Peaks in spending expected each year through 2014

After 2009, US online ad spending will increase by 13.9% in 2010, reaching a record $25.8 billion. eMarketer has projected that internet ad spending will hit new heights in the following four years, passing $30 billion in 2012 and breaking the $40 billion mark in 2014.

As for 2010, “A spending peak in Q4 is likely, primarily because Q4 has been the biggest quarter for US online ad spending every year but one since 1999,” said David Hallerman, eMarketer principal analyst and author of the new report, “US Ad Spending: Online Outshines … Continue Reading

How to Build a Better Banner Ad

Banner ads aren’t always popular with individuals browsing the web. In fact, 43% of respondents to an online AdweekMedia-Harris Poll said they ignored or disregarded internet banner ads more than search and traditional media advertisements.

However, banner ad spending is still projected to increase. eMarketer estimates that ad spending on standard banners will increase 11.4% in 2011, to $6.56 billion, and will continue to grow to $8.63 billion … Continue Reading

Facebook is now third most important marketing tactic

Small businesses are placing more importance on social media marketing, according to a fall 2010 survey from small-business marketing firm Constant Contact.

The businesses surveyed overwhelmingly considered word-of-mouth the most important marketing tactic for finding new customers, but that figure includes discussions that take place both online and offline.

For business promotion, the marketing tools rated to be most important were websites and email with more than nine in 10 … Continue Reading

Google recently made changes in their search engine results with the launch of Places search. With this launch, Google combined the map-based Google Local listings with its organic search results.

Local searches have gained increasing importance with Google, which has worked hard on improving its ability to predict your location and offer local results without the use of a city name in your query.

The idea is to make it easier to find local information by combining results — presenting a more comprehensive view of a business by pulling … Continue Reading

An increasing number of individuals in the US are viewing online video content, many of whom are women from the ages of 25-44.

The Nielson Company recently worked with TODAYshow.com to find out what factors motivated women to watch online videos.

While observing women’s online habits, Nielson Company discovered 4 relevant themes…

• Women’s video habits are largely based on life stage and daily to-do lists, rather than age or employment status.
• Digital mindsets change throughout ones day and vary according to factors such as time, mood, and location.
• The social value of video has … Continue Reading
  
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Findings show encouraging signs for advertisers 

One of online marketers’ simplest metrics, the clickthrough rate, has been in decline for years. However, the decline appears to have stopped.

Analysis of data from July 2006 through July 2010 shows that annual average click rates have plateaued, at 0.9%.

We’re finally seeing clickthrough rates reach equilibrium; demonstrating that online advertisers have reached a new level in their ability to lure potential customers.

The end of CTR decline is good news for all advertisers, however studies reveal that successful display campaigns shouldn’t focus solely on clickthrough rates.

The chart … Continue Reading

Google has recently announced its newest element to their Places feature; and they’re calling it Hotpot.

Hotpot functions as a Places recommendation engine and is aimed at average customers. Hotpot is easy to use and includes social functions that are not present with the Google Places we’ve come to know so well.

With Hotpot, a user is able to see their friends rated and reviewed places along with the standard Google Place’s information.

Users will be encouraged to rate and review businesses directly from their Google-linked … Continue Reading

On Monday, Facebook announced new communication channels for its users which included new message systems and a @facebook.com.

Among the upgrades, users now have the ability to tailor communication channels for individuals in their network. An individual may chose a certain friend to receive emails while another receives IM’s depending on which platform they prefer. Once that information is inputted, the user simply chooses the name and types a message.

The biggest change, though, will likely be the @facebook.com – a project that Facebook has reportedly been … Continue Reading

Social media marketers who have successfully attracted fans to their Facebook or Twitter page must work to keep fans interested and engaged.

According to a September 2010 survey by social media marketing agency Cone, incentives are the biggest draw for consumers connecting with brands online. Users expect deals and look for brands to help solve their problems and receive their feedback on products and services.

However, what users aren’t looking for is equally important. The top two reasons new-media users said they stopped following brands online was due to … Continue Reading

New System Expands Product Ad in Search Result, Google will receive Cut of the Sales

Google is undergoing changes as it rolls out a new system which allows for expanded Product Advertisements to be displayed in search results.

Product Ads will show up as photos and several lines of text, including price, alongside traditional search results.

The new system has been tested over the past year with over 800 advertisers but was not officially released until yesterday.

What Does Google’s Product Ad System Mean for Marketers?

• For the first time, major advertisers will be … Continue Reading
  
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