Digital Marketing Trends Your Small Business Should Know About

Whether you're just starting up or you've been in business for a while now, you know you need a solid marketing plan if you want to be successful. But with so many new marketing innovations popping up in the past few years, there's a good chance your marketing plan needs an update. What's worked well for you in the past may not work as well for you now.

With more and more people spending more and more time on their laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, more sales are being made online than ever before. Now is the time to home in on and perfect your digital marketing strategy. Here are some of the leading digital marketing trends you need to be aware of in 2020.

1: Personalization

In today's world, consumers expect personalized marketing messages. One of the most popular aspects of personalized marketing is when customers are presented with product options based on their past buying or viewing behaviors. These recommendations boost sales by showing consumers products they're more likely to buy since they've shown an interest in similar items.

Personalized recommendations can be placed in ads, or even added to your emails. When a customer completes a purchase with your brand, it's crucial to stay engaged with them if you want to build a lasting relationship. By adding product recommendations to your email newsletters, you have the opportunity to help customers decide which of your products they want to buy next and promote revenue growth.

2: Chatbots

The more time a consumer spends on your website, the higher their expectations will be. While big businesses can afford to hire people to monitor and communicate with the visitors that come to their website, many small businesses cannot. But that's ok - there's a solution to this! Chatbots.

Chatbots are software programs that interact with your visitors in real-time. They can use either verbal interactions or chat windows to guide consumers around your website and through the buying process by answering questions. They're basically interactive FAQs.

Chatbots are active 24/7, providing quick answers to questions, and helping customers make decisions faster.

Chatbots can bring tons of value to a business. Some of their key benefits include generating leads and revenue, saving time and money, providing after-hours support, and guiding consumers to better outcomes. Check out our blog over what chatbots are and how to use them to learn more!

3: Social Messaging Apps

Social media apps have come a long way in the last few years, branching out from just being about friends and family, to growing strong roots in the business world. More and more businesses are starting to use these social media messaging apps, such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to communicate with their customers.

Messaging apps are becoming more beneficial and effective for businesses because they provide a convenient and easy way for customers to have direct contact with companies. These social messaging apps also allow for personalized marketing.

Here are just a few benefits social messaging apps provide:

• Provide customer support
• Establish contact with consumers and build relationships
• Educate customers about your business and products or services
• Regain potential customers
• Invite people to events
• Boost sales

E-commerce has grown exponentially over the years, and it's become not only more important but also more challenging to entice the visitors you need to increase your online sales. Social media marketing is an excellent way for you to bring in more customers. But if you don't know where to start, check out our guide to social media marketing.

Planning Your Marketing Campaign

Now that you know some of the leading digital marketing trends, it's time to get to work on your marketing strategy. Did you know that only half of all marketers have a formal marketing strategy? However, those who plan out and document their strategy are 5x more successful than those who don't.

Here are some benefits to planning your marketing strategy:

• You'll make a better impression
• You can boost your brand
• You'll be able to measure your success and stay on point

If you need help with figuring out what exactly marketing campaigns are and how to plan one - check out our guide!

Takeaway

These three trends are just a few of the many that come to mind when thinking of digital marketing innovations. Many digital marketing strategies are both affordable and accessible to small businesses. We hope that this overview has helped and can't wait to hear about the digital marketing strategies you come up with!

If you need help with digital marketing for your small business, feel free to reach out to us, we want to help your business grow and see the success it deserves!