Top 10 digital marketing trends franchise owners should know for 2017

The New Year is approaching quickly and it’s time to prepare for another successful digital marketing year. In this article, we will discuss some of the top digital marketing trends franchise and small business owners should know for the year ahead.

Let’s dig in…

 

1. Cross Device Marketing Optimization

Mobile optimization should be a top priority for digital marketers in the upcoming year. Google officially stated that more searches are now done on mobile than on desktop. The company says that “more Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US and Japan.” Not to mention, Google has changed its algorithm to give mobile-friendly websites higher rankings on mobile search engine results. Thus, it’s vital that you understand the importance of cross device marketing and learn about the opportunities that come with mobile optimization, such as:

• Importance of Mobile/Mobile PPC Advertising
• The Power of “Near Me”

 

2. Local search = key to success for local businesses

According to Google, 2014 marked the first time more searches were conducted on mobile devices than a desktop and numbers have doubled in 2015. Local based marketing is becoming an essential key to the success of local businesses. More and more potential customers are searching for relevant businesses near them and by implementing local based marketing the opportunities to be discoverable in their search increases. Learn more about The Power of “Near Me” and WHY it’s important for network businesses here.

 

3. Email marketing stays alive

Have no fear, you can still use email marketing next year! Studies indicates that email marketing  still has one of the best ROI’s for companies, with 68% of organizations admitting it as either good or excellent. It’s important to provide relevant and valued information to your customers as opposed to trying to sell something to them. A successful email campaign is engaging and offers true value that will strengthen relationships, build trust, and increase conversions.

 

4. Enhance Facebook results with paid ads.

Did you know that 72% of online American adults use Facebook? Having such a large percentage of our population on one platform, Facebook has become the most effective and most popular social media channel for marketers to use. Facebook advertising offers affordable advertising and campaign options to target your specific audience and get your company in front of the right people. Currently, 86 percent of marketers in the 2016 Social Media Marketing Industry Report say they regularly use Facebook ads and 57 percent plan to broaden their use of Facebook advertising even more in 2017.

 

5. Create a Personalized User Experience

It’s becoming more difficult for marketers to acquire new customers and retain existing ones as content is overflowing onto the consumer. New information is constantly being thrown at us and yes…it can be overwhelming. Providing a personalized content experience creates a deep and direct connect with the consumer. According to Monetate, marketers notice an average increase of 20% in sales when implementing a personalized web experience for their customers.

 

6. Live Video Streaming

The popularity of video content will continue to rise in 2017 thanks to its ability to grab the consumer’s attention in an effective manner. Research shows that 70% of customers prefer to learn about a brand through content over advertisements and 60% of people prefer watching a video than reading text. Live streaming can build trust and strengthen relationships with your audience by showing them that you care. Live video streaming includes, but not limited to, customer support and Q&As, special announcements and product introductions, live events, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and much more!

 

7. Content Marketing

Content marketing is a trend researchers will continue to see an increase in because when done right, content marketing fuels inbound marketing techniques such as, engine optimization, triggered email sequences, and social media marketing. In the upcoming year, marketers should place more focus on personalization, storytelling, and the quality of the content they are producing rather than the quantity of customers they are trying to reach.

 

8. More Social Media Marketing

The word “social” in social media has begun to have a different meaning than in the past and it’s about time we modify our perception about it. Brands are now recognizing that social media can be used for other things aside from primarily selling their product or service these days. Often, companies use social media just to blast a surplus of content to their audience and most likely that content is being ignored. Social media is a marketing channel that should implement personalization and engagement with your consumers. What was once served as a way just to increase sales is now transforming to a brand experience itself.

 

9. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

With Google’s recent announcement about releasing a separate mobile search index, it’s particularly important in the year ahead to enhance your mobile marketing SEO techniques. What does this mean for you? Well, Google will now implement the mobile version of your site before the desktop version and use the mobile version as a primary source for search results and rankings. Hence, the importance of your cross device optimization.

 

10. Marketing Automation

Last, but not least…marketing automation! This kind of technology provides an automated way of landing and developing leads with strategies that aims to drive your network results. Google Trends reveals a growing interesting in Marketing Automation and it has the potential to replace content marketing, according to Smart Insights.

To learn how to effectively implement Marketing Automation in your 2017 marketing strategy, visit our website at centermark.yodle.com.

 

So, these are our top ten digital marketing trends for the New Year. Which of these are you currently using or eager to try? Thought of any other digital marketing methods? Comment below and let us know.

Happy Marketing and Happy New Year!