Just when you thought you finally cracked the code on Search Engine Optimization, the world’s leading search engine, Google, decided to shake things up to further enhance user-experience and better serve their customers.

SEO is always going to be an evolving principle. The digital world is constantly changing and so are the ways we consume and search for information. Search engines like Google are compelled to switch up their algorithm to keep up with the needs of users.

In order to stay ahead of the game, businesses have to be updated with the best small business SEO practices so they can maintain a high search engine ranking. The SEO and digital marketing strategies are especially beneficial for small businesses who work on tight budgets.

In 2019, the following 7 trends will make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary internet marketing campaigns:

1. Mobile Optimization

According to Statista, the number of smartphone users in USA in 2017 was expected to reach 224.3 million. Global penetration of smartphones has exceeded 2 billion. More than 50% of Google searches take place on mobile devices. In 2015, more than 56% of consumer traffic to top US-based websites came from searches carried out on smartphones.

Users’ dependency for smartphones is transforming the digital world which is why leading search engines have begun to prioritize mobile optimization.

In 2018, Google rolled out mobile-first indexing. Instead of crawling through the content of desktop versions of websites, Google now uses its mobile version. This makes sense since more and more people are using their smartphones to conduct internet searches.

If a business’ website isn’t responsive and optimized, its search engine rankings will take a hit. Their internet marketing campaigns will HAVE to incorporate mobile marketing strategies to be successful.

2. Facebook Continues to Rule

You can’t have a successful internet campaign without the integration of social media marketing. Contrary to what people may think, Facebook is still the leading social media platform in the USA. With that being said, there’s been a dramatic shift in its user-base. About 41% of Facebook users are over 65 years of age.

If your marketing strategies are meant to target the senior demographic then there’s no better social media platform than Facebook.

Although the younger demographic may not be as active on Facebook as seniors, they do check up on it so companies may still benefit from having a presence on it.

3. Instagram is a Hit Amongst the Youth

Luckily for Facebook, they acquired their greatest threat before it became real competition. Instagram is an image and video-based social media platform that instantly clicked with the younger generation. With over a billion users already, it’s the world’s fastest growing social media platform.

What makes the platform so impressive is that it’s optimized for mobile devices, making it very simple to post and share photos and videos.

Businesses that are targeting the younger segment of the market need to make Instagram a priority.

4. Chatbots Are On a Rise

Chatbots are essentially a “virtual concierge.” They attempt to have natural conversations with humans primarily through chat windows and sometimes via verbal interactions.

Facebook is packed with chatbots. They are used for several tasks including information about the weather and carrying out basic support functions. They eliminate the need for hiring customer service personnel unnecessarily. In 2018, the use of chatbots increased sufficiently and their demand is expected to grow in the future.

5. Videos Are a Must

Even with the emergence of many more social media platforms, YouTube continues to be a force to be reckoned with. YouTube is king of video content and when it comes to effective marketing, no other content comes close to high-quality videos.

YouTube is undoubtedly the best way to consume videos but if you’re spending on creating video content, you should definitely share it on Instagram and Facebook too.

Videos have always been an effective marketing tool. Today, it is paired with user metrics that allow companies to target their material to very specific audiences.

Companies are able to convey heaps of information in a matter of minutes provided that they create a riveting video that has the potential to gain momentum on social media platforms.

Speaking of videos, live streaming is proving to be a very powerful mechanism, especially when it’s paired with influencer marketing. Working with a social media influencer to create a live video can help you reach out to millions of their followers—you just have to find the right one!

6. Don’t Undermine Content

Even with all the new-age marketing techniques, content marketing still remains a core component of digital marketing strategies.

The quality of written content has always mattered but today there’s more emphasis on the recipients of the content. Effective content marketing requires a greater understanding of the target market.

There’s a demand for specialized content that generates ROI as opposed to creating “fluff” pieces that do the bare minimum.

As you move forward with your digital marketing strategies, concentrate on creating relevant, search engine optimized content that benefits your readers in some way or the other.

7. Personalized Email Marketing

With the invention of social media, people had previously assumed that email will soon be forgotten but even today, email is the primary mode of communication for businesses all over the globe.

Email isn’t going anywhere and neither is email marketing. However, email marketing has evolved over the course of years. In today’s world, personalization matters and this stands true for email marketing too.

Generic emails may be ignored but personalized emails generate responses. Effective email marketing involves sending users information about they may have browsed over, a promotional price of an item they once clicked on or a demo-video of an item that may be of interest to them.

The more tailored your email marketing campaigns are, the more ROI they will produce.

Digital marketing is still a relatively new field. Businesses that are looking to reap its many benefits and stay ahead of competition should hire digital marketing professionals who have a proven history of generating positive results.

 

 

Joseph Dyson is a digital marketing professional working for SearchBerg. SearchBerg offers comprehensive digital marketing solutions such as professional SEO services, reputation management and social media marketing strategies for companies across various industries including e-commerce, real estate, healthcare, education, and retail.