With so many new marketing trends happening right now, we picked out some of the most important ones to keep an eye on going into the year 2014. Classic trends like great content and brand consistency remain important. But there are some new trends as well that will make 2014 a year to remember in the world of internet marketing.
Classic Marketing Trends: Creative Content
We will start with the internet marketing trend, although it isn’t really a trend anymore, but a necessity. Meaningful and well written content is essential to good internet marketing. Currently there is a huge demand for content that is educational, informative, inspiring, and even humorous. You can create quality content through:
- Blogs
- Infographics
- Video tutorials
- White papers
- Social media outlets
- Newsletters
- Much More
With all the channels available to spread your content, it is important to start thinking creatively and conceptually. This will carry you into 2014 with successful results from your content. Great content will carry you farther than any other marketing trend or best practice.
Mobile is a Must
Internet users are now using their phones to access sites a majority of the time. Your site and your content need to be mobile friendly going into 2014. Don’t lose clicks, visits, likes, or business because you haven’t taken the time to customize your content and your site to be responsive on a mobile device. Research shows that mobile users want:
· Easy to access information (1-2 clicks away from the home page)
· A site fitted to their small screen
· Finger friendly buttons (not too small)
· A search bar to quickly find what they’re looking for
· Simple scrolling in one direction (either sideways or up and down)
These simple changes can make your website easy to use and friendly for mobile users. All marketing trends that involve mobile users will remain important to remember going forward.
Appealing Visuals
Now, more than ever, users want to see more visual content. Text will always be important. But going forward into 2014, visuals and images can be incorporated into the text for a more appealing look. Pictures help break up the text and attract the eye. Images can be used to emphasize your key points. If a picture can speak a thousand words, then use them to show what you’re trying to tell your viewers.
An infographic is one of the practical marketing tools that can incorporate text and visual elements for a product that is attractive yet full of important information. We have found that blogs with a lot of social shares are the ones who utilize a well placed image within the body of the text.
Simpler is Better
Consumers are growing tired of the bright flashing lights, the never ending commercials, and the brand begging for their attention. In 2014, the shift from loud advertising to a more simple message will please customers immensely. Instead of screaming for your consumer to look at you, consider a more clean and minimalist approach. That doesn’t mean boring, it just means you have to get more creative. Identify what about your product helps people, and then focus on that. Use a simplistic message to show people what is special about you and your brand.
Social Media Continues to Explode
You’re probably sick of hearing about how important social media is, but we can’t neglect to mention it. With new social media platforms becoming popular every day, the world of social media marketing simply can’t stop expanding. For 2014, commit to branching out to some new social media channels. Find out where your consumers like to go beyond the standard Twitter and Facebook. Some of our favorites are:
· Google +
· Tumblr
All of these platforms give you new opportunities to create and share engaging content that attracts more and more people to your brand.
New BFF’s: SEO and Social Media
We haven’t mentioned SEO yet, but obviously it is a classic marketing trend and has been for years. However, this year and going into 2014, we find a new marketing trend that is now joining SEO and social media. Articles, videos, images, infographics, and other content types that receive high social media attention and sharing will carry a lot of weight going into 2014. Social sharing is a new way to brand something as trustworthy, interesting, and worth reading. If your users are tweeting, sharing, liking, commenting, and interacting with your content, your SEO effort within that content will skyrocket. This is one of the marketing trends for 2014 that will only get bigger and more important.
2014 is shaping up to be an exciting year for internet marketing. Stay on top of these trends in order to succeed in the new year!
