The new year is here, so if you haven’t already shored up your local marketing business plan, now is the time to tick that box off your to-do list. As the buy local movement continues to grow, so does the need for a smart local marketing plan that engages your consumers where they are: online.
Here are three of the biggest internet marketing trends we see affecting local businesses in 2016. Some may seem like oldies, but that’s because they’re goodies, and the fact that they keep popping up proves that they’re here for the long haul.
Content Marketing Quality Will Rise
As more local companies recognize the benefits of high-quality content marketing, more will understand the need to invest in targeted content marketing that is interactive, engaging and shareable. Not sure how that works? Follow content marketing masters like IKEA, Birchbox, and Home Depot.
And, as you build out your content marketing for 2016, don’t forget to put together your social media marketing plan so you can maximize the SEO crossover benefits.
The Search Universe Will Expand
New technologies with skyrocketing adoptions rates (think wearables, digital assistants, and apps), means search can no longer be confined to traditional search engine functionality. The importance of social media (yes, 1.55 billion active users per month is a lot), the popularity of useful wearable technology (amazeballs: about 80% of Apple Watch users use Apple Pay to pay for things), and the need for voice-based queries (so Siri can find what you need), mean search (and SEO) will continue to change and expand.
It’s Mobile All the Way
Mobile payments for local businesses will continue to be a hot topic in 2016. As more businesses and technologies adopt mobile payment functionality, more consumers will expect it. And those consumers are going to expect easy-to-use, fully functional mobile websites and apps that make it easy to window-shop online too, not just pay.
Master these three areas in 2016 and your business is sure to steamroll 2017. Call us at 414-208-0700 or fill out our contact form today for a free consultation on how the Brew City internet marketing team can help.
