AdCenter has been shown to convert at a higher rate than Google and Yahoo in the US.

WebSideStory

Meet your customers in the middle…

Who is your typical customer? Man, woman or teenager?

Imagine being able to put an advert in front of the very people you want to target when they are searching online!

An exciting new addition to the Microsoft brand claims to let you seek out your potential customers and put your adverts in front of them.

Unlike annoying banner or pop up adverts (which can be targeted, too) your listing appears in a less intrusive manner when people you have targeted search using words you have highlighted - that's what makes it special.

So if, for example, you are selling cruise holidays and want to target a younger, affluent, female market then with Microsoft Adcenter you should be able to target users by the following demographics:

• Age
• Lifestyle
• Location
• Income
• Gender

Sarah Forrest, resident PPC expert here at MediaCo, is excited by the new offering from Microsoft:

"Pay Per Click is a vital marketing tool for any business. Our existing and new clients will benefit from our experience in creating successful campaigns coupled with the unique demographic targeting element of Microsoft AdCenter. The result of this will be increased exposure for our clients' websites and ultimately increased business for them."

Contact us to learn more about Microsoft Adcenter

Read more about targeted PPC

Lucy's AdCenter links

• Microsoft AdCenter to provide adverts for social networking site Facebook

• MSN Messenger has approximately 61% of world wide instant messaging market

• Online advertising revenue is now almost three times greater than radio advertising revenue and over one-third that of television advertising revenue

Choosing a search marketing provider might seem daunting for any business, small or large. If you make the wrong decision you might as well have gambled your marketing budget on an online casino.

But, get it right and the ROI effects could be transforming. Search marketing is highly-specialised and sorting through the various sales pitches from different companies promising different solutions could make your brain ache.

We want to help you get it right, so we've put together our top tips to give you an understanding of what to expect from your SEM provider and also help you sort the quality Search Engine Marketing (SEM) agencies from the 'cowboys'.

Using our tips you should learn how to ask the right questions, get the most from your online marketing budget and find the best agency for the job.

Read on for our top tips

Lucy's vital statistics

UK web shoppers will spend £6.25 billion on groceries a year by 2010, an increase of 235% over last year, according to a study by Paypal. (E-consultancy, 2006)

Online spending forecasts that DIY firms are expected to reap £1.2 billion, up 172% on last year, and clothing and footwear £2.27 billion, a 160% rise. (E-consultancy, 2006)

Twenty five million Brits made a purchase over the internet last year, up 11% compared to 2004. (IMRG, 2006)

Over 7 million users a month in the UK visit msn.co.uk
(MSN, 2006)

Ho, ho, ho 4 months to go!

I don't mean to scare you but with only four months to go until Christmas it's an idea to start planning your online marketing strategy (if you haven't already).

Seasonal traffic is busy, just as it is in the real world! So I'd suggest that every element of your marketing strategy is prepared in order to generate more visitors to your site at this busy time of year.

From email newsletters rich with special offers to the creation of a link building campaign to boost your website's position in the search engines - we can show you how to drive more visitors to your site and help you convert Christmas visitors to customers!

Ecommerce sites, especially, should consider tactics to exploit online media this Christmas.

In order to get you started thinking about the festive period we have compiled a list for you.

Read on for more details

A bit of fun....

• Borrow or lend money from CowgirlJo - find out about a financial social networking service
• Google are so cool they have their own ice cream!
• Find out how to do things like how to make a Mojito or iron a shirt with online self help videos

PS: Welcome to Liverpool Victoria and Morphy Richards ... the latest names to join MediaCo's growing client list :-)