Online marketing is ever-developing. What worked 5 years ago may not necessarily achieve the same results today. Algorithms have changed, and so has SEO companies. Plus there are hundreds of social networks out there. In the following paragraphs, we list what still works when it comes to bringing in internet traffic and increasing conversions:
Content is Still King
Nothing beats quality content, but new marketers need to be aware of Google’s two major updates – Panda and Penguin – that have changed the emphasis for high rankings.
Technicalities aside, the motivating factor behind all these developments stays the same: Be it blog posts, videos or info graphics, content should always entertain, educate, and enlighten. This is how search engines rank websites nowadays.
Increase in Mobile Internet Usage
Internet usage on handheld devices is growing by the day. In the next 5 years, it is estimated that 68% of America’s population will be using a smartphone. So any marketing strategy that neglects this market segment will always lose out. If you are creating a new website, make sure it is optimized for all major smartphone screen sizes. Unless users get the same experience on their mobile devices, you will find it difficult to achieve brand loyalty. (Check out our last post on Responsive Design)
Web Design Matters
This follows from the previous point. Simply having a business website is not for greater importance is placed on design and usability. And in the near future, only websites optimized for the mobile experience will be able to attract traffic consistently.
In addition, users do not want websites that load slowly. A delay of even a few seconds can cost you a sale. In fact, research shows that the average internet user doesn’t wait longer than 35 seconds for the page to load.
Video Marketing
YouTube is largely responsible for making videos a focal point of online marketing. More than a billion unique users visit YouTube each month. Internet users are watching more video than ever and they’re demanding more. Search engines like Google are also considering videos in the search results. These can include simply product information, demos, and even creative presentations. The logic is simple: people will always prefer watching videos over reading text. So videos always work. (Check out our Explainer Animation Videos at Media Whale)
Social Media Integration
Finally, social media presents a huge opportunity for small businesses to grow an audience with no location barriers. Integrating social media buttons on your content helps you find a wider audience that will “like” and “tweet” about your business.
These were just few of the major trends that define internet marketing today.
