The past year has really shaken things up in the world of digital marketing trends. As we come to the end of the first month of 2021, it is clear that the events of 2020 will continue to have an impact on digital marketing and change the way we digital marketers think about our campaigns and plan our strategies.
As a Digital Marketing Agency in London, we have kept our ears to the ground listening out for new creative ideas to inspire our digital marketing campaigns, and have been on the lookout for the latest up-in-coming trends to keep our clients on top.
Businesses have already been tailoring their digital marketing methods to appeal to these “sofa-surfers” by creating new online products, such as online one to one classes hosted by personal trainers unable to work at their gym, and big brands like Virgin Media adding data to people’s broadband plans to keep everyone connected. Read on for the top digital marketing trends we have picked out for 2021.
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Trend #1: Virtual events are here to stay
Virtual events took off and replaced normal events as we knew them during the height of the pandemic. They became a necessity in 2020 and as we move on into 2021 and years to come, many virtual events will continue to be relevant. This is not only because of the concerns around safety but also because of the lesson 2020 taught digital marketers. Virtual events allowed businesses to open up to a wider audience as they were far more easily accessible compared to traditional events.
They are not limited to when they can be held as more people are online for longer and can attend a virtual event at almost any time. Travel restrictions, cost of travel, and costs to host events are no longer a concern when it comes to virtual events, which means a much lower cost for more people and a higher ROI.
Trend #2: Social media will become a top channel for purchase
Facebook is a prime example of a social media platform making it easier for consumers to go from discovery to purchase all in one place. Another example is the shop feature on Instagram which took off during the height of the pandemic to support small businesses. We expect this feature to grow and grow to become even more relevant. Social media platforms are creating a seamless process for their users, making it much more simple to make purchases. It will be important for businesses to adapt in the best way they can to operate on social media platforms and stay ahead of the game.
Trend #3: Using AR in digital engagement
AR or augmented reality will become a key feature in digital engagement in the coming years with platforms like Facebook owning numerous augmented reality patients for example; Oculus. Augmented reality is still in its development stage but it will only be a matter of time before digital marketing experts will have to learn how to pair AR with digital engagement. Planning how AR can be used in digital engagement before it is made readily available will put your business in the lead when AR becomes a digital asset.
We recommend staying on top of digital marketing trends as it can help your business stay ahead of the competition and can also help maintain a digital marketing strategy that is relevant and effective.
If you liked reading this blog about digital marketing trends in 2021, why not find out how Apple’s iOS 14 update will affect your marketing. If you’re still keen to learn more about digital marketing, be sure to sign up to Monumental’s digital marketing course.
