'Open doors with SEO'

11th February 2008

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is increasingly important for retailers, reports the Age.

Tony Dalton, manager of archery supplies store Abbey Archery, told the Australian newspaper that investing in SEO has led to increased sales.

"Like the shopkeeper who has got to have a clean window, you have to have a site that is easy for them to get at," he said. "If you don't get customers in the door, you're not going to sell anything."

According to Mr Dalton, during the past three months the number of different search terms leading users to his firm's site has increased from 750 to 1,400.

His employed SEO firm originally focused on keywords which would lead web users to the website and then moved onto generating links from sites such as Yahoo! and other industry-specific portals.

Previously, Abbey Archery could only sell to locals and others who could visit the shop but with the optimisation of the online store, it has now broadened its customer range, Mr Dalton added.

Linda Jezard, owner of Advantage Positioning web development firm, told the Polk County Business Journal that search engine marketing allows small businesses to compete with larger companies in their industry.