Online marketing is something that changes every single year, and consequently, your business needs to be able to adapt. Here are the main online marketing trends that you need to know about in 2016.
1. Video Ads Are Dominating
Video advertising is something that has been around for years. The difference this year is that video ads are becoming much more commonplace. Google has taken notice and has started putting videos higher in search rankings. A video takes up more real estate and has the ability in a short period of time to deliver far more meaning than words can.
With Google owning YouTube (which remains the largest video platform in the world), the marketing possibilities are endless.
2. Apps Are Becoming More Prevalent
One of the biggest changes pertaining to marketing in 2016 has to do with app development. This is the year when more businesses than ever are realizing the potential of producing a dedicated app. Part of the reason why is due to Google’s app indexing.
It’s important to get on board with this trend now because dedicated apps are steadily going to replace mobile websites in the next few years. After all, apps can do everything your website can do, and more.
3. Mobile Is Becoming Necessary
In 2015 Google released Mobilegeddon, which was an update made to actively penalize websites that had yet to provide a mobile version for users. The goal was, and still is, to force companies to provide a mobile-optimized version of their websites.
Google’s reasoning is sound; they want to provide a better experience for users. If you don’t already have a mobile marketing campaign with a mobile-optimized website, you are going to feel Google’s wrath soon. The need for mobile-friendly sites will become even more critical as smartphones continue to drive down desktop use.
4. Virtual Reality Is Here
Virtual reality has been something people have talked about for decades. With the release of tools such as the Oculus Rift, it’s become clear that VR has finally arrived. Businesses are starting to look at how they can utilize VR for marketing in order to provide a total immersion experience.
There’s still a chance that virtual reality could fizzle out as something that’s too expensive or something that people simply have no interest in, but for now it’s a good idea to see how you can leverage it.
5. The Internet of Things Is Coming Closer
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea that everyday devices can be connected to the Internet and used. For example, a glass window could be connected to the Internet to show products customers want to see so they don’t even have to step inside a store.
Businesses are starting to experiment with this new marketing option because anything could be connected with the Internet sooner or later.
Getting Ready for the Future
This year is showing a lot of futuristic developments so far. There’s no telling what could emerge next, and there’s no telling which businesses will take advantage of these trends and coming changes. The future is already here, and you need to prepare for it.
But what if you only have a small budget? In that case, you should stick to tactics such as video marketing and mobile optimization. Only if you have resources left over should you begin to experiment with the newest marketing options.
Which of these trends do you think will be the most influential this year?