If a company owner, especially one owning a startup, intends to be as successful as possible in the new year, it is crucial to take advantage of digital marketing and everything it has to offer. The idea of Internet marketing taking the reins and outshining print marketing is not as unusual as it might seem. Even before the pandemic, print marketing has already shown clear signs of aging, as it is not only expensive, but it is also unreliable.
On the other hand, digital marketing is handled in so many different ways that it can be quite easy to get overwhelmed. There are plenty of methods a company, new and old, can take advantage of digital marketing that it has an edge over traditional marketing from every angle.
With the pandemic continuing to cause trouble and potentially more lockdowns in the future, it is only natural to want to make use of digital marketing as much as possible. An understanding of the biggest trends can help many companies maintain their footing in the new year and potentially achieve breakout success. Here are just some of the top online marketing trends for 2021.
The focus on user experience (UX)
Without a doubt, the world search engine optimization (SEO) is dictated by the whims of the Google search algorithm. It means that every algorithm update is put under the microscope, as it could mean the difference between success and failure. As far as 2021 goes, there is a large update coming that serves as a potential roadmap for new digital marketing strategies.
The upcoming Google Page Experience Update is set to make waves by adding new factors to the algorithm. The new update is all about the page experience, which means user-friendliness could potentially be the new king of marketing. Fortunately, companies that follow many of the best-practice methods with search engine optimization likely already have a user-friendly primary website, though it never hurts to make further improvements.
For newer businesses, the roadmap is clear. When designing a website, the best thing to do would be to take the user experience to heart when making changes. For companies that have not yet made an effort to provide the best possible page experience, there is no better time than now.
Influencers and live-streamers take to the stage
While social media influencers have always had some level of influence with the dawn of the social media phenomenon, there is no denying that 2021 is the year of the content creator. Most digital marketing strategies make use of social media outreach to content creators, as having them on the side of the company is extremely beneficial.
For example, a company that wants to make waves with video marketing can go for YouTube, as it is one of the most popular video streaming websites around. YouTube is also quite generous when it comes to the number of content creators slowly but surely on their way up. Companies do not have to go for the biggest influencers off the bat as they can instead work toward building rapport with one of the underdogs. After all, subscribers are more willing to support their favorite creators, which increases the odds of a company converting curious online users into supporters.
The rise of convenience
It might seem like a strange notion, as convenience has always been the primary goal of the Internet and technology as a whole. That said, more and more online users are looking for convenience when availing of products and services online. With the pandemic still ongoing and most homeowners afraid of going out, the need for convenience and encouragement is at an all-time high.
To help fully utilize convenience as a new business, the secret of Internet marketing lies in respecting the client’s time. For example, a website that is fully optimized means quick loading times, as well as content that gets straight to the point. The main page that provides just enough information to tell online users what they need goes a long way to converting users into buyers.
The best part about pushing for convenience is the fact that it also means the company will naturally aim for simplicity. An optimized website does not need inspired designs to succeed. It only needs an eye for simplicity and the ability to give online users what they want.
Fitting with current trends and conversation pieces
One of the reasons why some of the larger brands see so much success in social media is that they somehow find a way to be a part of the current conversation. Whether it has to do with politics or the latest media sensation, a company that takes time to understand the current trends has already won half the battle. That said, it would still be a good idea to exercise caution, especially when it has to do with hot topics. While some might blame companies for fence-sitting, there is almost no choice but to do so, as choosing one side or the other could cause problems down the line.
The trick to fitting a company into trends and conversation pieces would be to maintain both consistency and professionalism. While it is never a bad idea to research with all the various trends popping up in 2021, there is no need to push a business to fit into an awkward topic.
How to make it through 2021
While the year 2020 was filled to the brim with challenge after challenge, 2021 has a unique set of challenges to overcome. In the case of business owners, it is all about understanding current trends and figuring out how best to fit the business. Internet marketing continues to grow in popularity, and its importance cannot be understated.
With print marketing slowly but surely on its way out, it is up to the company owner to take advantage of various SEO solutions to ensure that there is a solid digital marketing strategy moving forward. Otherwise, it will be much too challenging to compete with other businesses for the focus and attention of the target audience.
