Consumers 'seek product info online'

2nd January 2008

Consumers are increasingly using the internet in order to access information on products or services before making their buying decision, it has been reported.

Jeremiah Owyang, senior analyst at marketing firm Forrester Research, commented on his Web Strategy blog that this trend is only set to increase over time.

He explained that the majority of large firms now hire a professional search marketing firm to improve their site's search engine optimisation. This firm will ensure that web content is easily found and displayed in search engine results and will also purchase keywords to improve link-building.

Citing an eMarketer report, Mr Owyang added that advertising on social networking sites such as Facebook is the fastest growing area of online marketing.

"Savvy marketers are starting to also realise the power of social networking sites in every flavour of focus, including image sharing sites like flickr for marketing," he said.

Other marketing opportunities include email marketing, widgets, blogs and RSS, he concluded.

Social Media Portal recently announced that for advertisers who are aware of their target audience, social media sites are the most effective way to target consumers.