The knowledge levels and the awarenesses of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Turkey about search engine optimization

This study aimed to determine the knowledge levels and the awarenesses of SMEs in Turkey about Search Engine Optimization. Determining this level is important especially for state institutions and IT companies that are dealing with SMEs . The first part gave some information about SMEs and the current situation of SMEs in Turkey. Also their internet usage patterns were also investigated. Afterwards, some information about search engines and search engine optimization were given. At the research part search engine usage and search engine optimization knowledge levels of SMEs were investigated. Open-ended questions were used to obtain the data. In the province of Beylikdüzü within 31 accessible SME owners or SME top managers were interviewed on the phone. The obtained data were evaluated by using content analysis method. According to analysis it is found that the knowledge levels of SMEs about search engine optimization and the search engine optimized web sites ratios were too low. Key Words : SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprise), The Importanceof SMEs in Turkey Economy, The Internet Usage of SMEs, Search Engines, Search Engine Optimization