Marketing is constantly changing, and those who can’t keep up get left in the dust. With so many options out there today, businesses are finding it particularly difficult to find a solution that fits their specific needs and budget. But, staying ahead of the competition and learning about the latest trends doesn’t have to be time consuming. All you need is an expert team by your side to guide the way.

While traditional broadcasting shouldn’t be dismissed, digital marketing has become an important part of any business plan. According to Mondo (2015) 80% of companies increased their digital marketing budgets in 2015. So what can you do to stay ahead of the curve and make sure your strategy is up to date? Try incorporating one or more of these five trends into your marketing plan for 2016.

Personalized Customer Experience

Creating a personalized experience can increase customer satisfaction and drive sales. By collecting data, brands can deliver relevant content based on a customer’s behavior and interests. Amazon.com is one of many top retailers that places emphasis on user experience, offering tailored e-mails that cater to the needs of a customer and a customizable homepage that displays recommended products.

Location-Based Mobile Marketing

Marketers are now using mobile advertising to reach on-the-go consumers based on their geographic location. Say, for instance, someone is out shopping and uses their mobile device to search online. He or she would be served an ad promoting a nearby retailer’s promotional offer. Best of all, the content delivered can be tailored to a customer’s specific behaviors and interests.

Influencer Marketing

When it comes to connecting with consumers through social media, brands are turning to key influencers in an effort to help market their product or service. Sponsored content, such as a dedicated blog or video, are used to build awareness and target specific demographics. Since companies employ the voice of personalities that their customers know and trust, influencer marketing can be more effective than traditional methods.

Marketing Automation

Whether you’re a small, medium or large organization, aligning your sales and marketing activities is never an easy task. Marketing Automation can help streamline the process, allowing you to deliver customized content, turn qualified leads into customers, and seamlessly track ROI. Website tracking also allows you to monitor visitors’ behavior and deliver content based on that behavior.

Behavioral/Retargeting Advertising

For many websites, the average conversion rate for first time visitors is 2%. That’s where behavioral and retargeting advertising comes in. It allows brands to serve visitors who left their website, ads about their product or service. Ads based upon their interests will follow them around as they surf the internet, encouraging them to come back and make a purchase.

Sources:

Mondo (2015) – http://adage.com/article/digital/80-companies-increase-digital-marketing-budgets/296814/