Technological trends for Digital Marketing in 2018

The most recent digital marketing trends and advances not only prepare us for any changes within a specific market but help to establish a comprehensive marketing strategy – designed to increase visibility and maximize revenue.

Google and Microsoft that used to be mobile-first companies are turning the wheel to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms are continuously pushing updates to adapt to the changes within the industry.

Video

#Video may not sound much of a tech trend, but video content is taking precedence in 2018. For those with Facebook accounts, how often do you scroll past news articles but watch a video for the first few seconds or more? To put it into perspective, YouTube is the second most ranked site after Google.

By 2020, it’s estimated that online videos will make up more than 80% of all consumer internet traffic. The increase in video content has been identified by the likes of Facebook and Instagram, implementing ‘stories’ to their apps.

In 2017, 90% of all content shared by users on social media was video. The biggest challenge is how you can capture your audience’s attention in the first 3 seconds.
No #content is more eye-catching than that of video content, used to amplify your brand and spread your reach. This form of marketing provides ample opportunities for your business to stand out, before all brands turn to video content to communicate with their prospects.

As the innovation in video algorithms keep improving, video will keep growing more valuable for generating engagement and growing audience. Your content can take many diverse forms, including office views and even live streams.

Stories

Stories are an interactive method of communication that many companies are looking towards.
After the successful launch of Instagram stories in 2016, accumulating over 250 million active users in just one year, it is predicted that stories will become the foundation to digital marketing strategies in the future. #Facebook has only recently followed suit, installing stories to their platform in late 2017. Today, with consumer data so readily available and competitors fighting for consumer attention, brands are expected to become transparent – sharing their services, teams and even behind-the-scenes footage.

Nothing is secret in the digital age, and we can use this to our advantage.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is a trend emerging in almost all business sectors. Users spend an average of 69% of their media time on their phone, according to recent reports.
In the next year, it’s said mobile traffic will drive 80% of all global internet usage. It would be madness to ignore these statistics. Pokemon Go is credited with the trend, with more than 650 million downloads in the first week of the AR app launch. IKEA also offers an AR app for shoppers, allowing them to place furniture around their house before buying.

Voice Search

With the launch of Home – Google’s voice-activated speaker – in 2017, Voice Search is taking center stage within the digital marketing industry. A recent survey suggested that 50% of Google searches will be conducted by voice in 2020, and it’s high-time to tap into the market.
This exciting new world may seem intimidating, but there are basics to ensure our brand appears in the voice search.

Google Home pulls answers from #Google, so traditional SEO digital marketing strategies will continue to work well. Keyword research will be vital to ensure our stay at the top of the page.

Chatbots

#Chatbots are a form of automated marketing that we associate with the likes of customer service.
However, with consumers expecting and, quite often, demanding answers there and then – we predict the number of brands using the bots will rise. They deliver information in real time and are a fantastic method of digital marketing help. Chatbots give brands the chance to interact quickly with their audience in a way that feels personal.

As bots become smarter and more human-like we can customize our brand voice and send personalized messages directly to users.

The digital marketing industry is ever-expanding and innovative, with brand-new methods of communication and tools to compare competitors regularly appearing. Even the likes of content marketing – a traditional marketing strategy – will become more user-centric and personalised in the future, and we must be willing to adapt.

For those unwilling or not prepared, they will notice a drop in rankings and visitors. However, incorporating the trends will ensure you stay at the top of your field.