UK SEO DEMAND SURGES BY 40% IN 2009

Figures revealed by Google show that demand for SEO in the United Kingdom has surged by an astonishing 40% in the first four months of 2009. In particular, searches by users looking for SEO companies has rocketed, as has the need for information on Pay Per Click (PPC) marketing.

Four Peaks

The four phrases that have seen the biggest rises are:

1. Joomla SEO - UP 60%
2. Website SEO - UP 40%
3. SEO Company - UP 40%
4. PPC - UP 40%

There is little doubt that as the recession bites a good deal of these searches will be down to companies deciding it is time to make their website investment pay. However, we also share the view that more and more companies are becoming increasingly switched on to the shortcomings of their sites in general. SEO has been far too easy for companies to skimp on in the past and as knowledge in the boardroom increases it is inevitably becoming an increasingly sought after skill.

Why Joomla?

The list topping 'Joomla SEO' phrase is easily explained as a huge number of small to medium enterprises have received Joomla as the CMS recommended to them by their web design company. With an estimated 30 million websites now using Joomla, and the UK representing on the largest markets outside of the United States, it is inevitable that developers and companies alike have started to turn their attentions to its finer points.

How to take your share

An interesting point about these rises is that only 'website seo' features in the most frequently searched for SEO related terms overall. SEO companies and consultants not optimising their sites for these more specific phrases would do well to take note moving forward. That said, we'd estimate that a very high proportion of those using the 'Joomla SEO' phrase are more likely to be vendors than customers.

The use of 'SEO company' is the interesting exception from the standard searches from end users. It highlights a change in the way many companies approach their web operations - and the increasing number of them that realise SEO is a profession they need to invest in, rather than treat as a mere 'accessory' to a website.

A lack of understanding

The apparent lack of knowledge about what SEO actually is still evident. Amongst the top 10 most searched for phrases are 'SEO optimisation' (try saying it in full, quickly!) and 'SEO UK' when using Google UK and restricing searches to UK sites.