The year is well upon us and if you're not optimizing your business with the latest digital marketing trends, you're missing out on website traffic, leads and conversions.
While core digital marketing and specifically inbound marketing principles remain the same, there are more tools and strategies available to businesses than ever. The good news for you is that we stay on top of the latest digital marketing trends and we are going to share that information with you today.
Continue reading this article to learn about the top five digital marketing trends of the year and how you can implement them in your business.
Can't Miss Digital Marketing Trends
While there's always something new popping up, we're bringing the most important information to your attention. The following trends are things that will actually move the needle in your business success.
1. Chatbots
Brands big and small are turning to chatbots for the ability to answer their customer's pressing questions without having to have a live person on call 24/7.
Even though people know they're talking to a bot, as long as it answers their questions effectively and points them in the right direction -- they are good to go.
There are a lot of effective ways your business can use chatbots to increase conversions. Before you start using chatbots, it is wise to understand how your potential customers are using your website.
Without knowing how people are using your website, chatbots won't be as effective. Replay sessions from anonymous visitors to see how they interact on your site. You may be able to see where a large number of people get stuck and be able to give them a prompt to help them through the site to the information they are searching for.
Chatbots can do more than just help answer questions and get people from one piece of information to another. Chatbots are also used to qualify leads, help people through the shopping process and more.
2. Personalization
Personalization is more than just putting people's names at the beginning of an email. "Hi, Tom!"
With 90% of people finding personalization appealing when implemented in marketing, your company needs to learn how to get good at this strategy.
If your brand is spewing shotgun approach ads online, you may have noticed that this strategy is less and less effective. You've likely already created one or more buyer personas to begin the personalization process but you might not be sure how to start.
One of the best ways to start using personalization is by segmenting your email list. Make sure you have leads and buyers on different lists.
People that have bought from you before are much more likely to pull out their credit cards and purchase from you again. You will use a different strategy when marketing to previous buyers but never assume they don't need to be courted and wooed.
Create an email follow up series full of value after they purchase your product or service if appropriate. If your product or service is complicated, there may be bite-size training videos you can share with them to help them as they are learning how to use it.
Product recommendations that are specific to the customer and their needs is another great way to use personalization. If someone bought a juicer, they might also find it helpful to have a juicing recipe book to go with their new purchase.
3. Video Marketing
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time that video is taking over the internet. There are more ways to use video than to slap up tutorial videos on YouTube.
Some of the other things you can do with video include but are not limited to:
- Influencer interviews
- Event videos
- Company culture videos
- Webinars
- Customer testimonials
People like to watch video more than they like to read many times which is why creating video is worth it. You can also caption the videos if you're worried people won't have sound on for the video.
The trick is to make sure that your video is visually appealing to catch the viewer but meaty enough to keep them once they click. They should be able to understand what is happening with or without audio.
4. Artificial Intelligence
If you've ever been stuck trying to go through countless bits of information -- rejoice! Artificial intelligence (AI) is here and can rescue you from that mountain of data.
When you have a complicated problem that requires you to go through countless data entries, you'll be able to use AI to do this work for you. AI can even perform some tasks that are normally performed by humans.
Instead of having a human in place to do monotonous and near-mindless tasks, you can use AI.
5. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Augmented reality and virtual reality isn't just for video games anymore. Marketers are getting in on this trend.
Imagine being able to let a customer use your product before they get it -- through the internet and these technologies.
Augmented reality allows you to insert objects into a live setting. For instance, you could see how a new piece of furniture would look in your living room before you buy it.
Virtual reality allows you to create a whole new immersive environment that can allow a user to see how it would be if they were actually using the product or service.
Growing Your Business Using Digital Marketing
Now that you know about the above digital marketing trends, you can start implementing them in your business right away. Knowledge without action doesn't give you power.
If you don't have the time or resources to start implementing the above tips, we can help. We offer an array of digital marketing services that will help you boost your business to the next level of visibility.
No digital marketing campaign is complete without a solid strategy, plan, and execution roadmap. That is where the HIVE GrowthPlan comes in! Get a fully customized and executable digital strategy document to set you up for success!