What We Learned in 2016, and What to Expect in 2017… Internet Marketing Trends for the New Year

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Happy New Year! Is it just me, or did 2016 seem to fly by?!

2016 was a big year in the internet marketing world. With technology constantly evolving, more options becoming available to marketers, and users being more aware of what they want to see and interact with, it is imperative that we know and understand what is going on in the industry in order to implement successful campaigns. So, what did we learn in 2016? Following are a few of the top internet marketing trends from this past year.

1. Personalization is powerful.
So long are the days of launching a vague internet marketing campaign and hoping it happens to stick with the people you most want to reach. Platforms such as Google and Facebook now make it easier than ever to implement personalization into your strategies. By pushing out content to a specific audience segment or displaying an ad to a certain group of individuals, you have a greater chance of success. This is a perfect instance of where bigger isn’t always better. Instead, it can be much more effective to personalize your marketing tactics to reach a small but specific group of people.

2. Users have embraced mobile and wearable technology.
It comes as no surprise that the use of mobile devices has skyrocketed. It has now become a rare sight to see someone who is not constantly glued to their phone. Research reveals that roughly 80% of users conduct internet searches using their smartphones, and approximately 50.3% of ecommerce web traffic comes from users on their mobile devices. Additionally, 2016 was the year that people really started using and interacting with their smart watches. While only 9% of internet users were searching via their smart watches, that number is only expected to grow. If you are ignoring the possibilities that exist with mobile and wearable technology, you are missing out.

3. Online users love videos.
The reality is that we all spend a lot of time online. Whether we sit at a desktop during the work day or scroll through our phone while relaxing at home, the internet and all that it offers is never far away. Creative and compelling videos are an excellent way to capture the attention of your audience. In fact, roughly 100 million hours of video content are watched on Facebook every single day. Additionally, it is estimated that roughly 55% of mobile data usage is spent watching videos.

 

Now that we have covered some of the hot topics from 2016, it is time to look forward to the new year. Following are a few of the top internet marketing trends that you should watch for in 2017.

1. Live video streaming can be a powerful tool.
Social media users are craving current and interactive content. What better way to let your followers know exactly what’s going on than through live video streaming? Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have now made it easier than ever to broadcast live to all of your followers. Plus, this also gives you a new way to directly interact with your followers, as they can ask questions and write comments while you are sharing your world with them.

2. It’s time to step up your content marketing efforts.
It’s old news that content is king when it comes to internet marketing, so everyone has been doing their best to create valuable and compelling content. However, with so much new content being generated on a regular basis now, the competition has gotten much stiffer. In order to really capture the attention of users and drive them to your content versus that of your competitors, it is now more important than ever to really step up your content marketing game.

3. Snapchat and Facebook are booming, while Twitter is losing its fan base.
There was a time not so long ago where Twitter was all the rage, but it is starting to fall down the list as new social media platforms continue to emerge. Individuals are remaining active on Facebook, and Snapchat (now called Snap) is really taking off. Social media users love new experiences, and Snap is providing a unique opportunity for businesses to take advantage of. If done right, Snap can be a powerful tool to add to your internet marketing strategy.

Here’s to new opportunities and great things to come in 2017! Feel free to contact me at any time to discuss how these trends will impact your businesses’ online visibility.