BT offers search marketing service for SMEs

BT will offer search marketing expertise to improve online returns

BT has launched a professional marketing service called SearchSmart aimed at helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) better market themselves online.

The telco claimed that a quarter of retail spending (about £78bn) will be carried out online this year, and that a growing number of people at least research potential purchases online through search engines and review sites, making it increasingly important for businesses to have a solid online presence.

SearchSmart promises to give SMEs an in-depth telephone consultation, including a web site audit, advice about onsite optimisation access, and advice from search marketing experts to improve online returns.

Businesses will also get keyword targeting, as well as the option of having BT build and manage pay-per-click campaigns.

"Professional marketing services have in the past been out of reach for the vast majority of small businesses who don't have access to the skills or tools needed to manage search campaigns," said Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business.

"Search advertising is now the leading advertising format in Europe, growing at a rate of 26 per cent year on year. We want to make sure that small businesses can participate in this rapidly growing market at a price they can afford and with access to the tools to manage their campaign performance effectively."

Customers will be able to use a dedicated portal to access a variety of online reports regarding all their search marketing, keyword rankings and paid search spend and allocation reports.

BT will also offer extra free advice, recommendation and support from qualified professionals, including best practice guides on a range of digital marketing topics.

The telco has teamed up with independent search agency Latitude to deliver the service.

"This partnership brings together BT's reach and trust with Latitude's technical expertise to enable small businesses to succeed as more consumers move online," said Alex Hoye, chief executive at Latitude.

"We are excited to make our scale, technology and experience in managing campaigns for big business such as Tesco Personal Finance now accessible to smaller enterprises through a service especially designed to meet their needs."

BT will offer several SearchSmart packages designed especially for SMEs, including support for pay-per-click campaigns, search engine optimisation and web analytics. Packages start at £74.99 per month, with a minimum three-month contract, plus a £100 set-up fee.