The global pandemic may have slowed down our lives, and we may have spent the last year procrastinating in our PJs and eating Nutella straight from the jar. However, while we were delaying all our chores, the digital world grew more rapidly than ever!
Yes, if there’s one good thing this pandemic has brought, it’s the fact that businesses have adapted to the digital realm.
There have been some major innovations in digital marketing because of these reasons. Some innovations have paved the way for greater marketing trends, while some have failed to provide substantial results.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most popular digital marketing trends that you simply can’t ignore in 2021 and beyond:
1. Live Video Streaming
We’ve seen many businesses shift from blogging to making videos because of the change in customer behavior over the past few years. Online users would rather watch a video tutorial than read a blog. However, the pandemic has also made way for live streaming.
According to research from 2020, the live streaming industry saw a 99% growth. From online zoom meetings to celebrity interviews on Insta Live, many businesses have taken advantage of this boom in the industry. Video communication is here to stay and grow even further, so you should probably consider incorporating it this year if you haven’t already invested in this area.
2. Audio Communication
Similar to live video streaming, online podcasts are also becoming increasingly popular. According to research, the number of monthly podcast listeners went up from 37% of US citizens to 41% of US citizens. So, needless to say, podcasts have become the in-thing to raise brand awareness and reach the masses.
In addition to building trust, you can also position yourself as an expert and market your brand to potential on-the-go customers. The importance of audio communication can also be determined by Twitter’s launch of audio-based Tweets last year or the massive success of the new social media app called Clubhouse.
3. Local SEO
Local SEO may be better than its older brother, broad SEO, and it is here to stay. Staying on track with Google’s constantly changing local SEO algorithm may be difficult in the initial stages, but it is worth the struggle. Did you know that 97% of online searches have local intent, and 88% of users tend to visit the local store or make a call?
Making a business profile on Google My Business and optimizing your content for locations may be the perfect way to increase traction. It is also good practice to include your location and timings on the webpage for a better customer experience.
4. Use of Artificial Intelligence
Digital marketers have realized the importance of AI with the increase in its use by competitors. Many corporations had been using AI to analyze customer behavior and predict future demands. However, now AI bots have become more inclusive in a digital marketing setting.
For example, the use of chatbots on websites is on the rise, and AI is also being used for customized email marketing and even content creation. According to a 2019 research, 75% of business executives said they fear going out of business if they didn’t scale AI technology.
By using AI technology, you can guarantee customer satisfaction with accurate suggestions and quick replies to their queries. Although AI has been around for some time, it is now on the rise as it risks serious competitor disadvantages.
5. User-Generated Content
User-generated content has been around for some time. However, it has recently been gaining a lot of attention. Because this type of content is more relatable than typical online ads, users tend to trust them more.
UGC is content in the form of reviews, videos, and podcasts created by a non-official brand representative. You might have heard of word-of-mouth marketing and its importance, and UGC is not any different. According to the State of User-Generated Content 2021 Report, 93% of marketers believe users trust content created by customers more than those created by brands.
Some of these digital marketing trends have been around for quite some time. However, they were not always given their due importance. Thanks to the global pandemic, more and more businesses are realizing the true potential of these marketing trends. Have we missed out on your favorite trend of 2021? Let us know in the comments section!
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