Additional Information:

Once upon a time search engine marketing was search engine optimization, but now the terms are used to describe two very different processes, both of which have the ultimate goal of driving targeted traffic to websites.

SEM (search engine marketing) and SEO (search engine optimization) have become such fine sciences as to require extensive education and dedication to the process. Oftentimes, especially with larger organizations, it would be more cost effective to hire out one’s internet marketing duties rather than muddling through them oneself in-house.

If you think you and your company may fall into this category – whether you’re a B2B, a retailer, an internet portal, a local site, or a content site – these two books are an excellent resource to get you started.

Filled with easy-to-understand charts, these two invaluable tomes published by MarketingSherpa enable you to compare and contrast 188 companies (127 SEO firms and 61 Paid Search agencies) so that you can find the right ones for your business. Learn which firms are being employed by 1,650 of your peers and competitors (name by name, discover 1,252 SEO clients and 398 SEM clients).

Convenient pull-out questionnaires (154 questions for SEO firms/172 questions for Paid Search/SEM agencies) empower you to confidently and competently evaluate firms and agencies not even listed in either book.

Each company’s profile include answers to questions like “What’s the difference between your firm and the rest?” and “What tactics work best with your clients?” as well as listing real client results.

These books also contain handy charts and advice for calculating an advertising budget, setting realistic goals, understanding the risks and rewards of various pricing models, and negotiating a deal with the business(es) of your choice.

Two 20-term glossaries and other internet marketing primers included in the text give you a deeper understanding of what these companies can and should be doing for you – making it easier to both evaluate competing offers and/or current service providers as well as to convey your strategic ideas to your own team and/or supervisors.

The following is a rundown of the Table of Contents for each of the books:

• Buyer’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization Firms (2005-2006)

• 1 – Introduction

• 2 – Glossary

• 3 – The Basics

• 4 – Pricing Specifics

• 5 – How to Winnow the Pack: Evaluating SEO Firms

• 6 – 154-point SEO Firm Questionnaire

• 7 – Easy-Scan Comparison Charts and Indices

• 8 – Detailed Profiles of 127 SEO Firms

• Buyer’s Guide to Paid Search Advertising (PPC) Agencies (2005-2006)

• 1 – Inroduction

• 2 – Glossary

• 3 – The Basics & Pricing

• 4 – Agency Selection Process

• 5 – 172-point Paid Search Ad Agency Questionnaire

• 6 – Easy-scan Comparison Charts and Indices

• 7 – Detailed Profiles of 61 Paid Search Ad Agencies

These firms and agencies listed did not pay for their listings in these books, nor are they MarketingSherpa advertisers, so you can be assured the reviews are as impartial and unbiased as possible.

For $249 you’ll get either an instant PDF download or a print copy of both volumes shipped out within 24 hours of placing your order. Or you can pay $199 for just one, but if you decide later you’d like the second book, that’ll cost you another $199, so choose wisely.

As with all products from the MarketingSherpa SherpaStore, these books come with a 30-day 100% money back guarantee.