If you’re wondering about how to utilize digital marketing this year to grow your business, look no further.
Below, we have an informational guide on what digital marketing trends you should focus on and which trends you should move past in 2017, to help you make the most of your marketing approach.
Digital Marketing Trends in 2017
To help your company thrive, you should look forward to what key digital marketing trends and technology are most important this year.
1. Strategic Content Marketing
Content marketing as been at the top of the list for several years now, and that is going to continue in 2017.
Last year, 67% of businesses confirmed that they are creating more content, but only 11% feel that they truly optimized the strategy.
This is the year to use a more strategic approach and find the quality and visibility that you are looking for because content marketing has shown that it is not going anywhere.
2. Big Data
Big Data marketing relies on customer insight and a predictive analysis to answer the marketing questions that you want to know.
It can help you find a better understanding of the customer needs and help you optimize business processes.
Managing activity data and conservation data is no easy feat, but it will truly help you increase views and sales. Therefore, this is the year to finally understand and utilize Big Data.
3. Marketing Automation
Marketing automation has also been in the top trends for the past few years, and it will continue in 2017 as well.
Automation can keep up with email and social media campaigns automatically while helping you organize and manage your time more efficiently.
If you place the optimization of marketing automation on your list this year, you will truly find more time to focus on growing your business.
4. Mobile Marketing
As mobile phones continue to offer faster information, they will be more integral to digital marketing in 2017.
In 2016, 54% of homes reported that they no longer have telephone landlines, while 48% of women say their phone was their top item to have with them at all times.
Consumers will continue to increase their mobile dependency, so it will be up to you to take advantage of that market and apply adaptive mobile design approaches this year.
5. Social Media Marketing
Social media will remain vital to digital marketing this year, as it allows companies to engage with consumers.
There are over 2 billion social media users, so taking advantage of social media will help you expand your reach and generate more traffic.
Focus on consistent, relevant content and you will achieve the awareness that you’re looking for.
6. Internet of Things Marketing
Now is also the time to utilize the Internet of Things in your digital marketing strategy.
IoT allows you to connect to all digital devices for engaging the consumers and spreading your message on every platform. It can also help you analyze your audience base and develop consumer insight for better sales.
As 51% of the top global marketers expect IoT to revolutionize digital marketing by 2020, you must jump on the wagon this year.
7. Search Engine Optimization
Google is headed towards a mobile world with personalized searches, as demonstrated with their recent announcements about mobile index and AMP.
For you, this means that you must pay more attention to SEO. It will help you rank above the competition and increase traffic to your website.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality
2017 will be the year for advancing technology, and how digital marketing will incorporate that technology into the strategy. The top trends to watch out for will definitely be AI and VR opportunities.
Artificial intelligence is technology devoted to making machines intelligent, which will allow you focus on creating personal, relevant connections with consumers.
Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of an environment, which will allow you to truly tap into consumer emotions.
Both types of technology will allow you strengthen consumer needs and capture their attention like never before, so you must start watching the trends now.
9. Influencer Marketing
On the rise are influencers, and how they will shape the future of digital marketing this year.
Brand Influencers are peer advisors and trend-spotters who help companies attract better customers and increase sales. In fact, influencer marketing is even starting to outpace organic search and email marketing.
10. Visual Marketing
Last but not least, you must take advantage of images and videos this year.
3 billion images and videos are shared online every day, so you must learn how to strategically involve them in your digital marketing campaigns. This is especially important for the younger generations who respond to visual media.
New visual platforms will roll out this year, including several changes in social media, to help companies like yours to evolve towards visual storytelling.
End These Digital Marketing Trends in 2017
On top of what trends you should incorporate this year, here are the trends that you should stop focusing on in 2017.
While Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram are continuing to grow, Twitter use is starting to decrease compared to previous years.
While the company has incorporated new flexibility strategies to increase users, it had to cut 300 jobs last year, with more expected this year.
Big Banner Ads
While big banner ads used to be an ideal digital marketing tool, that is no longer the case.
Other digital marketing tools, such as native advertising, are starting to take over. Mobile marketing adaptation will take strength away from big banner ads as well.
Stock Images
Stock images are no longer driving in awareness as businesses turn to more personalized images and videos for an authentic identity.
Personalized visuals will also help companies improve content performance through consumer engagement.
Fake Reviews
The previous digital marketing approach placed emphasis on fake reviews, but that is no longer the case.
The majority of consumers favor authentic, personal recommendations over fake reviews. It should also be noted that Amazon tends to file lawsuits against companies that publish fake reviews, and more companies will follow suit.
Popup Ads
Last year, Google announced that they would penalize websites who use pop-up ads and boost the rankings of websites who remove them.
With this information in mind, you should have no problem in developing a strong digital marketing strategy for your company.
Have you incorporated these digital marketing trends into your marketing approach? What tips would you give to someone new to digital marketing?