Search conversion rates - what's the benchmark

Conversion rates in SEM and SEO & Repeat traffic

[Whitey]

What are the benchmark conversion rates for successful SE marketing?

We're doing some research to re assess our sales conversion ratios in a highly competitive sector.

0.26% seems to apply equally to SEM and SEO
1.2% applies overall.

Which means bookmarks and repeat traffic are very valuable.

I think this is a lot lower than when we started several years back.

It put's a whole new meaning on customer retention!

[caveman]

Whitey I don't even know where to begin. First thought that comes to mind though, isthat it's very hard to generalize. We run lots of different sites. Conversion of 2% would be OK on one site, poor on another site, depending up the category, the nature and goals of the site, whether we're talking CT's on banners, Adsense, forms (and kind of form), etc. We have numerous sites with > 20% conversion.

There is simply no way to answer the question specifically, as posed.

Also, I doubt many in here would be willing to share their own numbers since they are proprietary, and that is one fo the great advantages of being a private company/operator.

Perhaps you should seek out general industry norms for the specific type of conversion you're referencing?