Social media is top online marketing channel for small businesses after company Web sites
According to the American Express OPEN and Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) “Small Business Search Marketing Survey,” US small businesses recognize word-of-mouth as the top way their customers find them, followed by the Internet and search engines.
The reliance on word-of-mouth, likely along with the low cost of participating, has led small businesses to make social media their number two online marketing effort, after company Web sites. As of March 2011, 44 percent of respondents to the survey used social media marketing, vs. 28% who used SEO and 21% who used paid search. Looking ahead, more small businesses planned to add social media marketing this year than either search tactic.
(Source: emarketer.com)
