If you want to be successful, you’ve got to think out of the box.
Take a close look at some of the biggest brands around the world. What’s making them successful?
They’re ahead of the game for a reason. First of all, you’ll notice that they have a plan to reinvent their digital marketing tactics.
They have the power to embrace change and realize what needs to be done to make the transition from being merely ordinary to extraordinary. And since the digital world is continuously changing, they understand that it’s no longer enough to use the same tactics year in and year out.
If you want to attempt to challenge the competition this year, you need to take a holistic approach. Capitalize on key marketing trends that include SEO, Social Media, Content Marketing, PPC, and much more. You need to boost brand awareness, increase sales, develop new ways to grow the business, generate leads, and enhance relationships with existing customers. Most importantly, you need to be aware of the latest trends.
Are you ready to survive in this thriving digital world? Here are some basic digital marketing tactics that you need to apply in 2019.
1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Global leaders like Amazon and Google are already maxing out on AI and machine learning, so this trend is here to stay.
Machine learning includes the use of AI (artificial intelligence) to allow systems to learn automatically from experience without the need to be explicitly programmed. The process initially involves using observations or collecting data to look for patterns. Predictions based on previous interactions are an important example of machine learning.
Since the primary aim is to promote computers to learn automatically without human intervention, this aspect of digital marketing is going to become quite popular in the coming years. The future of social media promises the application of bots to facilitate effective and effortless communication with visitors, viewers, and customers. In fact, experts claim that 85% of the interactions will be through bots.
In 2019, this technology is already influencing new sectors such as teaching and various aspects of banking and finance.
2. Augmented and virtual reality marketing
Augmented reality is a technology that enables computer-generated images to be superimposed on a user’s view.
Marketers can engage better with active buyers by creating a more realistic experience.
Businesses have been using this technology to improve brand awareness and customer experience, and it’s not likely that it will be going away anytime soon.
Examples of AR ads include Michael Kors asking people to ‘try on’ their sunglasses and IKEA allowing customers to place furniture in their homes before purchasing.
AR and VR are expected to improve the effects of ads and attract more visitors, both of which are essential to lure potential customers.
3. Video marketing
People are busier than ever, but they can afford to take a few minutes off- by watching a video.
Nearly 80% of them prefer to watch videos on the internet. Unlike written content, images and videos are more engaging and can generate a quicker response than a published post. They allow users to be more engaged with the content. And since social media is the fastest way to draw traffic to your site, videos on any of these platforms can reach a larger audience and boost conversion rates exponentially.
No doubt, video should be one of your digital marketing tactics this year.
4. SEO
SEO is moving at a fast pace. It’s not just blogs, articles, or web content that you need to focus on. Keywords, reputable backlinks, and the quality of the content on your website are still important. But the internet is saturated with information, so this year you’re going to have to find something different to say. It’s got to be concise yet niche-concentrated.
2019 brings with it a whole new set of rules when it comes to SEO. Not owning a mobile-optimized site with fast loading times could incur penalties from Google, for example, plus people are searching in different ways, on different platforms, and with different intentions. ‘Optimization’ is far more complex than it has ever been.
5. Mobile apps
The world is on the go. More people prefer to use smartphones over laptops. So you shouldn’t leave mobile technology behind. Currently, one of the most effective marketing tools is your brand’s mobile app. This is the chance to expand your business with apps that are more responsive and provide personalized content to match customer preferences.
6. Push notifications
One of the prevailing trends is to push notifications. These alerts or messages are sent to brand users, whether on a website or mobile app.
Companies can communicate clearly with customers to help retain them and increase conversion rates. One of the greatest advantages of app push notifications is that a user can receive messages on any device even when an app is not open at that time.
More importantly, push notifications can be used to target shoppers who have abandoned a shopping cart and entice them to complete their transactions.
7. Advanced searches
Current trends are demonstrating an increase in image and voice searches. Top brands are exploring both options to offer more affordable capabilities to their customers. Google is promoting image searches on mobiles, so businesses can now implement these services to enhance a customer search experience.
But presently, voice searches are undoubtedly rising in popularity. This is not something new. We are all familiar with Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. But by incorporating this feature in a brand, companies can make it easier for people to get instant answers from voice-activated queries. As a result, they can leverage these moments to cater to specific requirements and target leads to improve conversion rates.
8. Chatbots
Chatbots have been gaining traction over the last few years, and it’s become a favorite among customers. 45% of users prefer to use chatbots, claiming that they enhance customer service by resolving issues or answering questions.
On landing on a website, visitors are automatically asked via a chatbot whether they need assistance or additional information. It’s a way to welcome them to the site and open a dialogue. The visitor could then be referred to a company representative or redirected to other pages.
The last word
These are just a few of the points that you should be looking into. However, it’s pretty clear that the most popular digital marketing tactics of 2019 are focusing on enhancing the customer experience. What the customer wants is what businesses need to provide. It’s a win-win situation for both.
If you are planning to stay ahead of the competition, you need to sway customers towards your brand. Aim at building your online reputation. It’s the best way to increase customer trust, loyalty, and the growth of your business.
So, do you have what it takes to beat the competition?
Guest author: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on twitter: @michellejoe524