Tuesday, December 9, 2003

U. S. Health Care Web Sites Resist Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Online Sales Leads

U. S. Health Care Web Sites Resist Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Online Sales Leads

New study shows how poorly U. S. health care industry sites use natural search engine optimization (SEO) as an online marketing strategy to generate new sales leads.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) August 23, 2005

Cleveland, OH August 22, 2005 -- A new study of 350 U. S. health care sites found that most of these companies fail to properly use basic natural search engine optimization (SEO) techniques that can help produce online sales leads.

“U. S. Health Care Web Sites Resist Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Online Sales Leads,” prepared by Cleveland, Ohio-based Fathom SEO (http://www. fathomseo. com (http://www. fathomseo. com)), covers such SEO topics as web site page titles and META descriptions, site architecture barriers and visible text.

The report, for example, notes that 72 percent of U. S. health care sites don't appear to use effective keywords in the home page title tag, which heavily influences how well a web site will rank on search engines. A little more than 80 percent don't use a suitable title on primary interior pages, such as the about or product summary pages.

Get a free copy of the study at: http://www. fathomseo. com/forms/health-study-news. asp (http://www. fathomseo. com/forms/health-study-news. asp)

Health care web site also can take a quick survey about whether they use SEO strategies. Fill out the survey here:

Http://www. fathomseo. com/health-seo-survey. asp (http://www. fathomseo. com/health-seo-survey. asp)

“It doesn't make sense for the health care industry to skip SEO,” said Michael Murray, vice president of Fathom SEO. “Internet users conduct local searches and they look for national keyword phrases. Health care companies should make a better effort to be found so they can generate more leads and build their brands.”

Online searches aren't limited to celebrities, news and sports, Murray said. Plenty of business owners hunt for everything from medical devices to heart surgeons.

The study, which includes META tag case studies and insights about keyword selection, also found that most health care web sites include a reasonable amount of visible text that could be optimized with search terms – if companies make the effort. Health care sites also avoid splash pages (with the “skip intro” button) and frame architectures that may limit rankings.

Murray is available to discuss the study, search engine marketing tactics and related trends. He can be reached at 216.861.5951 ext. 111.

Fathom SEO, based in Cleveland, Ohio, is a market-leading firm dedicated to Search Engine Marketing (SEM), with an emphasis on organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO). As an SEO firm, we also provide pay-per-click (PPC) bid management, link building, web analytics, custom web site development and permission-based marketing services.

Clients include Eaton Corporation, The Cleveland Clinic, Little Tikes, Sauder, Bissell, Darice and FedEx Custom Critical. Fathom SEO has seasoned and knowledgeable SEO consultants with diverse skills.

Visit us at www. fathomseo. com or call 216.861.5951 or 866.RANK. YOU (726.5968).

Contact:

Michael Murray

Fathom SEO

(216) 861-5951 ext. 111

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