, but they know where they are going.

This is why I have always believed in not relying too heavily on searches ALONE - it has limits as the audience gets more comfortable with the web. Banners and other media units could help increase the traffic that is being driven to your site.

I think as your business grows, you adapt. Searches become a part of your online arsenal, not your only weapon. Not having a marketing plan is unwise, the plan would have taken this into consideration and had something in place to maintain traffic. The customers are still here, they just aren't using search as much.

Before the web, how often did you have to use the yellow pages to find your favorite pizza place? Did you go and look up pizza every time you wanted it? No, the number was written down or on the refrigerator magnet or the coupon you picked up. Just because you weren't using the yellow pages as much didn't mean you weren't eating pizza. You already knew where you were going. That is what is happening with the web.

I think you get smarter about driving traffic to your site.

It depends on what field you are operating, and I don't think if you are in a lady market that they will bookmark a site and buy from the site forever.

The first thing people use when looking for products or information is using the search engines, this is why Google and Yahoo are multi millions dollars companies.

Ok let's following what you said about banners and medias. I guess you are not selling on internet, otherwisae you will know how much cost a banner displayed on high traffic site. The cost is apprimately $2000 a month. As far as the marketing in medias, it could cost you minimum $5000 for a business card ad per month.

So what you described is a marketing plan for big corporations not small businesses.

Yellow pages were a good marketing tool way back, but I can tell you that the news paper ads were efficient as well.

Google will never tell if their advertising Adwords system is falling down, because they got investors and shares in the market so it is too risky, the numbers will tell by itself.

Driving traffic depends on search engines whatever you think, more back links you've got and higher you will rank, that's basic.

If no sites rank then how people can find you on internet?

NatOnline

Are you looking for advice on marketing through the internet?

I absolutely do not sell these services, but have an extremely successful publishing company and consulting firm where I use a specific online strategy with a virtually '$0' budget. I steer clear of companies that state that they will place your company, website, etc. because my past results have been bunk. However, I have been able to ensure that anytime any topic related to my company shows up in the top positions through some good old elbow grease.

I would be happy to discuss this in this forum.

Howard

I am always looking for advises if they can bring me something new

First - if you want to drive people to your site, educate, educate, educate!

Most people act based upon WIIFM (What's In It For Me) - even though you are a retail site and you have lots of interesting things there (I looked), I have no idea what the stuff would do for me or my significant other. Teach me what the items are, how to apply, why should I use them? People come to the internet for information and purchase if they fully understand. A key item to remember is that you want your site to come up when people are looking for specific information on the solutions you provide. Right now if you search for your product lines, how many sites would come up? If your primary focus is yourself, or static 'here is what we have,' your success is going to be limited.

Second - broadcast as well as educate

Yes, that is right, educate yet again. Start up a newsletter where you are providing interesting information that people will want to read and pass on to others who will also sign up for your newsletter. For instance, my present list is over 7500 world-wide that are rebroadcast to up to 100,000+ worldwide through other sites. It took a LONG time to build up this list, but I am not lacking for work and my book sales continue to increase.

Third - Announce!

Get your information on business cards, your email, printed materials, etc. The website should not be your primary source of advertising - there are way too many websites in existence and the chances that someone will find yours without help is pretty low.

Fourth - Publish and Present

Try to publish articles in your local paper, online websites, white papers on your site, other peoples' newsletters, etc. with links to your site and email. These should be educational, focused in how your products are applied and your prospects' self-interests, etc.

If you notice, the trend is to focus on your client, their needs (WIIFM), and educate them, not only will you find that your sales will begin to increase, the number of repeat customers will also increase, and your customers will be more forgiving when things go awry.

Howard