A recent study regarding Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) trends has observed that the number of firms outsourcing their SEO needs to specialist agencies has significantly increased as compared to the previous year. Additionally, the research report has also pointed to a considerable increase in the expenditure, even by traditional firms on their Internet business plans.

The study noted that 63 per cent of companies intended to increase their paid search budgets and 61 per cent plan to raise the amount spent on SEO. Out of the 1,000 respondents, who took part in the survey, 9 per cent informed they spent over £1 million a year on their paid search strategies whereas one in six spend a minimum of £50,000 on their SEO efforts.

Confirming this trend, separate research found that 2007 was a strong one for online marketing, especially among the UK firms. It was observed that Internet advertising spending rose to £2.6 billion in 2007, which was an increase of 30 per cent as compared to 2006.