Digital marketing trends change more than East Coast weather. As confusing and frustrating as it can be trying to keep up with all the changes, I try to look at them as opportunities to improve campaigns and stay ahead of competitors. Plus, keeping on my toes gives me the motivation to find new and innovative ways to capture new audiences. It isn’t always easy, but it sure is exciting when the hard work pays off.
As we look ahead to 2019, there are new digital marketing trends to have on your radar. Now is the time to do your research so that you can embrace these three strategies when the right time comes.
1. Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual and augmented reality can do wonders for your business. And, for the first time, VR technology is within reach for most businesses. Already, companies like Amazon and StubHub are using VR and AR to help customers make smarter, more confident purchase decisions.
For example, StubHub introduced an AR feature for the SuperBowl that allowed users to tour the stadium and surrounding city. Fans were able to plan their trip and envision themselves sitting at the game. On Prime Day, Amazon set up VR booths that let shoppers picture themselves using certain items.
As VR and AR become more mainstream, consider some of the ways that your brand can utilize this technology.
2. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence does not make things more robotic. It makes things more intuitive. As AI continues to prove itself for enhancing the user experience and providing personalized experiences, more businesses are finding ways to incorporate it into their digital strategies.
To use AI effectively, there is a bit of a learning curve. You’ll need to understand AI technologies and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Also, you’ll need to define your goals so that you can choose a technology that supports them. Do you want to automate business processes? Gain insight through data analysis? Engage with customers and employees?
3. Visual and Voice Search
There was a time when searches were only done through text, but this is no longer the case. Visual and voice search are becoming more common and deserve your attention. You are probably familiar with voice search – using your voice to perform searches without having to lift a finger. Visual search is a reverse search, using images to find text-based content.
Voice search will continue to have momentum as people rely on virtual assistants to play music, shop for products, browse the internet, ask questions and more. Giving people the opportunity to interact with your website through voice search makes their lives more convenient. In other words, be ready to optimize your site for humans and virtual assistants.
In just a couple of months, 2019 will be here. Will you be embracing any of these new strategies?
