Marketing is evolving faster than ever with the introduction of new apps, social networks, and the widespread availability of smartphones. Not only are companies creating and executing their own marketing campaigns, customers are now empowered to build their own brands and command their own audiences.
Here are three major marketing trends we’ve noticed in 2015. If you haven’t been paying attention this year, it’s not to late to take note for the second half of the year.
1. Mobile
As consumers are increasingly using mobile devices, companies have started adapting with their websites to be mobile-friendly and developing apps which are optimized for smartphones. Not having a mobile-friendly update isn’t just bad for user experience, but it’s also detrimental to search engine results. In fact, earlier this year on April 21, 2015 Google made a mobile friendliness update that started taking mobile-friendliness of websites into search rankings as well as explicitly labeling search results as “mobile-friendly” for searches performed on mobile devices. Mobile has become a very important aspect of marketing that not being mobile-friendly is detrimental to your business.
2. Marketing Automation
Marketing automation refers to automative repetitive marketing tasks, such as automatic follow-up emails or campaigns that involve sending content at time intervals. Marketing automation tools can increase conversion rates by over 50%. In the past, there were few software options and high price points, but the availability of automation software tools is increasing and prices have decreased. Now, even smaller companies on a limited budget can take advantage of marketing automation by using low-cost software like MailChimp.
For companies with a budget, major marketing automation tools include Hubspot and Pardot.
3. Visual, Video and Livestreaming Content
More visual content and videos is created and posted online now than ever. Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube usage continues to grow exponentially. Neww, free tools like Canva have made it easy to create beautiful graphics and free stock photo websites like Stocksnap have made it easy to find images for blog posts.
Livestreaming apps have been making a big splash, including Twitter’s Periscope which launched in March. Major brands already on Periscope include Adidas, RedBull and General Electric who are using the app to livestream events like behind the scenes and product demos.
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