With 2015 just around the corner, it’s high time to look back on the Internet Marketing trends and updates that shaped the year. And consider how these will work towards your next strategy.
1. The Year of Parallax Scrolling.
Parallax scrolling websites took 2014 by storm! They’re what most business owners want for their online presence and what designers and developers talk about. (We even joined the bandwagon; check out our website here.)
This technique gives users a 3D-viewing effect as they scroll down the page, lending websites a fresh approach to depth, movement and interaction.
Remember to use it sparingly, though, and to let the elements work toward the end goal of converting website visitors to leads via content marketing offers.
2. “HubSpot COS” was the focus keyword.
HubSpot Content Optimisation System (COS) is the first integrated website platform that is mobile-friendly right from the onset. HubSpot COS gained popularity because it allows extensive personalization for your website visitors.
With over 2.4 billion mobile users worldwide and a growing appreciation for the inbound marketing method, its features were almost non-negotiable requirements in every website project.
3. Email is not dead.
Email marketing still tops methods for nurturing leads as it is less intrusive, expensive and time-consuming than phone calls. It will live on for years to come -- unless, it’s SPAM.
To create email marketing campaigns that succeed, send out emails to recipients who’ve subscribed to your newsletters i.e. only contact lists that you’ve organically grown, and not bought.
You should also personalize your email as much as you can by addressing recipients by their first names and by segmenting them according their interests and where they are in the buyers’ cycle. Your contacts and even your business development team will thank you for it.
4. The Panda strikes back, again.
Google’s Panda update has always been stirring up website and SEO firms. Since 2011, it has been working to suppress keyword-dense websites and reward those that provide high-quality content on a regular basis.
Throughout the year, online marketers have been focused on providing more quality content, turning their backs against article spinning and merely consolidating updates. And it appears that this will keep on working throughout 2015.
To address Panda updates, you can delete duplicate content from your website, regularly refine and create original and informative blog posts. Low-quality content can’t win against this algorithm that will just become more powerful than we could possibly imagine.
5. Facebook is Pay to Play.
The organic reach has been in a steady decline for almost a couple of years now. After all, with more people and businesses joining the social network, a spot in the Facebook newsfeed has become a commodity. To be exact, TechCrunch identified that only 6.51% of your Facebook fans can see your post. With this percentage, a little push might be necessary through a well-managed Facebook ad campaign.
The decline of organic reach shouldn’t cause panic, but it should get you rethinking, re-strategizing and repackaging. You can tweak your posts, explore other social media platforms that your buyer personas frequent and get a social media specialist to run your Facebook ads. These will ensure that your brand gets most out your efforts on Facebook.
With these trends, we hope you start 2015 right and with the right business partner. StraightArrow Corporation is the leading Creative Process Outsourcing agency in the Philippines. We offer inbound marketing, social media community management and website design & development services to business owners and digital agencies across the globe.
To find out how we can support your business, book a free, no-obligation consultation with our outsourcing experts.
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