Digital marketing has come a long way. With the pandemic’s outbreak came mandatory isolation, and the internet and digitization became indispensable.
2020 saw unprecedented levels of digitalization. It’s all online now. Working from home became trendy, as did virtual parties and online classes. With so much going on, marketing trends will undoubtedly change in the future.
That’s why it’s critical to keep up with market trends. It’s difficult to stay ahead of the competition without it. So here are some powerful marketing trends to keep up with your competitors. Let us see what they are.
Voice Search
People are slowly becoming accustomed to the convenience of using technology to simplify their lives. People nowadays love how Alexa, Google Home, and other virtual assistants help them play music, turn on various devices, schedule meetings, add items to their shopping cart, etc. without having to type a single word.
This clearly shows how voice search is gaining popularity and will soon take center stage. According to reports, 22% of Americans have purchased something online using their speaker, and that number is rising daily. Also, voice shopping will grow by 40% by 2022.
So, if you haven’t enabled voice search on your website yet, now is the time. Don’t forget to optimize your images for Google so they appear instantly when a customer searches for your products.
Use of Influencers
Using influencer marketing can also put you ahead of your competitors. It’s a great way to reach new audiences, build brand awareness, and increase ROI.
Previously, only famous people could influence people. Influencers don’t have to be celebrities anymore. As an alternative, they can be well-known Youtube and Instagram personalities. Because of their huge fan base, it’s easy to reach a wide niche audience. Influencer marketing works well because it promotes your business without appearing too promotional. People trust such content.
But to get the most out of influencer marketing, you need to know who to target. Study an influencer’s engagement metrics before approaching them. Observe their audience engagement. This will help you authenticate them. Before deciding if they are the right influencers for your business, look at their technical skills and communication style.
User-generated Content (UGC)
If you sell products or services online and haven’t used user-generated content yet, you should start now. Most buyers look for social proof before buying a new product. Product reviews, positive ratings, and recommendations are examples. But nothing works better than user-generated content.
Many marketers already use this strategy. This tactic is here to stay as a powerful strategy in the future.
Your customers always research before buying. UGC helps them understand the product and what to expect when they receive it. These contents are not promotional because they are created by your existing customers. People trust such content for this reason.
Your user-generated content will include both positive and negative reviews. Using them unfiltered on your site makes you appear more transparent. It’s a great way to gain user trust and credibility.
Social Commerce
Social commerce is another brilliant marketing trend that will keep you ahead in the digital world. Within the native social media experience, you can buy products from a third-party company. So, if you’re on Facebook, you can browse, compare, and buy products without leaving your profile.
More and more businesses are using social commerce to maximize their growth and profit. With no need to switch tabs, the risk of user abandonment is reduced.
Visual Search
Visual search, introduced in 2001, isn’t as popular as other forms of marketing. Nevertheless, it is a major marketing trend in the digital world. In this type of marketing, people search using images rather than text.
This makes online shopping even more convenient. Users can simply take a picture of what they want to search for and Google will return hundreds of results. Using Bing visual search, Snapchat camera search, Pinterest lens, etc.
So, if you want to stay ahead of the competition, use visual search. Ensure your products appear in visual search results. Use structured data for your images so Google can quickly identify them.
In Conclusion
So there you have it – 5 key digital marketing trends to keep you ahead of the competition. To stay ahead of the curve as a marketer, you must constantly adapt to changing trends. Knowing the current and future market trends can help you develop a solid strategy to grow your business, increase conversions, profit, and ultimately give you an edge over your competitors.