There’s no doubt the Internet plays an important role in the lives and businesses of many. In fact, just under 90% of adults in the United States access the world wide web. And the amount of time they spend online supports the requirement for digital marketing in 2018.
The problem is that much has changed over the last two decades in terms of online marketing, and not everyone is keeping up. This results in lost income, brand reputation and even local, walk-in sales.
What can you do to keep your website and business relevant for 2018 in terms of digital marketing?
1. Consider Increasing Blog Output
Blogging is more than just someone sitting at home sharing their experiences. It’s a method in which many companies have increased response rates from consumers. In fact, about 60% of businesses acquire more customers through active blogging.
It’s all about connecting with the audience, sharing and providing something for “free.” In this case, it’s information. It also demonstrates professionalism especially when you provide answers to visitors with questions regarding topics, products or services.
For example, creating a “how-to” article on something you provide engages and pulls potential customers in from search engines like Google.
2. Add More Video Content
Video content of any kind vastly increases engagement and responses from consumers. Consider how 55% of people online watch videos every day. To put this into perspective, roughly 2.4 million people will watch a Facebook video before you’re done reading this post.
If you really want to get the attention of people, produce live videos. People spend three times longer watching something that is live as opposed to a saved recording. This is one of the reasons why YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook and Periscope are quite popular among many.
Live videos simply connect with an audience better.
3. Use Email Automation
Believe it or not, email is still one of the most prominent and cost-effective forms of digital marketing. Approximately 80% of retailers admit how email marketing is the greatest asset to customer retention.
Email automation takes a lot of the workload off your shoulders and simplifies the process. Let’s face it, no one wants to write and send a thousand individual emails everyday.
If you use something like VPS hosting, it may be easy to set up on your own.
4. Personalize the Customer Experience
Personalization is a process in which you turn the interaction into a customer experience. Some brands already do this such as using actual names in emails or providing products on a page customers are most likely to buy.
From a consumer point of view, about 64% of them want personalized offers available. This means you may essentially boost your reputation with about two-thirds of your customer base just by delivering that experience.
5. Always Monitor SEO Practices
Search engine optimization is an ever-changing monster. However, it’s vital you continuously monitor the tweaks and changes sites like Google put into place.
Think of the “Google Panda” update which first hit searches in 2011. This was the update that began scouring the Internet looking for quality over quantity. The end result was many websites sinking drastically in search pages.
Those who saw the SEO update coming prepared themselves and suffered far less damage in the results page.
6. Take Social Media a Step Further
Social media has a critical role in branding. Unfortunately, not enough businesses use social media to its fullest capacity. Get more out of the process by:
- Engaging in conversation with fans.
- Sharing more business-related information and make people feel like they are part of something big.
- Give a shout-out to audience members by re-commenting on their comments.
- Integrate customer support channels within social media.
Understand your audience and what platforms they use.
7. Promote Authenticity for Your Brand
Authenticity for the brand is of great importance in today’s digital marketing trends. In reality, as many as 86% of consumers value authenticity when it comes to making purchases and giving support.
For instance, businesses and professionals who own their mistakes publicly are often considered authentic. Replying to comments and reviews and addressing each individually also shows engagement. In other words, you can’t rely on being a faceless corporation.
Connect with and build a community to build your brand.
8. Look Closer at Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is when you align your brand with someone who has a major following on social media. This can be a Hollywood celebrity or a popular YouTube creator. In either case, influencers have great potential to improve brand awareness and boost sales.
Take into account how two-thirds of consumers trust opinions of products and services that are posted online. This is a double-edged sword, though, as a negative experience from an influencer has potential to be just as devastating to a brand.
9. Don’t Underestimate Mobile Marketing
If you haven’t invested in mobile development and marketing yet, you’re surely missing out. Mobile use is a continuously growing market and you need to have strategies in place to engage those users.
When it comes to Internet access, mobile devices make up more than 50% of the traffic. This means your site needs to be ready for smartphones and more efforts put into SMS text messages or apps for further engagement.
You want the business to be easily accessible from the pockets of consumers.
10. Always Keep Your Eye on the Data
Data is, and always has been, a critical element to developing marketing strategies. While some think it’s often tedious to monitor the numbers, it’s often more likely to lead to smarter decisions and better performance.
For instance, heavy website traffic through VPS hosting is easily tracked through platforms like Google Analytics. But what about marketing campaigns? If you want a high return-on-investment for marketing strategies, you need to keep an eye on what works the best for your consumers.
Stay Ahead of the Game, or Get Left Behind
Keeping your thumb on the pulse of top marketing trends is the best way to stay ahead of the competition. The moment you think you can relax is when something new comes out which others will take advantage. Don’t get left behind because of out-date practices and beliefs. Every dollar not spent with you is one that goes to someone else.
