Invest in SEO for retail shops and stores, says key research

Investment in search engine optimisation (SEO) for retailers is the key recommendation to store operators across the UK from a leading business research group.

Analysts from Gartner, a global information technology research and advisory firm, warn retail companies that they are throwing money down the drain if they fail to focus on attracting new visitors and would-be customers to their websites.

Key advice - Develop SEO-friendly websites

To improve sales while cutting costs, Gartner recommends using open-source applications or buying off-the-shelf products to save 25-35 per cent on licensing and maintenance bills.

Gartner research vice-president Gene Alvarez said, "A developer would be better to develop rich Internet shopping capabilities or improve site design for search engine optimisation so that the site can rank higher in a Google-based search."

More investment in SEO for retailers is forecast to happen this coming year, according to a report recently published by Forrester Research and Shop.org. Some 70 per cent of retailers surveyed plan to increase, or at least maintain, online marketing spend.