Technology has shrunk the world, connecting people and places across geographies and making it far easier to share information than ever before. Digital marketing trends have evolved and there are amazing options available for companies to connect with new audiences, promote their products, or build brand loyalty.

If you are a digital marketer, you must keep up with new technologies in order to get an edge over your competition. Be aware of new tools, technologies, and platforms you can use, and find out how best you can streamline operations, improve customer relations, optimize leads and increase conversions. You have so many tools at your fingertips to grow your business, engage customers and retain them in long-lasting relationships!

Here are 12 digital marketing trends for 2020 you should watch out for:

1. Chatbots

Chatbots are effective software programs that interact with website visitors and customers, and answer questions in real-time. They sound so real that these days it is virtually impossible to know whether you are speaking to a chatbot or a real person. Using a chatbot frees up your resources, and is an inexpensive way to get common questions answered on your behalf. By using chatbots, you can save time, and get information out there that is clear and concise.

2. Private Messaging Apps

It is expected that more companies will start better use of private messaging apps in addition to WhatsApp, Viber and WeChat to connect with customers and as marketing tools. Private apps and messaging groups are being experimented with, and very soon, customers will be able to pay for products directly through messaging apps. WeChat, Venmo, and PayPal users are already using money transfer apps to transfer money to their peers and this will become more common.

3. Advancements in SEO

There are many tech advancements in the search engines industry that affect user search results, primarily the BERT update from Google, which has made inroads into searches using natural language processing. Google’s search engine is improving in terms of its understanding of complex nuances of language and the searcher’s intent.

This means that in order to improve your rankings, your website content must be written well and should be clear. Answer questions that people may have about your product or services in a clear logical manner. Write content in the way that people would find useful. In 2020 and beyond, the quality of searches will become more user-related.

4. Greater Degree of Personalization

Customers are given personalized experiences and messages that are delivered when they are most relevant. Amazon, Target, Netflix, Nike, and Spotify have the technical prowess to deliver experiences that are based on user history and preferences. For instance, Amazon analyses your past purchases, while Netflix gives suggestions based on what you have viewed in the past. This helps to get more customers and increase sales. Consumers expect and demand some degree of personalization, and it is expected that by 2021 there will be more fully personalized websites than ever before. Customised email campaigns that are targeted to niche customers will result in greater conversions.

5. Improvement in Targeted Advertising

If customers are made to view popup ads that they have absolutely no interest in, they would probably find it very annoying…but if they see ads that are based on their past searches or browsing history, then they may well make a purchase. If you consistently put out great content, and send across tailored messages, you will find that at least a third of your viewers will respond by buying the product. By the year 2020, most companies will be targeting niche focussed audiences, and users will only be viewing and responding to ads that matter to them.

6. Voice-Powered Searches

More people will be using voice assistants on their smartphones and tablets, and features like Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby and Siri will be very useful in digital marketing. Voice powered search optimization will become more significant, and it is important to create content that is geared toward what people would ask rather than what they would type out in a search. For instance, people tend to use longer keywords and complete sentences when talking, so search engines should be more tuned to conversational search queries and questions, rather than phrases that are typed in.

7. Authentic Relationships with Brands

People would like to invest in brands that are valued, and if you can form an authentic relationship with your end user you will increase your sales figures exponentially. For instance, an influencer on Instagram can help to promote your brand, simply by posting about it and telling their followers how much they enjoyed using it. Customers want brands to show that they’re listening to them and taking their ideas, feedback, and criticism into consideration. Social media interactions are therefore very important in building up a rapport with your customers. You can post videos as well, to increase audience engagement and build up a two way customer dialogue online. This way you can connect with your target audience, form highly genuine relationships, and grow your business.

8. Transparent Dealings and Honest Content

Companies  that are completely honest and transparent in their dealings, and deliver on their promises are more likely to retain at least 94% of their customers, as shown by a research survey. With the enforcement of the GDPR in 2018, it has become imperative that companies handle customer data in a transparent manner. You will be required to be completely open and honest on what kind of information is being shared to promote your brand. Make sure that you establish your company’s core values, and respond immediately to any concerns clients may have.

9. Use a Single Marketing Software Provider

There are many benefits to paying for and using a single marketing tool, such as HubSpot , Marketo, Pardot, and ActiveCampaign. It is good to have all of your marketing tools under one umbrella, as you can reduce repetitive work, streamline all your marketing efforts, ease documentation efforts and make customer management far more reliable.

10. Artificial Intelligence as a Marketing Tool

Artificial Intelligence has infiltrated the world of digital marketing as well, and AI uses a combination of different features such as chatbots and voice assistants to find answers and work behind the scenes on your behalf. AI robots can use sensors and human inputs to gather facts about any situation. They also store the search data to improve future user experiences.

11. Increased Digital Marketing Spend

With so many obvious benefits to be had from leveraging the latest tools and technologies in digital marketing, by 2020 and through the next few years, the global digital software industry has been predicted to grow by close to $75 billion, with at least 87% of marketing budgets spent on digital marketing. Agile marketing, a form of marketing that iteratively measures how a company achieves its goals, will come to the forefront. Growth in digital marketing is directly equated to the speed in which new products and services are developed and distributed.

12. Customer Retention will be the Focus

It’s also expected that companies will spend more time and effort on retaining their existing customers, rather than reaching out for new ones. It is far easier and more cost–effective to keep existing customers happy through loyalty programs and good service, rather than targeting new customers. You can also get word-of-mouth referrals from old customers, which will lead to more loyal customers in the long run.

Are you looking at putting together a marketing strategy that keeps up with future and upcoming trends? Do reach out to MWT Technologies; we will work with you in creating business growth through the right Digital Marketing campaigns!

Reference: Elearning Development