Orlando, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/01/2015 -- More than ever, online search is playing an integral part in B2B (business-to-business) purchases. In a recent study, it was found that on average, B2B influencers do 12 online searches prior to visiting a specific brand's site. Just over 70% of searches started with a generic search – not a brand search.

What does this mean for marketers?

The Countess Group, an internationally recognized strategic marketing and communications consultancy, advises B2B marketers that in order to compete effectively, having a web site with appropriate keywords and using today's digital marketing tools is increasingly important – and should not be the only online presence for a business or non-profit.

"It means that not only do you need to have an online presence, but also that an online web presence should be supported by other tactics, such as email marketing, social media marketing, blogging, and public relations," said Ken Countess, The Countess Group's Managing Director, a Master Certified Constant Contact Platinum Solution Provider and Authorized Local Expert.

Countess notes: "The shift to online marketing is increasing at an increasingly rapid rate. It's not just the C-suite making purchase decisions now, either. Millennials, representing a larger segment of today's workforce, are becoming important influencers in the decision-making process, so it's important to be where they are – online everywhere."

Countess speaks regularly at trade shows, conferences, and Chambers of Commerce and seminars, demonstrating how attendees of his digital marketing classes can take advantage of this knowledge.

Interested parties can contact The Countess Group at 407-242-4200 or via email at info@thecountessgroup.com to learn more about how to book Ken Countess for upcoming events.

A schedule of onsite classes and online webinars open to the public can be found at http://bit.ly/marketingclasses.

The source of the data quoted above is the Google/Millward Brown Digital, B2B Path to Purchase Study, conducted in 2014.

About The Countess Group
The Countess Group (TCG) is a marketing and communications consultancy which has been providing strategic vision, tactical execution and measurable results for clients since 2001.

TCG provides value-added services such as:

· Strategic Marketing
· Marketing Communications
· Corporate Communications
· Email Marketing
· Social Media Marketing
· Public Relations
· Internet/Website Development and Optimization
· Customer Acquisition/Retention/Engagement
· Lead/Demand Generation
· Customer Relationship Management
· Sales Channel Development
· Sales Training and Support
· Trade Show Support

Now in its 15th year, the company is led by Ken Countess, an award-winning marketer and an accredited, nationally recognized expert on Email Marketing and Social Media Marketing. Ken's approach to educating audiences how to use email marketing and social media tools such as #LinkedIn, #Facebook and #Twitter to build their business has earned him the respect of loyal followers around the country.

Mr. Countess has held executive management positions at several Fortune 100 companies and has been a senior partner at Ascend Marketing, a 35-person marketing firm. While with such well-known companies as Motorola, Marriott, and Caremark (now CVS), Ken has been responsible for creation and delivery of multiple successful sales growth strategies, strategic messaging and communications, and change management programs for worldwide markets.

Learn more about The Countess Group at http://www.MarketYourBusiness.co (Editor's note: not .com). Find us on #Facebook (facebook.com/TheCountessGroup), #Twitter (twitter.com/CountessGroup), #Google+ (google.com/+TheCountessGroup), #Pinterest (pinterest.com/CountessGroup), #LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-countess-group-ccg), #Instagram (http:/www.instagram.com/countessgroup), and #YouTube (http://www.YouTube.com/CountessGroup

Company names, product names and brand names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Ken Countess
The Countess Group
407-242-4200
kc@thecountessgroup.com