As we get closer to the new year, the interest in digital marketing trends reaches new heights; and 2020 has been, so far, full of uncertainty and challenges for everyone, including marketers. Companies are slowly recovering from the unexpected hit due to the pandemic, and they are looking forward to seeing growth in their profits in the next year.
We could say that many enterprises are cautiously optimistic, but they also need to be ready and understand the trends. So, what is 2021 going to look like for digital marketing? Read on as we explore seven trends and recommendations for the upcoming year.
- SEO still reigns
Search Engine Optimization still reigns as one of the most effective digital marketing techniques. What to expect from SEO? First, a greater emphasis on off-page and technical strategies that make life better and faster for your site visitors. Next year, your content needs to rank well, and for that, it should load well and be easy to find and use. Voice search is an essential feature, as currently, about half the world’s population uses some form of voice search—and the number is expected to grow. Web users want their answers fast, so featured snippets are also a great way to respond to their needs.
- Have you tried interactive content?
In 2021, brands will need to focus more on content strategies. With omnichannel SEO growing in popularity, digital marketers will need to create content for all channels. But perhaps a trend that will grow stronger next year is interactive content. Adding various interactive parts and elements to a website will enhance engagement for customers. Interactive marketing includes quizzes, games, polls, surveys, and contests, and it helps you increase your reach faster than ever. er
- A good year to redesign your website
So, maybe your website needs a redesign. If that’s the case, then 2021 is the year to do it. The modern website is now coded on CSS grids with a voice user interface (VUI), SEO elements, and data-centric design to better engage with your visitors. Next year’s websites will feature more media (videos, illustrations, GIFs, animations) but also useful tools such as chat-boxes, landing pages, and social media in the design. And it’s also important to ensure your website is encrypted.
- Social media stays strong
As more and more customers are relying on social media channels for customer service, social media marketing will experience changes in 2021. So, if you haven’t done it yet, you will need to inform your customers that they can contact you on your social media platforms. However, some trends remain the same: influencers and brand ambassadors will continue to be a great way to amplify your social media reach. A quick tip: advertising via messaging apps on social networks will grow even more next year, so ensure you connect with your customers on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other similar apps.
- People don’t need irrelevant ads
Usually, when web users are shown ads that are related to their lifestyle (or favorite brands) they most likely click on the targeted ad. However, if the ads are not relevant, you won’t achieve a conversion. Recent research shows that buyers are reluctant to click on ads that relate to their recent browsing activity. What you can do is choose custom intent keywords, advertise to users who are researching similar products, implement remarketing techniques, and advertise to similar audiences. Don’t let your customers disregard your brand based on irrelevant ads.
- Consider Google verified listings
If you’re a local business that needs to go digital and establish trust in their community, then 2021 is the time for you to list essential information about your company. Don’t shy away from sharing your updated geographic location, contact info, address, hours (especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic), and even star rating. Listing is one of the most important things you can do to draw customers on a local level.
- Know CRO best practices
Today, with the increase in automation and new advertising channels, conversions are more crucial than ever. And businesses that know how to apply conversion rate optimization (CRO) best practices will reap the benefits to increase their ROI in the upcoming year. This means that you need to be prepared to get more out of your website traffic and engage consumers to purchase or download your products when they reach your website. In applying best practices, you will also enhance the user experience.
Conclusion
Many companies are optimistic about the upcoming year. And rightfully so. If businesses keep up with digital marketing trends and adopt new strategies, their growth will be guaranteed. And what better way to prepare for an uncertain future than by learning more about the upcoming trends?
