Search marketing certification in the West is well documented and supported by most search marketing organizations. However, in China the search marketing industry is still embryonic, so the need for a certification program to establish a skills level and professional competence is the first steps in promoting skills, knowledge and confidence for employers and clients.

In the past month SinoTech has validated through this certification program more than 100 people (outside the SinoTech group). The multi-choice exams are conducted online in Chinese and the exam is time limited to 30 minutes. This exam leads to a Chinese search marketing certification and the questions are specifically aimed at the search engines in China. You can read more about our certification program by visiting http://www.sinotechgroup.com.cn/certification/certification1.html

Beijing, China – 18^th July 2008 - SinoTech Group (www.sinotechgroup.com.cn), today announced its online learning group, will begin providing formal certification of training to search engine marketing (SEM) agencies, effective July 1, 2008. Further, DMS the largest integrated internet media, advertising, and technology group in Southeast Asia has successful achieved the first Gold Seal for Search Marketing.

Our SEO/SEM firm, SinoTech Search is a pre-eminent Search Marketing organization and has developed best practices in all aspects of search engine marketing and advertising. This certification process is a natural extension of this will provide interactive agencies that participate in our program with a means of showing they are up to speed on current SEM strategy,” says Dr Mathew McDougall, Group CEO and Executive Chairman.

In announcing the first Agency to successful achieve a Gold Seal, Dr McDougall said, “It is pleasing to see Agencies embrace this certification as it is better for all companies in Asian SEM/SEO to want to improve practices and skills”.

 “We love the idea of certification. The demand for search engine marketing and optimization continues to increase as marketers realize that when it comes to ROI, it is second only to email. Certification provides our agency New Media with yet another means of competitive differentiation,” says Grant Watt’s, CEO for DMS - the largest integrated internet media, advertising, and technology group in Southeast Asia.

“Agencies need to have a consistently high level of search knowledge in order to deliver the results their clients demand and the SinoTech Group Search Marketing exam is a great way to measure both basic and high-level knowledge, specific to the practices here in Asia. Having a certification seal adds real value,” says Mr Watts.

“The certification program are open to all search engine marketing, advertising, public relations, and interactive marketing agencies – basically any firm that needs to know best practices in search engine marketing in order to serve their customers well,” says Dr McDougall.

Agencies can qualify for the formal certification after 20 percent of their search marketing staff successfully passes the online exam. The exam has a pass level of 62% or higher in order to qualify for certification, explains Amy Dong, SinoTech’s Marketing Director.  

“In doing market research and talking to agencies we found a real desire to have an ‘instant differentiator,’ a seal of excellence that would help an agency distinguish itself against the competition by showing that a significant number of its employees are highly trained and skilled in search engine marketing” Ms Dong explains. “Agencies told us they liked the idea of certification, given the strong reputation of SinoTech Group in this area we have provided a measure to set high standards. 

Benefits
SinoTech Group is offering a Gold Seal level certification for agencies in which 20% to 49% of their search marketing employees pass the exam. There is also a Platinum Seal level for 50% or more employee participation and certification. Each agency application costs RMB250 and is valid for one year, after which agencies can re-apply. If there is turnover or attrition, agencies will participate in required additional training to maintain the minimum 20% employee participation requirement. 

Once an agency is certified, they will get a seal in electronic GIF form that they may use on their websites, blogs, email programs and other interactive media.

Chinese leading digital advertising company SinoTech Group (www.sinotechgroup.com.cn) has officially announced their Certification Program for the Internet Advertising technology and products. There will be two levels of certification focused on SinoTech partners and individual SinoTech professionals.

SinoTech Certified Partner Company program is designed specifically for Companies that want to work with the various SinoTech Group of companies. The Partner Program is expected to offer an integrated partnering framework that recognizes the partner company’s expertise and values to SinoTech. Currently the certification supports three Partner programs: SintoTech Search Partner, SinoTech Media Partner and SinoTech Digital Partner.

SinoTech Certified Professional Program certifies individuals as SinoTech professionals. The first individual certification is that of SinoTech Certified Search Professional. There’s a growing need in the Chinese search community for training that is both credible and that enhances performance of practicing search engine methods as part of their multi-channel marketing strategies. SinoTech Certified Search Professional is designed to help accelerate the process.

In discussing the certification program, Group CEO & Executive Chairman for the SinoTech Group, Dr Mathew McDougall said, “SinoTech certification represents credible technical knowledge achieved through experience and training. We can expect the Certification Program be recognized throughout the IT industry and create great value to our partners and professionals. Search engine marketing is the fastest growing direct marketing channel. We are pleased to contribute in the process by helping the certified partner increase their productivity with our more advanced SinoTech technology and solutions, and helping the certified professionals become more successful through recognized skills and knowledge.”