The Google Website Optimizer official blog launched recently and the Google team kicked things off by featuring some of the work we did with Safe Software. It’s an interesting result that’s worth reading.

You can read their post here that includes screenshots or read the full case study showing 270% conversion rate improvement here.

As we previously announced, Google Website Optimizer has been released from within Adwords and is no longer a “beta” version, plus other enhancements.

Tom Leung, Product Manager for Google Website Optimizer, spent a few minutes with us discussing the updates, the opportunities for improving conversion rates with Google Website Optimizer, and how to use conversion optimization to advance your career - especially in a down economy.

Click the play button below to listen to the audio file of the conversation:

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Or, download the mp3 here.

We’ve been saying for a long time now that Conversion Optimization is an important tactic to include in your “economic downturn strategy”.

While I think Forbes may be premature in it’s optimism that online advertising will avoid feeling a Recession, it’s our belief that Conversion Optimization at least should be counter-cyclical.

Online marketing is clearly more measurable and accountable than offline and deserves to have an increasing proportion of advertising spend. But that also means that it will get even more competitive and expensive as the large players pour more effort into it. During difficult times you need to spend more time sharpening your axe to increase your competiveness.

Ed note: What’s the best way to sharpen your internet marketing axe? Try Conversion Optimization.

After only a year as a beta version accessible only within Adwords, Google announced this morning that Google Website Optimizer is going out on its own as an independent non-beta product. And they’ve made it easier to use with its own signup form, more resources and a product information blog. (more…)

This morning, Google launched TV Ads, the latest in their expansion into offline media.

More than ever, it is important for marketers to integrate analytics and conversion optimization reporting from multiple channels. This is just another reason why I’m so excited about the new phone call tracking service, TrackYourCalls, that is about to open for private beta. (more…)

This morning, eMarketer reports “Although SEM has been booming, there may be a spending limit for some marketers”.

As it turns out, from the results of a study conducted for the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) called “2007 State of the Market” we learn that there are multiple reasons for SEM spending growth. The reasons include advertiser demand, rising keyword and pay-per-click campaign costs, small-to-midsized business SEM use and increased behavioral and demographic targeting. (more…)

This is a quick call-out to OneDegree for adding WiderFunnel to their blogroll of Canadian Marketing and Communications Blogs.

Thanks Kate!