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By Michael Ginzburg
Google`s premier of desktop search proves that the desktop is an extremely
valuable marketing real estate. Google, which holds about 75% of the Internet
search market, just introduced "Deskbar" – a small desktop application that
allows users to search Google directly from their desktops. Google currently
rules the Internet, but positioning themselves on the desktop gives them the
power to rule not only the Internet, but also the entire personal computer.
Unlike other interactive marketing avenues, such as website and email, the
desktop is virtually free of advertisements and promotional materials. The
desktop is competitor free and just waiting to be claimed.
The advantages of desktop search are not limited to Google and their major
search engine competitors though. Any website with search technology can take
advantage of this new marketing channel including e-commerce and shopping
websites, reference sites, online magazines and news sites, and more.
So, if you have content on your site that visitors or clients are interested
in searching through on a regular basis, what better way to keep them coming
back for more than offering them a desktop search tool? If you could offer
them a useful downloadable desktop search application, you could ensure that
they will remember you and search your site before your competitors.
Developing a desktop search tool yourself would be quite costly. Luckily,
there is a ready-made desktop search tool that can be customized to work with
any website`s search.
PromoClock has developed a new desktop search technology that turns your one-
time visitors into steady traffic by allowing them to search your site
directly from their desktops. To search your site, users simply type their
search terms in the desktop search box and click on the "search" button.
Users keep the search box running in the background at all times – giving
them constant reminders and opportunities to search and patronize your site.
PromoClock`s desktop search box is not just a simple search tool. It is a full
marketing application that brands and promotes your website directly on
desktops. Each Search Box can be custom designed based on your logo, website
images or even Flash presentations. Further enhance your desktop search box
with custom menu entries, banner ads and even your own desktop icons. You may
also send time-sensitive alerts for added usefulness and advertising exposure.
Alerts can include site related tips, product coupons, company news, event
notifications and more. For sites looking to entice users with more than just
a desktop search, PromoClock is also a useful desktop alarm clock that tells
time and activates personal alarms.
So has Google claimed the desktop search? Maybe for now, but with PromoClock`s
easy and inexpensive desktop search box, other sites will be soon to follow.
Copyright 2001, SmallBiz Publishing.
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