Web Traffic Surges Ahead in 2009 as Commercial Websites Adopt New Strategies

Web Traffic Surges Ahead in 2009 as Commercial Websites Adopt New Strategies

Artistech Newmedia sees client web traffic up as much as 50% in January

Kelowna, BC (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- Artistech Newmedia (http://www.artistechnewmedia.com/) reports that clients' websites are seeing dramatic upswings in activity this year. Company director Brad Marshall reports, "Our own web site traffic shot up over 50% in January from December. And December 2008 was already up significantly from December 2007. We're seeing that trend across different industries for a number of our clients."

Marshall reports large gains in web site activity, ranging from real estate development to hotel and restaurant sites. The Hotel Eldorado's new web site (http://www.hoteleldoradokelowna.com/) traffic has risen 50% in January over December. A combination of e-newsletter campaigns and search engine optimization (SEO) contributed to the site's impressive performance. The Rykon Group's web site for their Sonoma Pines development (http://www.sonomapines.com/index.html) has seen 25% more visitors in the last month alone, with a staggering 200% increase in the numbers of pages visitors are viewing.

Marshall points out that there are real advantages in continuing to promote your business in a recession. "Media rates tend to drop and the competitive landscape becomes quieter - those committed to being seen and heard often spend less and have greater momentum once a recession concludes."

While Artistech's numbers show traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses are benefitting from enhanced web sites, online businesses are also profiting. Amazon.com called this past holiday season its "best ever." Jeffrey Lindsay, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein, said, "People may be spending less in general, but they're spending a lot more of it online."

According to Internet Retailer's recent monthly survey, U.S. retailers have been busy updating their web sites, with 49.9% of merchants having rolled out a new design in the past year. For 2009, improved site optimization is the top priority for 72.9% of merchants.

Karl Hourigan, a Research Analyst at Enquiro Search Solutions (http://www.enquiro.com/), says, "If your customers can't find your web site when they need to, then your web site is like a brochure sitting on a rack somewhere gathering dust."

How important is search on the internet? Despite most economic indicators showing a downward trend in 2008, Google's revenues grew 23%. People kept searching on the internet and clicking on ads more than ever, according to AdGooroo.

For any business wondering where to spend marketing dollars in 2009, Hourigan suggests budgeting for an effective web presence. "More customers will be searching the web to research purchases and do comparison shopping in 2009. And local businesses benefit significantly from an effective web strategy," he adds.

Internet Marketing Company, HubSpot, recently wrote about the advantages of internet marketing, offering 6 great reasons why businesses are turning to the internet this year (http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/4347/6-Reasons-You-Should-Invest-in-Internet-Marketing-During-the-Recession). Artistech's Marshall concludes, "An effective web site, efficiently designed and optimized to be search engine-friendly, will be a key sales and marketing asset 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And whose business couldn't use that kind of help this year?"

For More Information:

Brad Marshall is a Director with Artistech Newmedia (http://www.artistechnewmedia.com/) in Kelowna BC

Karl Hourigan is a Research Analyst with Enquiro Search Solutions (http://www.enquiro.com/) in Kelowna BC.

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Contact Information Brad Marshall

Artistech Newmedia Inc.

http://www.artistechnewmedia.com

1-888-763-9907

Karl Hourigan

Enquiro Search Solutions

http://www.enquiro.com

1-800-277-9997