UK Internet users now spend 64% more time using Search Engines than they did three years ago - in April alone a staggering 31 million hours were spent using Search Engines in the UK. The Search Engine has long been a portal for reaching otherwise irretrievable information, products, services and features - however they have never yet been so powerful and vital, and of course none have as tight-a-hold on the Worldwide search market as Google. A well optimised site has fast become a necessity rather than a luxury as online competition becomes more 'clued up' on the huge benefits of increased visibility through Search Engines. A quick scan of recent UK market statistics reveals that 30% of companies now spend up to £5,000 on SEO each year, with some spending over £1million on Search in a year. The chart below gives a breakdown of these statistics: With Search Engine usage rising substantially year on year and so many companies now employing SEO techniques and campaigns, can any business now afford not to consider SEO?
