Digital marketing is always evolving, and in 2021, we saw a surge in activity and changes in the way consumers act, how social media is used and how automation is becoming increasingly popular.
In the past year there have been some significant updates in the world of digital including changes in e-commerce and the way we shop, the introduction of Meta, TikTok’s takeover and the rise in voice search.
Here, we take a closer look at some of the top digital marketing trends of the past 12 months and what they mean for 2022:
The world of e-commerce
With consumers now buying online more than ever as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, brands must keep up with the demand. According to Shopify, 150 million people made their first online purchase in 2020 and this number grew during 2021.
In 2022, retailers simply cannot afford to ignore ecommerce any longer. Having ecommerce websites with great user experience and navigation is key to keep users interested and buying from you. Social media platforms have also joined the ecommerce game with Facebook, Instagram and now TikTok including options to tag products in photos as well as just sharing links to a website.
Many Gen-Z consumers adopt a ‘I like it, I buy it’ attitude which highlights the need for fast loading speeds on websites and creating content that really draws consumers in, in the first few seconds of them seeing it.
The impact of social media
It goes without saying that social media plays a huge role in digital marketing, perhaps now more than ever. Consumers appreciate brands who are ‘real’ and honest with their audience and becoming more human and relatable has shown to be key in the successes of many businesses.
The rise of TikTok
TikTok recently overtook Google as the most popular website of 2021 – yes you read that right. If you asked what TikTok was back in 2019, most people would say they had no idea (or thinking you were talking about Ke$ha’s 2009 hit song). Now, the majority of people consume videos that originated there, whether it’s through Instagram reels or using the app itself.
2021 saw big brands join the TikTok game, hopping on trends and showing the world the personality behind the business. TikTok is such a great way to engage with your audience, in videos as short as five seconds!
Facebook > Meta
At the back end of 2021, Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was rebranding to Meta. This new name is said to be a better representation of what the company is working towards, so we can expect big things from the Metaverse in 2022 and beyond.
Updates in PPC
At the beginning of 2021, Google announced the removal of the broad match modifier keyword match type, which is now incorporated in the phrase match. As of July 2021 this change has been rolled out in all languages.
Google also announced that in June 2022, advertisers will no longer be able to create or edit expanded text ads. This doesn’t come as too much of a surprise for advertisers, with Google reps already encouraging the use of responsive ads over the past few years. Responsive ads are a more automated form of ad where you input up to 15 headlines and four descriptions. Then Google’s algorithm decides which ones to show to a user based on what it thinks will deliver the best results.
The need for marketing strategy
The internet has created a way for people to connect, engage with content, and purchase products they otherwise would never have had access to.
With the rise of social media and continual advances in technology, it’s more important than ever to have a digital marketing strategy. A solid marketing strategy ensures all your activities are considered and scheduled in advance to help you reach and attract more of your ideal customers and achieve your growth objectives. From lead generation to content marketing and creation, having a good marketing plan to back it all up is crucial for long-term business success.
How can QBD help your business in 2022?
With the ever changing landscape of the digital marketing world, it’s crucial for your brand to stay on top of the latest trends, how to appeal to your audience, and how to create great results for your business.
As your partner in digital growth, our approach is simple. We listen. We create. You grow.
Whether you’re looking to sell more, generate more leads, reach more people or raise awareness of your brand, the right digital partner in your corner can help you reach more, attract more and achieve more.
From websites and SEO to strategic marketing, lead generation, creative design and content, we’ve assembled an in-house team of creative and digital experts who love what they do and are passionate about solving our clients’ marketing challenges.
Give us a call to find out how we can help.