The thing about Bing.

Bing, Microsoft’s bold foray into the world of search engine marketing, doesn’t exactly have Google on the ropes, but it may have them on the run. Consider this. Microsoft is planning on investing 5-10% of their operating income in search marketing over the next few years. Now, 5-10% may not sound like much, but remember we are talking Microsoft dollars. So we’re talking upwards of $11 billion. Not exactly chump change. Plus, for a Microsoft product, Bing is not half bad. It is colorful, easy to navigate and, well, something kind of different. And different is good in the fast-moving world of the Internet.Which is why, if properly done, Bing could stir up the world of search to the benefit of users and marketers alike. Of course, if you’re Google, you don’t welcome a cash-rich company like Microsoft poking around in your kingdom.

3 Must-Have Tools for Performing Effective Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization, also known as SEO, is the process of doing everything you can to make sure your Web site ranks well organically on search engines in hopes of efficiently capturing site traffic among qualified online users.

We have taken the three most important tools related to SEO and compiled a short and powerful list for anyone who is interested in SEO.

1. Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide

The Google guide won’t teach you how to trick Google into ranking your Web site first, but it will tell you the do’s and don’ts when it comes to optimizing your site for Google.

Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide (PDF Download)

2. Web Site Grader

This toolbar lets you check page rank, domain age, Meta data, links on social bookmaking sites and many more tools.

Web Site Grader

3. Search Engine Ranking Tool

Mikes-Marketing-Tools.com published this free tool to quickly and easily check the rankings for a key phrase with a domain name across multiple search engines in seconds.

Free Search Engine Rankings Check in Seconds

These tools are a great start for building a Web site that utilizes Search Engine Optimization, but that is only half of the work. The other half of the work is knowing how to properly construct a Web site using relevant keywords, Meta data, content, and link building. When developing content it is important to be strategic if you want your Web site to be search engine friendly.

Smart Marketing During Lean Times

Our current economic environment has many clients pulling back their advertising budgets. So knowing where to place the advertising dollars when times are lean is extremely critical. One of the most effective and least costly marketing tools is search engine marketing (SEM). Of course, it performs better when your web site is optimized with relevant content, keywords, meta data, etc. Our clients typically obtain 35 to 50 percent more leads/success through their SEM program over other individual tactics within their marketing mix. To top it off, it is easy to track and identify the ROI. There are no guarantees in garnering the top organic listing(s), but an online pay-per-click ad campaign will provide first-page exposure while increasing organic listings. Some industries perform much better than others, so I recommend at least a three-month SEM program to see if it can be a top perfomer for your company.