Next year is a new decade, and with it comes a torrent of new marketing trends. Digital marketing has a landscape that is always moving and ever-evolving. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you have to anticipate its changes and adapt. Read our digital marketing predictions to make sure our business is in the best position to take on 2020. 

Chatbots 

Automation is the name of the game in 2020. Chatbots have grown exponentially in the past few years both in ability and widespread use. Customers now expect immediate responses from the businesses they follow. Which is where Chatbots come in, their AI-based technology uses instant messaging to chat in real-time so you don’t have to. Consequently, freeing up your time for other pressing work. Customers can easily book appointments, request information and even make payments with the use of Chatbots. Stop losing customers to long wait times in 2020, be available 24/7 with a personalised Chatbot. 

Visual Content/ Video Marketing

In 2020 video marketing will continue to dominate. With 72% of businesses stating that video improved their conversion rates, it’s clear that video is a must-have for both B2B and B2C businesses. Now the most popular way for customers to learn about new products, incorporating video into your digital marketing strategy can be a great way to drive footfall to your website. You are no longer restricted to Youtube either, video is dominating on all platforms. 

With live broadcasts on Facebook, webinars on LinkedIn and live stories on Instagram, the focus is set to be on live and native content. Don’t confine yourself to social media channels either, according to Bluelist if your site includes video it is 50x more likely to drive organic search results, as Google ranks video-rich webpages higher. Embracing the video revolution is the key to success, Strive Digital can create content that help you stand out to market. If you want to be at the forefront of the conversation get in touch today. 

Voice Search 

Voice search is set to really take off in 2020, this year it accounted for 20% of all Google searches, a figure that is expected to rise to 50% by the end of next year. Consequently, companies are being forced to rethink their digital marketing strategies. Brands like Domino’s, PayPal, Patron Tequila etc. are already adopting voice search to create a unique and optimised customer experience. 

Overall marketing is moving towards a more conversational outlook and you should too, it’s a sure-fire way to foster relationships and build brand loyalty. With AI getting smarter and voice shopping expected to jump to £40 Billion in 2022, optimising for voice search is crucial. By beginning to write in a conversational tone and putting focus on keywords people are likely to speak, you can sow the seeds for tomorrow. 

AR/VR 

In 2019 Facebook predicted “VR as the next evolution of social messaging.” With both Facebook and Apple set to release AR glasses imminently, that evolution could be sooner than anticipated. Until this year augmented/virtual reality had not seen much practical application, which changed with Snapchat’s ‘Geofilter’ feature; their first foray into AR. A filter which captured the location of its user, allowing users to search location-based videos. It quickly followed this up with its viral age-modifying lens, sparking an interest in more immersive and interactive AR experiences. With AR glasses, Facebook’s ongoing investment in Oculus and rising customer awareness, it’s expected that in 2020 VR/AR will move from a consideration into a legitimate marketing tool. 

Content 

Content marketing goes a long way towards engagement, and now with 88% of B2B marketers agreeing that content marketing was imperative towards their audience viewing their business as a ‘credible and trusted resource’, there is more than one reason to make it a priority in 2020. It’s easy to get discouraged with the ever-changing rules of SEO, but Google still values regular, well written and researched content above all else. Content marketing has lower costs and deeper long term benefits than all other methods. So if you haven’t already invested in quality content, 2020 is the time to take the leap.

Get in touch today if you want a digital partner that can support you through changing digital marketing trends, ensuring your business always comes out on top. Browse the range of services we offer to help position your company for success in 2020.