The year of 2020 was a year that will remain in history. Digital marketing has changed due to people’s changes in habits and routines during the pandemic. Marketing has transformed, and as we look into 2021, we have to take into consideration the changes in consumer behavior. This blog will go over the digital marketing trends of 2021.
Digital Marketing with COVID-19
COVID-19 changed consumer behavior and marketing strategies. It has forced businesses to adopt digital channels for product and service delivery as well as marketing. “Digital transformation” became a popular buzzword since March of 2020, and companies of all shapes and sizes are investing significant dollars into the migration to digital platforms, including:
- E-commerce
- Chatbots
- Apps
- Artificial intelligence
- Predictive analytics
- Omnichannel marketing
- Augmented and virtual reality
With all of the big changes in digital marketing, the best trends for digital marketing in 2021 include:
Inclusivity
As people are becoming more open and comprehensive, the importance of inclusivity is becoming bigger than ever before. Audiences, especially the young ones, want to see more optimistic depictions of equality in the content they consume. People no longer want to see the same homogeneous content we have been accustomed to from previous decades. In 2021, digital marketing includes media that cover a variety of:
- Races
- Religions
- Sexualities
- Conditions
Featured Snippets & No-click Searches
For years and years, the goal of SEO has been to rank a listing in the number one position spot on search results. For 2021, that’s going to change. The new goal will now be to get our listing in “position zero.” Position zero is Google’s “featured snippet.” This featured snippet functions differently than other search results entries. It is separated by a box and located on the very top. Most importantly, it displays extra, relevant information with the purpose of answering the question without the need of it having to be clicked on. Although it sounds counter-intuitive to forego someone clicking on your link, the recognition you get as a thought-leader outweighs a single click to your web page.
Sustainability
Similar to the trend of inclusivity, the people in 2021 are passionate about environmentalism. They want to make sure that the companies receiving their money are just as concerned about the environment as them. This goes well-beyond the market for green products, in fact, every brand can benefit by broadcasting their sustainable practices. The key is to communicate your sustainability through your branding and content. Ways you can communicate that includes:
- Displaying a banner on your website
- Discussing it repeatedly on social media
- Creating branded reusable tote bags
- Conveying green themes through your brand’s visual identity
Ad-Blockers
The digital marketing trends of 2021 aren’t all going to be positive. There will also be some obstacles to overcome, like ad blockers. In 2021, it is expected for 27% of internet users to be using ad-blockers. If your ads fall victim to ad blockers, your best strategy is to adapt. Change your advertising budget to suit other high-yielding campaigns. The younger audience doesn’t respond well to display ads anyway. Trying something like influencer marketing can work just as well or even better.
There will be some major changes with digital marketing in 2021. That is why one must be prepared for change and innovation. We hope this blog helps you get prepared for the digital marketing trends for 2021. At Fotex Labs, we know keeping up with the latest marketing trends is difficult. Focus on your business and let us help you generate leads, grow your business, and social media. Call us at (858) 228-7697 or contact us here.
