Digital Marketing Trends to Know About for 2021 | Fast Generations

With a new year comes new digital marketing trends to know about. Keeping an eye on these trends can help marketers identify new opportunities to tap into, and can help businesses reach new customers in new ways. As is the case with most recent years, social media marketing still dominates many of these trends, but behaviours are different this year, so don't recycle the same social strategy you have been using year on year.

Companies should be prepared to dedicate more resources to social media marketing in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the amount of time people spend online, and so, the way they browse and research products and services has also changed.

This shift in consumer behaviour creates new opportunities for marketers to increase their reach, and can help them interest new consumers but also re-engage long time consumers. If you have been neglecting your social media marketing, you really need to reconsider and give your channels from TLC.

Social media is not only a place to engage and entertain, but the platforms are making it easier for consumers to go right from discovery to purchase, without ever leaving the platform. Social commerce will continue to grow in 2021, so retail brands should adapt to these platforms and their new rules.

Social media marketing presents a whole host of advantages and benefits, some of which have already been mentioned. However, brands are starting to realise there is no point trying to be present on every social media platform, especially as the number of platforms available continues to grow. Instead, you should consider which platforms best align with your goals, and research where your target market are most likely to be, and then you should focus on those platforms exclusively.

If you own a small to medium business it is so important to ensure your local listings are verified and that you update them often. If you are a B2C business, who draws customers primarily on a local level, your Google My Business listing provides valuable information about your services and opening hours. A huge percentage of your customers will seek out services by searching ‘car dealer near me’ or ‘dentist in Wandsworth’ so it is vital that you show up in that space.

Whilst you are ensuring your business is Google listed you should also be mindful of localised SEO. Brexit may lead to companies being denied opportunities to access international markets, and likewise, the same goes to international companies trying to enter the UK market. Make sure your site is optimised for local searches, to capture potential customers in your local area.