Year after year digital marketing changes, grows and evolves. As a result, it can sometimes be impossible to accurately predict what will happen next. However, when you have the knowledge and experience on your side like we do at Bolt Blue Web and Marketing SEO company Perth, it’s far easier to foresee the next big thing! Let’s take a look at what’s hot in digital marketing this year.
Augmented and Virtual Reality
Virtual and augmented reality are huge trends this year. Rather than being something for the few, these technologies are seeping into major brand marketing. Augmented reality (AR) alters or adds to the way we see the space around us whereas virtual reality (VR) creates a completely immersive simulated experience. AR and VR have so much potential in terms of enhancing the online shopping experience allowing customers to experience how products will look in their homes etc.
Video
Video content is enduringly popular with world audiences. TV is no longer drawing the huge crowds it used to in its heyday. Social networking and online streaming services are in everyone’s pockets via their smartphones. Additionally, smart TVs, games consoles, Apple TVs and so on are connected to the Internet. Interestingly, although advertising opportunities via these Connected TV apps are just beginning to gain momentum, it’s likely that throughout this year and the years ahead that they’ll be utilised significantly more.
There’s also Instagram TV (IGTV) that allows up to an hour of video content as opposed to Instagram stories that are limited in length and are only visible for a short period of time. Some of the big players like Gucci have begun to use IGTV. It’s likely that many others will follow suit.
Social Media
Everyone is well aware of social media. We all have Facebook, Twitter and so on. So, it stands to reason that it’s a perfect marketing channel for all types of businesses. With this in mind, what social media marketing opportunities should we be looking out for this year?
• Live streaming. Broadcasting live to customers and potential customers enables you to connect in a unique way.
• Micro-influencers. Rather than businesses reaching out to the Instagram users with the most followers, companies in the know are connecting to trusted profiles with fewer followers. They can then work with relevant Instagrammers for less of a financial layout.
• Social listening. Social listening allows businesses to crawl social media checking out references to their brands, products and so on. Social listening enables an in-depth understanding of the feelings and thoughts of consumers so businesses can harness lead generation and more.
Artificial Intelligence
AI may sound like something from a science fiction movie, however, we all use this technology regularly. Think of chatbots on business websites, WhatsApp, Facebook and so on and you’ll get the idea.
Voice Search
Who needs to type their questions into Google when they can ask their virtual assistant instead? They’re so easy to use that operating them is second nature – especially when shopping online. Experts say that it is only a matter of time before society comes to entirely rely on Cortana, Siri, Alexa and so on.
Interestingly, in terms of business, when you type a search term online, an unlimited number of results appear whereas when you ask a virtual assistant, you only get the top results. So, Google rankings matter now more than ever!
Digital marketing is changing rapidly. Bolt Blue Web and Marketing is the SEO company Perth people trust. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business succeed.
