Why is search engine positioning pivotal to success in this market?

More than 85% percent of all Internet users go directly to search engines immediately upon accessing the Internet to find what they are looking for. Therefore you cannot afford to be ranked anywhere but on the first page. In addition, most Internet users do not venture beyond the first page of a search, so, unless you are being found there, your chances of drawing those Internet users to your site are very unlikely. Even if you spend thousands of dollars on keyword banner buys, site sponsorships, click through advertising and the like, you need good search engine rankings first and foremost! The current industry standard on banner click-thrus is at about 0.5%. The highest we have ever seen is 35% which is very rare. Therefore if 1 out of 200 clicks on the banner, where do the other 199 look?