We live in a new world of business. More people are working from home and shopping online than ever before. Businesses that run primarily from a brick-and-mortar location have even resorted to having some form of an online store, no matter the size or scope of the business. This is the era in which SMBs can substantially impact the world around them, provided they know current marketing trends. This is a new era of business, and these are the marketing trends for 2021 every SMB owner should know.
Smarter Content Marketing
There was a time when content marketing was just about sprinkling in a few keywords and getting views even when the keywords did not make exact sense. However, according to Google, this time has passed. Today’s content marketing strategies must provide more than just content. It needs to be engaging and conform to the new BERT system within Google. This sophisticated system can understand natural language in searches, creating a more open market for high-quality, engaging articles and content. Google’s algorithm now seeks out this type of content, and content marketers have to adjust.
Investing in High-Quality Design
The use of logos has always been a part of the business world. Your SMB probably has a well-designed logo representing your brand and what you stand for, but does it actually relate to our new, primarily digital world? If the answer is no, you might want to hire a new logo designer to make it more digitally appealing. Logos designed for the digital market are more appealing on a computer screen with colours that attract the digital market. It does not mean they do not look great on paper, but digital logo designers know how to create a better logo online and keep with current digital trends.
Chatbot Increase
Chatbots are not new in the world of content marketing. They were created in 2018 and used as an artificial way to provide limited customer service 24 hours a day. However, in our world today, where people desire immediate responses to their questions, chatbots have become even more essential to large business entities and SMBs. A chatbot enables you always to have a way to communicate with customers even when those customers are in different time zones and do not line up with your schedule. Chatbots have become far more sophisticated and easy to use for customers, and SMBs worldwide are integrating them into their websites and social media sites to help improve their global customer reach.
Live Video
Composed and well-produced videos still have their place, but in our society today, consumers want to know more about the business in terms of what actually takes place there. Live videos are the way to market your business today effectively. Live videos offer the chance to get up close and personal with products and services without editing to make them look a certain way. Although live videos can sometimes show certain negative aspects of business, it shows off the human side. Your followers will receive a notification when you go live on social media markets, providing an avenue of engagement traditional videos do not offer.
Voice Search Marketing
The invention of smart speakers and assistant programs on cell phones and mobile devices has given us a new avenue for marketing. This sector is called voice search marketing. It utilizes the same concept as a standard search engine search, but instead of relying on a user typing, they can speak what they need. Enabling voice search marketing for your SMB is a smart idea these days. With more voice activation software becoming available every day, you should definitely explore this avenue to grow your business in 2021.
Visual SEO and Search
Sometimes words cannot describe what we are looking for. There are some instances where an image will give a better description. In response to the need for this form of search, Google and search engines have begun implementing Visual SEO and Search tools. Users can upload any image from a phone, scanner, or anywhere else and produce a quality search. Investing in this form of marketing can be somewhat confusing for an SMB owner, but it is essential for growth in 2021. Imagine a user coming across your logo, taking a picture of it, and uploading it to receive information about your company. It makes perfect sense to invest in every form of marketing.
Marketing has certainly changed in the past few years. Traditional marketing tactics are still relevant in certain markets, but largely, SMBs are more reliant on modern, digital marketing strategies to get their name into the public eye. Investing in these trends will certainly help your SMB grow in the coming year.
Monday, July 5, 2021